Vegetation Protection Orders
Vegetation Protection Orders (VPO) under Local Law 6 are one of the ways our natural environment is protected. Many areas of Redland City are already covered by vegetation protection to minimise the impact of the ‘urban footprint’ and retain the unique environmental heritage of our beautiful city.
The VPO Process
Local Law 6 – Protection of Vegetation protects certain types of vegetation on private property. It does this through a specifically declared Vegetation Protection Order (VPO) that protects specific vegetation on freehold land and is made by resolution of Council. A VPO identifies the vegetation to be protected and the criteria for its protection.
Anyone can apply to Council for a VPO to be declared over specific vegetation on any freehold land using Council's application form. It is a requirement that the land owners consent is obtained prior to lodging the VPO application form.
An interim Vegetation Protection Order is placed on vegetation and remains in force for six months pending Council notification to confirm, modify or revoke the VPO.
As part of the VPO process, a written notice of the order must be sent to the owner of the land on which the vegetation is situated and a public notice of the order must be advertised in a local newspaper. This public notice invites written submissions for or against the order. However, the submissions must be related to the question of whether the order is consistent with, and justified in the light of, the objects of Local Law 6.
Pre-application notice
As part of the VPO application process, the applicant must identify the 'significance' of the vegetation they are wishing to protect. Under Local Law 6, 'significant' vegetation can be defined in 19 different ways. When completing the form, applicants are encouraged to refer to the definition examples to ensure they choose only the definitions that pertain to the vegetation in question.
VPO applications are considered on the strength of the 'significance' definition chosen, not the quantity.
Local laws and policies designed to protect the Redland's environment
This local law provides the mechanism for protecting vegetation in the Redlands. If you are planning to remove or lop vegetation, you should consult this local law.
Useful links