Tree Clearing and Vegetation Management

It is an offence to cut down trees or clear vegetation on council or state controlled land, including roadsides.

Council is responsible for protecting the region's vegetation by:

• preventing needless damage to vegetation
• ensuring vegetation removal (including tree clearing) only happens when absolutely necessary.

Vegetation removal (tree clearing) on private property

It is an offence to damage or remove protected vegetation on private property and penalties may apply.

You need to get approval from council to remove or damage vegetation (trees and plants) if the vegetation is identified as protected.

Neighbouring trees and overhanging branches

The Queensland Government's Neighbourhood Disputes Resolution Act 2011 provides advice for neighbours to help resolve disputes about dividing fences and trees.

The Act states that proper care and maintenance of a tree is the responsibility of the owner of the tree. It provides choices for neighbours on how to resolve tree issues such as overhanging branches. 

According to the Act, it is up to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) to deal with these issues. 

Related pages

• Native Plants
• Weeds and Pest Animals
• Vegetation on Council-Controlled Land