Neighbourhood Tree Disputes: Report (html)

The VLRC report into neighbourhood tree disputes reviewed the laws about disputes between neighbours of private land involving trees that cause damage. The Commission considered whether laws should be changed to provide better, fairer ways of resolving tree disputes.

The VLRC recommended the introduction of a new Act to assist neighbours to resolve their disputes quickly, affordably and effectively. Tabled in Parliament on 27 November 2019, the Commission’s report made 63 recommendations. You can read or download the full report by following the links below.

• Preface
• Terms of reference
• Glossary
• Executive summary
• Recommendations
• 1. Introduction 
• 2. The scope of the problem
• 3. Current tree dispute law in Victoria
• 4. The need for a new Act
• 5. Applying the new Act
• 6. Informal resolution of tree disputes
• 7. Resolving disputes in VCAT
• 8. VCAT decision-making principles and expert evidence 
• 9. Orders, appeals and enforcement
• 10. Interaction of the new Neighbourhood Tree Disputes Act with other laws
• 11. New owners of land
• 12. Community resources
• 13. Other matters and conclusions
• Appendix A: Submissions
• Appendix B: Consultations
• Appendix C: Online survey questions