Neighbour disputes about trees, vegetation & boundary fences
Trees and vegetation
If you and your neighbour have a dispute about trees, you may need help to solve the problem. The dispute might be about tree pruning, falling leaves, unsafe trees, tree removal or some other problem with trees and vegetation that you and your neighbour don't agree about.
Neighbour disputes regarding trees are not mediated by the City. For more information about disputes with neighbours over trees and vegetation, please visit the Queensland Government website.
Boundary fences
Boundary fences are controlled by Queensland Government legislation, under the Neighbourhood Disputes (Dividing Fences and Trees) Act 2011.
For more information, visit the Queensland Government website.
We look after tree planting and maintenance on nature strips, reserves, parks and public gardens. To find out more about how we manage trees on public land, refer to our Management of Trees Policy
If you notice a tree on public land that is dead, diseased, fallen or in need of maintenance, please report it to us. Do not try to do the maintenance yourself. You can:
- report trees on public land needing maintenance online using the link below
(please use this form for tree inspection and maintenance)
- download City App and use your mobile device to report this type of issue
- call us on 07 5667 5974.
Report TREES ON PUBLIC LAND THAT NEED MAINTENANCE
Please note: If the tree has caused damage to private infrastructure we will investigate the damage when actioning your request.
Note: If you believe the tree is a risk to public safety, please call us as soon as possible on 07 5667 5974.
There are limits to what we can do about trees on public land. For example:
- We do not prune or remove trees because they are shading solar panels, clogging gutters, dropping leaves and branches, or dropping seeds.
- We will not remove a tree because branches are overhanging private property. We will assess the tree for pruning.
- We will remove trees that are weed species, and where appropriate, replace them with a more suitable species.
- We will not remove trees where private landholders’ personal preference is for no tree to be present.
- Telstra is responsible for pruning trees growing within three metres of overhead phone lines; you can contact Telstra on 13 22 55
- Energex is responsible for pruning trees growing within three metres of overhead power lines; you can call Energex on 13 12 53.
Unapproved tree removal or wilful damage
We are responsible for preserving and protecting trees on private and public land. Most tree removal requires approval and must be done by licensed contractors.
For more information about removing trees from private land, please see Tree removal – private land.
For more information about removing trees from public land, please see Removing trees on public land.
If you believe that someone has removed a tree or wilfully damaged a tree on either public or private land, please report it to us. Please provide us with as much detail as possible, including:
- the exact location of the tree
- when the tree removal or damage occurred
- why you believe the tree removal or damage is illegal
- what equipment was used
- whether any of the equipment or vehicles had identifiable signage.
If the tree removal or damage is linked to a development, please read illegal tree clearing for a development below before contacting us.
To report illegal tree removal or damage, you can either:
Report UNAPPROVED TREE REMOVAL
Illegal tree clearing for a development
Developers may require special approval to clear trees even if they have development approval for their project. If they do not have approval to clear trees, any tree removal may be illegal.
For more information about the approvals required for tree clearing on private land, please see our Tree removal page.
For more information about the development approvals associated with a property, please visit PD online.
If you believe that trees are being cleared illegally for a development, please report the problem to us. You can either:
- report illegal tree clearing online
- call us on 07 5667 5991.
Report ILLEGAL TREE CLEARING
We are committed to preserving and maintaining our city's urban forest and providing space for trees on public land. We try to protect existing trees.
If you are requesting the tree removal as part of a building or development application, including a driveway/vehicular crossing, you will need to apply to us for operational approval. For more information visit:
If you believe that a tree on public land should be removed for other reasons, please complete and submit the online form below.
Please note: We do not remove trees on public land because:
- they are shading solar panels, clogging gutters, dropping leaves and branches, or dropping seeds
- the private landholders’ personal preference is for no tree to be present.
Apply online
If you believe a tree on public land requires assessment, pruning, or maintenance for other purposes, please also go to 'Trees on public land that need maintenance' further up the page.
Overgrown land or unkempt property
Owners of private and commercial property must keep their land clear of pest plants, weeds and undergrowth.
For more information about declared pest plants and managing vegetation on your property, visit the Biosecurity Queensland website.
If you believe that a private property is overgrown and is a danger to the public, please either:
- report an overgrown or unkempt property online
- call us on 07 5667 5991.
Report AN OVERGROWN OR UNKEMPT PROPERTY
Pest plants
Some plants are pest plants (also called invasive plants) that smother other vegetation.
Our Pest Management Plan describes how we control invasive plants throughout the Gold Coast. The plan applies to all land and waterways on the Gold Coast, including private land.
We are currently targeting these invasive plants as a high priority for control:
If you find these invasive plants on your property, please remove them.
If you see any invasive plants on public or private land, please report them to us. We will investigate and may be able to control their spread. You can either:
Report INVASIVE PLANTS
Weeds
Report weeds on private land Report weeds on public land