https://www.planning.vic.gov.au/guides-and-resources/guides/all-guides/protecting-and-enhancing-our-tree-canopy-for-a-greener-victoria Click on link for further details. Meanwhile CCS has been contacted to be involved with a new initiative as follows. “This November, we will be launching InCanopy: a metropolitan-wide Tree Ledger built on 15 years of aerial photography and LiDAR data from the Victorian Government’s CIP program. In the new year we hope to work with the LiDAR data relating to removals, new plantings, and growth of existing trees — covering the period 2011 to 2025.”
“On 15 September 2025, Amendment VC289 introduced clause 52.37 (Canopy trees) to all planning schemes. The clause requires a planning permit to remove, destroy or lop a canopy tree in specific circumstances. The requirement applies to all residential zones (except for the Low Density Residential Zone).
The new clause supports Action 12 of Plan for Victoria and state planning policies which seek to protect and enhance canopy tree cover in urban areas to reduce the impacts of urban heat on human health and wellbeing.
The rules to protect and enhance canopy trees on residential land are designed to balance canopy tree protection and minimise impacts on housing yield, recognising government policy including Victoria’s Housing Statement.” synopsis copied from Planning.gov.au