Whitehorse Tree Controls Extended

The Hon Richard Wynne MP, Minister for Planning has extended the expiry date of interim tree protection controls in the Whitehorse Planning Scheme.

The interim tree protection controls apply to all residential zoned land in the City of Whitehorse that is not already covered by a permanent Significant Landscape Overlay. The temporary control requires landowners to obtain a permit to remove, destroy or lop a tree 5m or greater in height and/or with a trunk circumference of greater than 1.0 metre at 1 metre from the ground.

The tree protection controls approved by the Minister through Amendment C214 were due to expire on 30 June 2019. The Minister has approved an extension of the controls for a further 12 months until 30 June 2020.

Whitehorse Mayor Councillor Bill Bennett said the extension of the interim controls will allow Council to undertake a planning scheme amendment to apply the controls on a permanent basis.

“The controls still apply to all land included in the Neighbourhood Residential Zone, General Residential Zone, Residential Growth Zone and Low Density Residential Zone that are not already covered by the permanent Schedules 1-8 of the overlay,” Cr Bennett said

“The interim controls protect established vegetation and landscape character of the municipality while Council exhibits Amendment C219 to the planning scheme to apply the tree protection controls permanently.

“It is important to provide some level of protection in the interim while this amendment is underway.”

About 60,000 properties across Whitehorse are covered by the interim schedule to the Significant Landscape Overlay.

It is expected that the exhibition period to introduce permanent tree controls to properties in Whitehorse will commence in mid-July. Affected landowners and occupiers will receive a letter about exhibition of the amendment and how to make comment.

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