South Gippsland Shire Council Tree Removal Services

South Gippsland’s Tree Removal Experts

Milone’s Tree Solutions provides professional tree care across Leongatha, Korumburra, Foster, Mirboo North and Meeniyan. Our qualified arborists draw on 20+ years’ experience to deliver safe tree removal on town blocks, farms and rural properties.

We also offer tree trimming, stump grinding and emergency tree services for damaged or unstable trees. We can explain local council regulations and where specialist tree lopping is appropriate.

Understanding South Gippsland Shire Council Tree Protection Requirements

South Gippsland Shire advises that a planning permit is often required for tree removal or pruning. Key triggers include native vegetation, certain overlays and title controls.

When You Need a Permit

A planning permit is required in the following circumstances:

• You propose to remove native vegetation on a property greater than 4,000 m².
• You propose to remove non-native vegetation from land affected by a Heritage Overlay or Environmental Significance Overlay.
• A permit condition, restriction or agreement on the title requires vegetation to be retained.
• Native vegetation removal is subject to Clause 52.17 state controls, and unlawful removal can attract penalties.
• Clause 52.37 Canopy Trees applies in most residential zones other than Low Density Residential. It covers a canopy tree over 5 m high, with a trunk circumference over 0.5 m at 1.4 m and a canopy of at least 4 m, in the specified frontage and rear-boundary locations.

South Gippsland has a significant-tree register covering individual trees and stands. Council material describes a proposal to apply a Vegetation Protection Overlay to most registered trees and amend the Heritage Overlay for Avenue of Honour trees, so check the current controls for the site.

When a Permit May Not Be Required

Some work may fall outside the stated triggers or qualify for an exemption:

• Native vegetation on lots of 4,000 m² or less falls outside the stated native-vegetation trigger, but other controls can still apply.
• Non-native vegetation on land not affected by a Heritage Overlay or Environmental Significance Overlay falls outside the stated permit triggers.
• Bushfire defendable-space exemptions relate to land in a Bushfire Management Overlay.
• In a designated Bushfire Prone Area, the 10/30 rule can allow clearing within 10 m of an eligible accommodation building and vegetation other than trees within 30 m, where it was constructed or approved before 10 September 2009.
• The 10/50 rule applies only in the greatest-hazard areas identified by the Bushfire Management Overlay. Some fence-line exemptions may also apply.

However, we always recommend contacting South Gippsland Shire Council 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 South Gippsland Shire Council. Report concerns about council-managed trees to council rather than arranging private works.

South Gippsland Shire Council Permit Application Process

South Gippsland does not publish a fee specifically for tree removal. The published statutory fees from 1 July 2025 include:

• VicSmart applications with an estimated development cost of $10,000 or less: $226.90
• VicSmart applications with an estimated development cost above $10,000: $487.50
• Class 1, use only: $1,496.10
• Class 11, development of $100,000 or less: $1,302.80

How to Apply

Apply through Council’s official Planning permits page and follow its vegetation-removal checklist. Provide the signed form, current title documents, fee, scaled plans, species, measurements, reason for removal, photographs and an arborist report where relevant. Include the written vegetation description and steps taken to avoid, minimise and offset removal. 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 South Gippsland Shire Council Resources

• Vegetation removal information
• Planning permits
• Application checklist for vegetation removal

Sources last checked: 7 August 2026.

Disclaimer:

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 South Gippsland Shire

South Gippsland’s farmland, gullies and rural townships support indigenous species identified in the regional plant guide:

• Strzelecki Gum (Eucalyptus strzeleckii): An indigenous species identified for the South Gippsland region.
• Mountain Grey Gum (Eucalyptus cypellocarpa): Listed in the regional indigenous plant guide for South Gippsland.
• Messmate Stringybark (Eucalyptus obliqua): An indigenous eucalypt recorded in the regional guide.
• Gippsland Red Gum (Eucalyptus tereticornis subsp. mediana): Identified in the South Gippsland indigenous species list.
• Swamp Gum (Eucalyptus ovata) and Manna Gum (Eucalyptus viminalis): Both are included in the regional guide, making correct species identification useful when planning work.
• Blackwood (Acacia melanoxylon): An indigenous species listed for the region.