Clearing trees in Redland — do you need approval?
Redland City Council's planning scheme — the Redland City Plan 2018 — 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 low density residential zone
Accepted if you meet the requirements. Clearing vegetation is accepted operational work under the local scheme unless an environmental overlay applies to your land, in which case a development application may be needed (separate state Vegetation Management Act rules may also 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low density residential zone | Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.7.1 | no overlay appliesIf not met: a development application with code assessment. | State vegetation check (not the council)Assessed against: Environmental significance overlay code, Waterway corridors and wetlands code |
| Low-medium density residential zone | Needs a development application (code assessment) Table 5.7.1 | clearing within the low-medium density residential zone where the environmental significance overlay appliesIf not met: no planning approval needed. | State vegetation check (not the council)Assessed against: Environmental significance overlay code |
| Medium density residential zone | Needs a development application (code assessment) Table 5.7.1 | clearing within the medium density residential zone where the environmental significance overlay appliesIf not met: no planning approval needed. | State vegetation check (not the council)Assessed against: Environmental significance overlay code |
| Character residential zone | Needs a development application (code assessment) Table 5.7.1 | clearing where the land is within the urban area and combined clearing exceeds 500m2, or where the environmental significance or waterway overlay appliesIf not met: no planning approval needed. | State vegetation check (not the council)Assessed against: Environmental significance overlay code, Waterway corridors and wetlands code |
| Emerging community zone | Needs a development application (code assessment) Table 5.7.1 | where within the environmental significance overlay (emerging community is listed) clearing is code assessableIf not met: no planning approval needed. | State vegetation check (not the council)Assessed against: Environmental significance overlay code |
| Tourist accommodation zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | Clearing is accepted under the scheme unless it falls within a trigger (e.g. an environmental overlay), in which case a development application may be required; state vegetation laws are separate. | State vegetation check (not the council)Assessed against: Healthy waters code, Infrastructure works code |
| Community facilities zone | Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.7.1 | no overlay appliesIf not met: a development application with code assessment. | State vegetation check (not the council) |
| Conservation zone | Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.7.1; Table 5.9.1 (Environmental significance overlay) | accepted if clearing is undertaken by Redland City Council or on Council land per a Council resolution; otherwise code assessable where an overlay appliesIf not met: a development application with code assessment. | State vegetation check (not the council)Assessed against: Environmental significance overlay code |
| District centre zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | Clearing is accepted under the scheme unless it falls within a trigger (e.g. an environmental overlay with clearing over 500m² in the urban area), in which case a development application may be required; state vegetation laws are separate. | State vegetation check (not the council)Assessed against: Healthy waters code, Infrastructure works code |
| Environmental management zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | operational work not involving clearing covered elsewhere is accepted; clearing native vegetation only becomes assessable under an overlay | State vegetation check (not the council) |
| Local centre zone | Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.7.1 | local scheme does not make clearing assessable in this zone unless an overlay applies (e.g. environmental significance or waterway corridors overlay)If not met: a development application with code assessment. | State vegetation check (not the council) |
| Low impact industry zone | Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.7.1; Table 5.9.1 (Environmental significance overlay) | operational work not listed is accepted; clearing native vegetation becomes code assessable only where an overlay applies and thresholds are exceededIf not met: a development application with code assessment. | State vegetation check (not the council)Assessed against: Environmental significance overlay code |
| Major centre zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | Clearing is accepted under the scheme unless it falls within a trigger (e.g. an environmental overlay with clearing over 500m² in the urban area), in which case a development application may be required; state vegetation laws are separate. | State vegetation check (not the council)Assessed against: Healthy waters code, Infrastructure works code |
| Medium impact industry zone | Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.7.1; Table 5.9.1 (Environmental significance overlay) | operational work not listed is accepted; clearing native vegetation becomes code assessable only where an overlay applies and thresholds are exceededIf not met: a development application with code assessment. | State vegetation check (not the council)Assessed against: Environmental significance overlay code |
| Mixed use zone | Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.7.1 | no overlay appliesIf not met: a development application with code assessment. | State vegetation check (not the council) |
| Neighbourhood centre zone | Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.7.1 | local scheme does not make clearing assessable in this zone unless an overlay applies (e.g. environmental significance or waterway corridors overlay)If not met: a development application with code assessment. | State vegetation check (not the council) |
| Principal centre zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | Clearing is accepted under the scheme unless it falls within a trigger (e.g. an environmental overlay with clearing over 500m² in the urban area), in which case a development application may be required; state vegetation laws are separate. | State vegetation check (not the council)Assessed against: Healthy waters code, Infrastructure works code |
| Recreation and open space zone | Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.7.1 / Table 5.9.1 Environmental significance overlay | accepted if undertaken by Redland City Council or on Council land per Council resolution within the recreation and open space zone; otherwise code assessable where an environmental significance overlay appliesIf not met: a development application with code assessment. | State vegetation check (not the council)Assessed against: Environmental significance overlay code |
| Rural zone | Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.7.1; Table 5.9.1 (Environmental significance overlay) | clearing on a lot with a dwelling house up to 500m2 combined is accepted; 500m2–2500m2 is accepted subject to requirements; over 2500m2 is code assessable (only where the environmental significance overlay applies)If not met: a development application with code assessment. | State vegetation check (not the council)Assessed against: Environmental significance overlay code |
| Specialised centre zone | Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.7.1 | local scheme does not make clearing assessable in this zone unless an overlay applies (e.g. environmental significance or waterway corridors overlay)If not met: a development application with code assessment. | State vegetation check (not the council) |
| Waterfront and marine industry zone | Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.7.1 | no overlay appliesIf not met: a development application with code assessment. | State vegetation check (not the council) |
Overlays that change the answer
- Heritage overlay. Operational work involving a change to landscaping, fencing or natural features of land referred to in the citation for a local heritage place becomes code assessable against the Heritage overlay code. (5.9.1 Heritage overlay)
- Environmental significance overlay. Operational work clearing native vegetation is code assessable (or accepted subject to requirements in the rural zone between 500m² and 2500m²) depending on the zone and area cleared; see the overlay for the full zone/threshold list. (5.9.1 Environmental significance overlay)
- Waterway corridors and wetlands overlay. Operational work clearing native vegetation in an area also within the Environmental significance overlay becomes code assessable; any clearing in this combined area is assessable. (5.9.1 Waterway corridors and wetlands overlay)
Worth knowing in Redland
The tables of assessment do not state numeric minimum lot sizes for reconfiguring a lot; the numeric minimums live in the Reconfiguring a lot code and individual zone codes (not reproduced here). Reconfiguring a lot is impact assessable in the Conservation, Environmental management, Character residential, Tourist accommodation and Rural zones, and in the Emerging community zone where any lot under 10ha is created; it is otherwise code assessable. Building work for a dwelling house (shed, pool, fence, extension, demolition) is generally accepted development under the planning scheme unless an overlay applies (see overlay_triggers) — but a building approval under the Building Act 1975 is still required, and dwelling-house building work in the Low density residential zone precincts LDR1–LDR5 (and dual occupancy/associated building work in LDR5) is accepted subject to requirements against the zone code. Secondary dwellings (granny flats) are treated as part of a 'dwelling house' under the QPP; a dwelling house containing a secondary dwelling still counts as one dwelling for assessment triggers in rural/emerging/environmental management/conservation zones. Where premises are in more than one zone or overlay, the highest category applies. The Transport noise corridor overlay is for information only (building work assessed under QDC Part 4.4). State Vegetation Management Act and Planning Regulation clearing exemptions operate separately from this scheme. There are no local plans in this scheme. Precinct variations (LDR1–5, MDR1–9, CF1–9) can change categories within a zone and should be checked against the relevant zone map.
What else you'll need
- State vegetation check (not the council)
More about Redland
- What can you build in Redland? Council overview and development applications
- Every Queensland zone explained, with what each council allows and the planning overlays that change the answer
- What Redland City Council charges for a development application, compared with other councils
- A Landbrief site report for your Redland address — every planning layer that applies to the lot
- Development applications in Cleveland
- Development applications in Redland Bay
- Development applications in Birkdale
- Development applications in Capalaba
- Development applications in Wellington Point
- Development applications in Alexandra Hills
- Development applications in Thornlands
- Development applications in Victoria Point
Other projects in Redland
Granny flatDual occupancySubdivideShed or carportExtensionPoolFence or wallHome businessTownhousesShop, café or officeDemolish
The statewide position on this project: Clear trees in Queensland.
Read from the Redland City Plan 2018 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.