The City of Whitehorse has a number of overlays that protect trees and vegetation on private and Council land throughout the municipality. 

If your proposed works are within 4 metres of a tree, a planning permit may be required in addition to the application for an inspection:

1. Determine if a tree is a protected tree go to Tree Controls, Removal, Pruning and Lopping.
2. If there are any recent planning permits for the site, check whether they include the proposed works by contacting the Planning Department on 9262 6333.
3. If no planning approval has been given, submit a Planning Permit Application. Refer to the permit checklist ( PDF 172.41KB) to ensure you prepare and lodge the relevant information.
4. Once you receive a Planning Permit, apply for an Inspection of Works.
5. Attach a copy of your Planning Permit to your Inspection of Works application.

For works within 4 metres of a street tree that is not a ‘protected tree’, the Council inspector will refer your Inspection application to a Council arborist to assess the impact on the tree.

Allow up to 30 days for tree assessment in addition to the Inspection of Works process.

If the road has bluestone kerbs, there may be a heritage overlay affecting that road. This means you may need to apply for a Planning Permit before you apply for a permit to do the works. 

Check if there is a heritage overlay affecting the road

If there is a heritage overlay please contact the Planning Department for further advice on 9262 6333.

If any part of the road or footpath has to be temporarily closed as a result of the works, you may be required to obtain further approval from VicRoads. This is usually called a Memorandum of Authorisation (MOA). This relates to traffic management only - it does not give you consent to undertake the works and should be submitted in addition to written consent from VicRoads.

For further information please contact VicRoads. For information about traffic management on Council roads please contact Council’s Transport Team on 9262 6187.

If any of the following would be affected by the proposed works, the Council inspector will let you know if you are required to do anything else. If this is the case, please allow more time for your application.

• Stormwater pipes/drains/pits
• Signs
• Street furniture
• Traffic assets (including parking sensors, painted and constructed parking bays, speed humps)

The following is a list of some of the services that may be affected by your proposed works. 

Please mark these on your works plan/diagram.  

• Power / light pole (United Energy)
• Water / sewer asset / fire hydrant (Yarra Valley Water)
• Gas asset (MultiNet Gas)
• Telecommunications pit / tower / phone box (Telstra or other provider)
• Post box (Australia Post)
• Bus stop (Public Transport Victoria)
• Street furniture (Council Inspector will advise you who to contact)

If the proposed works are within 1 metre of these (or other) services, you may need to provide written consent/approval from the relevant authority before we can issue a permit/consent to do the works. 

Please note:

• If you are proposing to do works that would require a utility service to be moved, please contact the relevant authority to obtain their consent/approval in writing.
• If you are unsure whether the utility service will be affected, the Council Inspector can advise you if you need to contact another authority. Please allow more time for your application in this instance.