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Native vegetation is defined as plants that are indigenous to Victoria, including trees, shrubs, herbs and grasses.
Removal of native vegetation species (including lopping, trimming or pruning) typically requires planning permit approval under the East Gippsland Planning Scheme, unless an exemption applies. Unauthorised clearance of native vegetation is illegal under the Planning and Environment Act 1987.
The Victorian Government’s policy for native vegetation is outlined in the Guidelines for the removal, destruction or lopping of native vegetation by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning. This is an incorporated document in all Victorian Planning Schemes. East Gippsland Shire Council must consider this when assessing proposals to clear vegetation.
The native vegetation control regulations have a range of exemptions in the East Gippsland Planning Scheme. See Clause 52.17 (Native Vegetation) of the Scheme for further information.
The Scheme provides for vegetation protection in some areas, and there may also be agreements or covenants on land titles relating to vegetation protection. Before removing or trimming native vegetation, you should contact Council’s Planning Department on 5153 9500 to determine exactly what controls apply to your land before starting vegetation removal as a planning permit may be required.
For more information view the Victorian Government website on native vegetation.
Council owned or managed land includes many roadsides, parkland and foreshore reserves in urban areas. Please gain consent before removing vegetation on someone else's land. For Council land, you need written consent before any vegetation is removed (and notify us as soon as practicable after the event if it was an emergency).
Application for Consent to Remove Vegetation from Council-owned or Managed Land
View information on recommended species and find links to more detailed advice.
Council's Revegetation Species Guide is a basic list of common East Gippsland plants for revegetation projects. Also available is an indigenous tree species list and a native (but not locally indigenous) tree species list. These trees and shrubs are suitable for revegetation as they're unlikely to become weeds.
Useful local revegetation links:
Some of the local nurseries that may be able to supply native vegetation species, include:
Ned Rickard
11 Thomas Road, Newmerella
Phone: 0410 006 447 or (admin) 0410 025 529
Email: snowyriverriparian@gmail.com
Phone: (03) 5157 8325
Mobile: 0407 852 599
Email: ffp@hotkey.net.au
Michelle Wickfeldt
260 Andersons Lane, Bairnsdale
Phone: (03) 5152 2100
Fax: (03) 5152 1367
Email: moormurng@wideband.net.au
Sue Agnew
69 Sebastopol Hill Road, Omeo
Phone: (03) 5159 1276
Mobile: 0428 591 276
Email: omeosown@yahoo.com.au
John Topp
Dow Road, Valencia Creek
Phone: (03) 5145 4468
Email: gippsplants@gmail.com
Anne-Marie Higgins
57 Paynesville Road, Paynesville
Phone: (03) 5156 7466
Mobile: 0412 560 338
Email: emailrgc@bigpond.com
John Ingram
115 Racecourse Road, Lindenow
Phone: (03) 5157 1650
Mobile: 0427 647 290
Vicky and Richard Vuat
345 Stephenson's Road, Nicholson
Phone: (03) 5156 8151
Mobile: 0427 597 607
Email: wildseed.office@gmail.com
www.wildseednursery.com.au
Open by prior arrangement
Adam Stables
56 Briagalong – Stockdale Road, Briagalong
and Sheehan Road, Yarragon
Phone: (03) 5145 5627 or (03) 5634 2260
Mobile: 0419 525 224
Email: plants@eucacia.com.au
www.eucacia.com.au
Stephen and Cindy McMahon
70 Perry Street, Orbost
Phone: (03) 5154 1122
Mobile: 0423 169 635
Email: moonshinemadness@aapt.net.au
Please contact us if you would like to be added or removed from the list.
Our Roadside Vegetation Strategy sets the scene for the management of vegetation on rural roadsides. We are responsible for managing some 3600 km of roadside in a sustainable manner.
The strategy identifies our obligations and guides activities to ensure that our roadsides are well managed.
The Roadside Vegetation Strategy intends to:
Each year we clear vegetation away from powerlines on Council roads.
Our process for this, including how we inform affected residents, is outlined in our Electric Line Clearance Management Plan.
Vegetation is a valuable asset to our community, providing measurable benefits in both our urban and rural environments. Vegetation plays an important role in aesthetics, climate control, habitat, physical screening and land values.
The municipality of East Gippsland Shire has vegetation of local, state, national and international significance. Council is committed through its planning scheme to the preservation and protection of significant native, indigenous and introduced vegetation.
This commitment is outlined in our Urban Tree Management Procedure 2021-2023.