Native Vegetation Isn’t Just a Technicality

Whether you’re developing rural land, replacing a dwelling, or planning a subdivision in regional Victoria, native vegetation matters. Councils and referral authorities are increasingly strict about biodiversity impacts, and failing to get this right can delay or derail your application.

At EDQ, we help you navigate these complex requirements, from understanding when permits or offset obligations apply, to coordinating sub-consultants and presenting a strong case to Council.

When Do Native Vegetation Rules Apply?

Native vegetation controls can apply in a wide range of planning contexts, especially when one or more of the following are present:

• Environmental Overlays such as the Environmental Significance Overlay (ESO), Significant Landscape Overlay (SLO), or Vegetation Protection Overlay (VPO)
• Clause 52.17 triggers (e.g. removal, destruction, or lopping of native vegetation on land >0.4 ha)
• Bushfire Management overlays where defendable space requirements may affect vegetation
• Road access changes or new driveways that cut through treed areas
• Subdivisions in rural or peri-urban areas
• Removal of mature trees even on smaller lots, if they’re indigenous or protected

If you’re unsure, we can advise upfront whether native vegetation provisions are likely to apply.

Common Mistakes (and How We Avoid Them)

Clients often come to us after encountering roadblocks such as:

• Underestimating the significance of trees or groundcover
• Failing to account for biodiversity values during design
• Not including the right information in the permit application
• Using the wrong type of consultant for biodiversity assessments
• Assuming a vegetation removal exemption applies when it doesn’t

EDQ helps you avoid these mistakes by building environmental considerations into your project from the outset and ensuring your documentation is accurate, consistent, and defensible.

How We Support You

We tailor our approach depending on the complexity of your project. Our services include:

• Preliminary desktop assessment to flag potential vegetation constraints
• Referral management for overlays, biodiversity offsets, and DELWP triggers
• Coordinating environmental sub-consultants, such as:
  • Biodiversity reports (Flora and Fauna Assessments)
  • Tree Management Plans
  • Bushfire Management Statements
  • Native Vegetation Removal reports
• Preparation of planning arguments to minimise offset obligations
• Responding to RFIs from Council or referral authorities with clear, evidence-based responses

We work closely with trusted environmental specialists like CHEC (Central Highlands Environmental Consultancy) and can connect you with arborists, ecologists, and offset brokers as needed.

We Understand Local Policy and Practice

Different councils take different approaches to environmental overlays. What gets approved in Golden Plains might be refused in Moorabool without the right justification. We understand these differences and tailor your application accordingly.

Start With Confidence

If you’re planning a development in a rural or environmentally sensitive area, let us take the guesswork out of native vegetation compliance. We’ll help you avoid costly delays, coordinate the right assessments, and give Council the clarity they need to say yes.

Contact us today for a free initial discussion or to request a quote.