Clearing trees in Central Highlands — do you need approval?
Central Highlands Regional Council's planning scheme — the Central Highlands Regional Council Planning Scheme 2016 (Amendment No. 7) — decides whether tree clearing needs a development application, and the answer depends on the zone your property is in. Below is what its table of assessment says for each zone; or check your own address.
In a general residential zone
No planning approval needed. Clearing native vegetation is accepted development under the local scheme as operational work not otherwise specified, but separate State vegetation management laws may still apply.
I don't know my zone — choose my council instead
The zone is on your rates notice, or a Landbrief site report will find it for you.
Zone by zone
Operational work (vegetation clearing). Residential zones first.
| Zone | What the table says | Conditions | What you'll need |
|---|---|---|---|
| General residential zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | Clearing native vegetation is accepted development under the local scheme as operational work not otherwise specified, but separate State vegetation management laws may still apply. | State vegetation check (not the council) |
| High density residential zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | Clearing native vegetation is accepted development under the local scheme as operational work not otherwise specified, but separate State vegetation management laws may still apply. | State vegetation check (not the council) |
| Rural residential zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | Clearing native vegetation is accepted development under the local scheme as operational work not otherwise specified, but separate State vegetation management laws may still apply. | State vegetation check (not the council) |
| Emerging community zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | Clearing native vegetation is accepted development under the local scheme as operational work not otherwise specified, but separate State vegetation management laws may still apply. | State vegetation check (not the council) |
| Township zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | operational work not otherwise specified | State vegetation check (not the council) |
| Centre zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | Clearing vegetation is accepted development under the local scheme unless an overlay applies (separate State vegetation laws may still apply). | State vegetation check (not the council) |
| Community facilities zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | operational work not otherwise specified | State vegetation check (not the council) |
| Environmental management and conservation zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | operational work not otherwise specified | State vegetation check (not the council) |
| Industry investigation zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | operational work not otherwise specified / only minor operational work | State vegetation check (not the council) |
| Industry zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | operational work not otherwise specified / only minor operational work | State vegetation check (not the council) |
| Low impact industry zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | operational work not otherwise specified / only minor operational work | State vegetation check (not the council) |
| Neighbourhood centre zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | Clearing vegetation is accepted development under the local scheme unless an overlay applies (separate State vegetation laws may still apply). | State vegetation check (not the council) |
| Principal centre zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | Clearing vegetation is accepted development under the local scheme unless an overlay applies (separate State vegetation laws may still apply). | State vegetation check (not the council) |
| Recreation and open space zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | operational work not otherwise specified | State vegetation check (not the council) |
| Rural zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | operational work not otherwise specified | State vegetation check (not the council) |
| Special industry zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | operational work not otherwise specified / only minor operational work | State vegetation check (not the council) |
| Specialised centre zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | Clearing vegetation is accepted development under the local scheme unless an overlay applies (separate State vegetation laws may still apply). | State vegetation check (not the council) |
Overlays that change the answer
- Biodiversity areas, waterways and wetlands overlay. No change to category, but material change of use (other than in an existing building), reconfiguring a lot and operational work (other than advertising devices) on affected land must be assessed against the Biodiversity areas, waterways and wetlands overlay code. (Table 5.8.1 Overlays — Biodiversity areas, waterways and wetlands overlay)
- Water resource catchments overlay. No change to category, but within a water resource catchment area listed higher-impact uses and reconfiguring a lot increasing lot numbers, and excavating/filling over 50m³ not associated with an MCU or ROL, must be assessed against the Water resource catchment overlay code. (Table 5.8.1 Overlays — Water resource catchments overlay)
Worth knowing in Central Highlands
Minimum lot sizes, frontages and rectangular developable areas for each zone are set in Table 8.4.3.3.2 (Minimum lot size and dimensions), which was not reproduced in the supplied material, so numeric minimums could not be captured; the Reconfiguring a lot code (section 8.4.3) and Table 8.2.2 govern subdivision of one lot into two. Under the Regulation, subdivision of one lot into two lots is always code assessable (Schedule 10). The Rural zone contains Gemfields Core, Gemfields Frame and Gemfields Balance precincts which materially change the category of assessment for many uses (e.g. dwelling unit, shop, office, food and drink outlet, community uses) — owners in those precincts should check precinct-specific rows. Building work for a dwelling house and Class 10a outbuildings is generally accepted or accepted subject to requirements across all zones (and fully accepted for Class 10a in the Rural zone outside the Gemfields precincts); a building approval under the Building Act 1975 is still required separately. Development that is accepted does not need a development application. Home-based business is accepted subject to requirements in most zones provided it is not a high impact home-based business activity. Where a use is not listed for a zone the 'all other uses / undefined use' row applies, making it impact assessable. Overlay effects apply only to the part of the premises affected, and the highest applicable category prevails where zone and overlay differ. State Vegetation Management Act clearing controls operate separately from the scheme's operational work provisions.
What else you'll need
- State vegetation check (not the council)
More about Central Highlands
- What can you build in Central Highlands? Council overview and development applications
- Every Queensland zone explained, with what each council allows and the planning overlays that change the answer
- What Central Highlands Regional Council charges for a development application, compared with other councils
- A Landbrief site report for your Central Highlands address — every planning layer that applies to the lot
- Development applications in Emerald
- Development applications in Blackwater
- Development applications in Capella
- Development applications in Springsure
- Development applications in Mackenzie
- Development applications in Rolleston
- Development applications in Bluff
- Development applications in Comet
Other projects in Central Highlands
Granny flatDual occupancySubdivideShed or carportExtensionPoolFence or wallHome businessTownhousesShop, café or officeDemolish
The statewide position on this project: Clear trees in Queensland.
Read from the Central Highlands Regional Council Planning Scheme 2016 (Amendment No. 7) tables of assessment. General information, not advice. The council's planning scheme and the Planning Act 2016 decide — confirm with the council or a town planner before you build.