Remove, Destroy or Lop a Tree.
VicSmart is a simplified planning permit process. Only applications of certain classes are eligible for VicSmart.
Please complete the following questionnaire and checklist to be submitted with your application including
documentation required in the checklist at the front counter of Council’s office located at 100 Brougham Street,
Geelong. Once you arrive at the Brougham Street office request to speak with the VicSmart Planner who will
then check your documentation to ensure your application is not missing any information and that the
information supplied is correct
Meeting with the VicSmart Planner is important prior to lodging as applications must have all of the required
documentation set out in the checklist when lodging. If you do not supply all the documentation or correct
documentation, your application will not be accepted and you will then be asked to submit at a later date once
all information is prepared and ready.
1.
Is the subject site within one of the following overlays;
o
o
o
o
Environmental Significance Overlay (ESO)
Vegetation Protection Overlay (VPO)
Significant Landscape Overlay (SLO)
Heritage Overlay (HO)
YES
NO
*If you answered yes, continue to question 2
*If you answered no, your application is not eligible for VicSmart
2.
Do you require a planning permit under Clause 52.17 (Native Vegetation)?
YES
NO
*If you answered no please identify the exemption ……………………………………………………………. …
*If you answered yes, your application is not eligible for VicSmart
Continued on next page…
3.
Are you applying to remove a tree in a Heritage Overlay where tree controls apply in the Schedule to
the Heritage Overlay?
YES
NO
*If you answered no, continue to question 4
*If you answered yes, your application is not eligible for VicSmart
4.
Are there any other provisions under the City of Greater Geelong Planning Scheme that trigger the
need for a planning permit?
YES
NO
NOTE: If you answered NO to this question; your proposal is eligible to be lodged as a VicSmart
application - continue to the “What’s Next?” section.
NOTE: If you answered YES to this question; your proposal may not be eligible to be lodged as a
VicSmart application. For further information please contact the Statutory Planning Department to
clarify if you are unsure of any other planning requirements.
WHAT’S NEXT?
You should now be able to determine whether your proposal is eligible to be submitted as a VicSmart
application, however; if you are still unsure you can contact the Statutory Planning Department via the details
below to discuss.
If your application is eligible for VicSmart lodgement, continue to the next page to complete the checklist which
is to be submitted when lodging your application along with this questionnaire and relevant supporting
documentation.
General Enquiries:
If you have any further enquiries please contact the Statutory Planning Unit directly on the contact details below or
visit 100 Brougham Street, Geelong between 8:00am to 5:00pm, Monday to Friday.
Telephone: (03) 5272 4456
Facsimile: (03) 5272 4486
Email: statplanning@geelongcity.vic.gov.au
Remove, Destroy or Lop a Tree.
- PRE-APPLICATION MEETING Have you attended a pre-application meeting?
YES
NO
If yes, who attended the meeting?
……………………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………
Date meeting held:……………………………………………
- INFORMATION REQUIREMENTS For all Vic Smart planning applications the following MUST be provided:
Provided by
Applicant
Checked
Planner
by
A completed Vic Smart application form
Signed declaration on the application form
A full current copy of Title for the land, including current ownership details, title plan and
a full copy of any registered covenants, restrictions or Section 173 Agreements that
apply to the land. (The Copy of Title must be clearly legible and no older than 30 days.)
A copy of Title can be obtained from www.land.vic.gov.au.
The prescribed application fee (refer to fee schedule)
- ACCOMPANYING INFORMATION *Note: The council may reduce the information that you need to provide but cannot ask for more information than listed.
Please check the information requirements with council. The following information must be provided as appropriate.
If the tree to be removed, destroyed or lopped is identified as a significant tree
in the schedule to the overlay, a report prepared by an arborist.
3 copies of a layout plan drawn to scale and fully dimensioned showing:
 The location, shape, size and slope of the site.

The location of the tree to be removed, destroyed or lopped.

The location and type of other significant vegetation on the site.

The location, species and height of any significant trees that have
been removed or approved to be removed in the past 3 years.
A written statement that describes:
 The species, height and trunk girth of the tree to be removed,
destroyed or lopped.
 The reason the tree is to be removed, destroyed or lopped.
 If provision is to be made to replace the tree elsewhere on the land.
 If the tree is to be lopped, the extent of lopping proposed.
Any impacts on the significance of the area.
A photograph of the tree to be removed, destroyed or lopped.
Note:
 To lop a tree in a Heritage Overlay also complete Heritage Overlay Checklist.
…………………………………………………
…………………………………………………
Signed by Applicant
Signed by Planner
…………………………………………………
…………………………………………………
Print Name
Print Name
………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………
Date
Date
General Enquiries:
If you have any further enquiries please contact the Statutory Planning Unit directly on the contact details
below or visit 100 Brougham Street, Geelong between 8:00am to 5:00pm, Monday to Friday.
Telephone: (03) 5272 4456
Facsimile: (03) 5272 4486
Email: statplanning@geelongcity.vic.gov.au