Do You Need Council Approval To Remove A Tree In Toowoomba?

For most private trees, Toowoomba Regional Council’s own website says no. Its current planning scheme does not require council approval to remove significant vegetation where no development is proposed. When the scheme was prepared in 2010/2011, state government vegetation controls were considered enough. That doesn’t mean every tree is free to go. Other rules still apply in these situations:

These rules are under review. In September 2024 the council endorsed developing a Temporary Local Planning Instrument to protect mapped areas of ecological significance, and a new planning scheme is being prepared. In October 2025, the Darling Downs Environment Council, a community group, reported that councillors had rejected the first draft of that instrument. If you’re clearing on a bushland block, check the council’s current position before work starts.

Trees Near Powerlines

Toowoomba is on the Ergon Energy network, not Energex. Ergon’s advice is not to trim trees or other vegetation near powerlines yourself, and to call a professional tree trimmer instead.

Who looks after the trees depends on which line they’re near. Ergon maintains its powerlines up to the first point of contact on your property, which is the house, building or first property pole. Lines beyond the first property pole belong to the property owner, and so does keeping trees clear of them. That matters on larger blocks with private poles.

To ask Ergon to trim trees growing in or close to its powerlines, use Ergon’s Customer Self Service Portal. If trees are close to or brushing the service line into your house, Ergon says to call a professional tree trimmer. If you’re replanting, Ergon suggests leaving at least a 2 metre gap between the service wire and the tree’s full mature height.

When A Neighbour’s Tree Is The Problem

In Queensland, neighbour tree disputes fall under the Neighbourhood Disputes (Dividing Fences and Trees) Act 2011. Which step you take depends on how high the branches are and how far they reach over the boundary. QCAT’s guidance assumes you’ve tried to sort it out with your neighbour first.

After A Storm

Queensland SES helps with non-life-threatening storm damage, such as a fallen tree that is blocking access to your house or has damaged the structure. Call 132 500 or use the SES Assistance QLD app. If anyone’s life is at risk, call 000.

The SES only makes things safe for now. It says permanent repairs and removing the remaining debris are for your insurer or a private contractor. At that stage, we can cut up and clear the fallen tree. Mention any powerlines, solar panels or roof damage when you get in touch.

What We Do

We also take on land clearing and fuel reduction on larger blocks. Clearing is where the state vegetation rules matter most, so check them before booking. More detail is on our services page.

Before You Book In Toowoomba

1. Work out whose tree it is: yours, a neighbour’s, or a council street or park tree. Council trees need the council’s written permission before anyone works on them.
2. Look up and check whether any part of the tree is near the street powerlines, the service line to your house or a private property pole.
3. Check whether the work is tied to building, subdividing or a development application. If it is, ask the council first.
4. On bushland or rural land, check the state vegetation and protected plant rules before you clear anything.
5. Note what stands in the way, such as gate width, slope, sheds, pools or cars that would need moving, and take a few photos.
6. Send us those details through the form, call 0419 136 537, or use our contact page.

Our suburb pages cover local details for places such as Highfields, Rangeville and Harristown.