Mornington Peninsula Shire Tree Removal Services

Mornington Peninsula’s Tree Removal Experts

From coastal blocks in Mornington and Mount Martha to treed properties in Mount Eliza, Rosebud and Somerville, Milone’s Tree Solutions provides considered tree work across the Peninsula. Our qualified arborists bring more than 20 years’ experience, with planning controls considered before work begins.

We provide tree removal, tree trimming and stump grinding. For urgent problems after a storm or tree failure, our emergency tree services can help assess the situation and plan the next step. You can also review our guidance on local council regulations and tree lopping before deciding on a scope of work.

Understanding Mornington Peninsula Shire Tree Protection Requirements

Planning controls may mean you need a planning permit before vegetation is removed, lopped or destroyed. The Shire protects both native and exotic vegetation, and requirements can depend on lot size, an overlay, a planning condition or the location and dimensions of the tree. Start with the Shire’s tree and vegetation removal guidance for property-specific checks.

When You Need a Permit

A planning permit may be required where:

• your property is over 0.4 hectares and native vegetation is affected under Clause 52.17;
• the property is covered by an Environmental Significance Overlay, Vegetation Protection Overlay, Significant Landscape Overlay, Heritage Overlay, Erosion Management Plan Overlay, Public Acquisition Overlay or Special Use Zone Schedule 1;
• VPO2 applies, as it requires a permit to remove, destroy or lop any vegetation and protects culturally significant Monterey or Radiata Pine treelines;
• SLO1 applies in ridge and escarpment areas where vegetation is an important landscape element;
• tree removal, vegetation clearing, major-root cutting, soil changes, burning or related building and access works are proposed; or
• a canopy tree is affected by Clause 52.37. In most residential zones, this covers a tree over 5 m high, with a trunk circumference over 0.5 m and a canopy diameter of at least 4 m, in the defined locations.

When a Permit May Not Be Required

Some exemptions can apply, but they are not blanket permissions:

• In ESO1, removal, destruction or lopping of non-native vegetation, or native vegetation specified in the Clause 52.17 schedule, does not require a permit.
• The 10/30 bushfire rule may allow clearing within 10 m of an eligible existing accommodation building and clearing of non-tree vegetation within 30 m, but only on land in a designated Bushfire Prone Area and where the building meets the stated eligibility conditions.
• The 10/50 rule applies only in areas of greatest bushfire hazard identified by the Bushfire Management Overlay.
• Planning scheme exemptions may allow some native vegetation removal to construct or maintain a boundary fence, subject to the relevant conditions.
• Vegetation removed in accordance with a Council-issued Fire Prevention Notice does not require a permit.

However, we always recommend contacting Mornington Peninsula Shire or consulting with our professional arborists to confirm whether a permit is required for your specific situation.

Note: trees on nature strips, road reserves and parks are managed by Mornington Peninsula Shire. Report concerns about council-managed trees to council rather than arranging private works.

Mornington Peninsula Shire Permit Application Process

The Shire’s 2025–26 fee schedule lists the following statutory VicSmart application fees:

• $226.90 where the cost of development is $10,000 or less.
• $487.50 where the cost of development is more than $10,000.
• $226.90 for Class 10 VicSmart other applications.

How to Apply

Lodge through the Shire’s Apply for planning applications page after checking the controls for your land. For vegetation removal, the Shire identifies a planning permit application form, a detailed site plan and a current Certificate of Title as required documents. Include clear tree species, measurements, the reason for proposed work and photographs where relevant, and arrange an arborist report if it will help explain the tree’s condition or risk. Milone’s Tree Solutions can prepare a comprehensive arborist report to support your application, and our tree removal permit advice service can guide you through the process.

Official Mornington Peninsula Shire Resources

• Tree and vegetation removal on your property
• Apply for planning applications
• Vegetation Protection Fact File

Sources last checked: 7 August 2026.

The information provided on this page is intended as general guidance only. Permit requirements for tree pruning, removal, and any works vary between local councils and may change without notice. If in doubt, or for the avoidance of doubt, Milone’s Tree Solutions strongly advises all customers to conduct their own due diligence and contact their local council directly to confirm whether permits, consents or approvals are required before proceeding with any tree works. Milone’s Tree Solutions accepts no responsibility or liability for any loss, penalty, or action resulting from reliance on the information contained herein or from failure to obtain the necessary permits prior to works being undertaken.

Common Trees Across Mornington Peninsula Shire

The Peninsula’s coastal and hinterland landscapes include indigenous trees and culturally significant pine treelines. Identify these species before work:

• Moonah (Melaleuca lanceolata): listed in the local indigenous plant guide at about 8 m by 6 m.
• Coast Manna-gum (Eucalyptus viminalis subsp. pryoriana): listed in the local indigenous plant guide.
• Coast Banksia (Banksia integrifolia subsp. integrifolia): included in the local plant guide.
• Drooping Sheoak (Allocasuarina verticillata): listed in the local plant guide.
• Messmate Stringybark (Eucalyptus obliqua): documented in the local plant guide.
• Monterey or Radiata Pine: non-indigenous treelines are expressly protected in VPO2 as culturally significant elements of the Peninsula landscape.