The answer is: it depends….
On the Gold Coast, some trees are protected under the Gold Coast City Council's planning regulations. Whether approval is required can depend on several factors, including:
The tree species.
The size and age of the tree.
Whether the property is affected by vegetation protection or environmental overlays.
If the tree is part of a heritage-listed property or protected habitat.
Whether the tree is considered a significant native species.
Clear guidelines where you can remove a tree on a residential, privately owned property on the Gold Coast is if the tree is situated within 1.5m of a fence (boundary or pool) or within 3m of a dwelling (must be council approved).
In some situations, you may be able to prune or remove a tree without council approval, particularly if it poses an immediate risk to people or property, is dead, or falls under an exemption. However, these situations are assessed against specific criteria, and it's important not to assume an exemption applies.
Removing or significantly pruning a protected tree without the necessary approval can result in significant penalties, so it's always worth checking before any work begins.
