Council and state rules
Do I need permission to cut down a tree on my Gold Coast property?
Sometimes. There is no single answer for the whole city. The City of Gold Coast regulates clearing of some vegetation on private land through its planning scheme, the City Plan. Whether your tree is affected depends mainly on whether your lot sits within mapped overlay areas, and on the type and size of tree. Many ordinary backyard trees, especially exotic garden plantings, are not caught. Large native trees, bushland lots, land near waterways and hinterland acreage are much more likely to be.
Check with the City of Gold Coast before removing a tree if you are not sure. Get any advice in writing.
What about koalas?
The Queensland Government regulates clearing of koala habitat in mapped areas of South East Queensland. Parts of the northern Gold Coast and much of the hinterland are mapped as koala habitat. If your tree is a eucalypt on or near bushland, check the state's koala habitat mapping and ask the City how the rules apply to your lot.
On the day, good contractors check trees for koalas and other animals before starting. If a koala is in a tree, work on that tree stops until it moves on by itself.
Can I prune or remove the street tree outside my house?
No. Footpath and park trees are managed by the City of Gold Coast. Contact the City if a street tree is causing a problem, such as dropping limbs or blocking sight lines.
Are some tree species ones I am encouraged to remove?
Several common Gold Coast trees are restricted invasive plants under Queensland's biosecurity laws, including camphor laurel, African tulip tree and Chinese elm. Removing them is generally encouraged, but the vegetation rules above can still apply to how and where they are removed, particularly near creeks.
Neighbours
My neighbour's tree hangs over my yard. What can I do?
Queensland has a specific law for this: the Neighbourhood Disputes (Dividing Fences and Trees) Act 2011. In general, the person whose land the tree grows on is responsible for it. The Act sets out a process for dealing with overhanging branches and trees that cause damage, starting with talking to your neighbour and, if needed, formal notice. If it cannot be resolved, the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) can make orders.
The details matter, so read the official guidance or get advice before cutting anything back yourself. And do not cut a neighbour's tree in a way that kills or seriously damages it.
Who pays for removing a tree on the boundary?
It depends on whose land the trunk is on, and any agreement between neighbours. Talk to your neighbour first. Getting a written quote both of you can see often helps.
Power lines and storms
A branch is touching the power line to my house. What should I do?
Stay away from it and keep others away. Contact Energex, the distributor for South East Queensland, or emergency services if there is immediate danger. Only people authorised to work near live electrical lines should carry out the work.
When is storm season on the Gold Coast?
Storms are most common in the warmer months, from late spring through summer and into early autumn. Tropical cyclones and ex-tropical cyclones occasionally reach this far south, as in early 2025. The best time to prune and remove deadwood is before the season starts.
A tree has fallen on my house. What first?
Make sure everyone is safe and stay away from any fallen power lines. Contact your insurer, take photos if it is safe, and call for a quote. Your insurer may want a written quote before approving removal.
Quotes and the work itself
Is lopping bad for trees?
Cutting branches back to stubs, known as topping, damages most trees. The regrowth is weak and the wounds decay. Reducing a tree by cutting back to suitable side branches is a recognised practice and keeps the tree healthier. Ask where the cuts will be made.
What should a quote include?
Which trees and limbs, the method, what happens to the stump, what happens to the wood and branches, and whether approvals have been considered. Our price guide has a full checklist and 2026 planning ranges.
Does the contractor need to be an arborist?
For routine pruning and removal, many tree contractors do excellent work. For tree health assessments, risk reports, and approval applications, a qualified consulting arborist is often needed. Our guide Arborist or tree lopper? explains the difference.
Do you check the contractor's insurance?
We ask the contractors we work with to hold the licences and insurance the job needs. You should still ask to see their certificate of currency before work starts. It is a normal request and a good contractor will not mind.