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Brighton’s urban forest

Brighton’s urban forest features a rich tapestry of indigenous, native and exotic vegetation. This abundance of diverse vegetation can be seen in established gardens, streetscapes and foreshore planting.

Future planting delivered through the precinct plan will aim to connect the foreshore, public open spaces and private property into a cohesive urban forest.

Within the precinct plan we’ve identified:

  • Ideal locations for priority planting
  • plant species to enhance biodiversity and retain local character
  • ways to support Brighton residents to green their own spaces.

Read the Brighton Precinct Plan


There are several situations where a permit may be required to remove a tree:

  1. in a location subject to planning restrictions or an overlay.
  2. of particular size, planting condition or significance and a qualified arborist is not doing the work.

Situation 1: Planning restrictions

Brighton foreshore is covered by the Vegetation Protection Overlay Schedule 1 (VPO1) which aims to retain, protect, and enhance vegetation in coastal areas. Along the Brighton foreshore, vegetation forms an integral component of coastal character and overall ecosystem biodiversity. VPO1 is in place to retain, protect and enhance this vegetation from threats of environmental challenges, development, vandalism, and illegal tree removals.

There are currently no Vegetation Protection Overlays or Significant Landscape Overlays on privately owned land within Brighton. For larger developments or where redevelopment proposals are being assessed and require planning approval, Council officers can also request a landscaping plan which should be prepared to take into consideration the Bayside Landscaping Guidelines.

Trees or vegetation may be protected by a planning permit if you live in, or own, a flat, unit, apartment, dual occupancy, or if the property is under 500m2. To find out whether trees or vegetation on your property is protected by a heritage overlay or a significant landscape overlay, view the planning map.

Situation 2: Local Law

A Local Law permit is required if the tree to be removed:

  • has a single or combined trunk circumference greater than 155cm measured at 1m above ground level. If the tree has several trunks, the four largest trunk circumferences should be added together; or
  • is planted in accordance with the replacement planting condition of a Local Law permit; or
  • is listed on our Significant Tree Register.

  • Greening Brighton

    Increasing tree canopy cover to reach 30% and vegetation cover to reach 30% across Brighton by 2040.

  • Biodiverse suburb

    Create a diverse and healthy urban forest that reinforces greater outcomes for biodiversity.

  • Improve monitoring and maintain

    Improve the ability to monitor and track along with maintaining our existing canopy cover and avoid further decline.

  • Encourage residents and private owners

    Learn together, educate each other, encourage and celebrate greater care and protection.

Map of Brighton showing different highlighted areas

Legend

  • Commercial areas

    Across Brighton there are various commercial use zones:

    • Church St and Bay St Major Activity Centres
    • Martin St Large Neighbourhood Activity Centre
    • Dendy Village Small Neighbourhood Activity Centre
    • Brighton Beach Small Neighbourhood Activity Centre
    • South Rd and Esplanade Ave Small Commercial Activity Centre
    • New St / Bay St Small Neighbourhood Activity Centre
    • Esplanade and Grosvenor St Small Neighbourhood Activity Centre
    • New St / Martin St Small Neighbourhood Activity Centre


  • Parks and reserves

    Council has identified opportunities through our Park Improvement and Habitat Linkage Plan to provide increased understorey within and surrounding several of our parks and reserves within Bayside. The following areas will be investigated:

    • Yalukit Willam Nature Reserve (Elsternwick Park)
    • Elster Canal Linear Reserve including Cross St Reserve and Lewis Reserve
    • Kamesburgh Gardens
    • Foreshore
    • Green Point Costal Reserve
    • Brighton Beach Foreshore
  • Educational land

    Council will work with other State government and non-State government Schools to increase tree and vegetation cover on educational land, and run educational programs to increase awareness around vegetation planting and protection.

    Schools within Brighton include:

    • Elsternwick Primary School
    • St James Catholic Primary School
    • Star of the Sea College
    • Firbank Grammar
    • Brighton Grammar
    • Brighton Primary School
    • St Joan of Arc Primary School
    • Brighton Beach Primary School

  • Roundabouts

    Roundabouts provide opportunities to plant canopy trees and understorey planting where appropriate. New plantings must not affect sight lines, safety or accessibility for larger vehicles. To ensure future planting is appropriate, a Road Safety Audit will be completed before and after installation.

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Contact us

yoursay@bayside.vic.gov.au

(03) 9599 4444

www.bayside.vic.gov.au

Bayside City Council, 76 Royal Avenue

PO Box 27, Sandringham VIC 3191

For general enquiries to Bayside Council

bayside.vic.gov.au/contact-us

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