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    <h1>Understanding Vegetation Protection Orders (VPOs) in Brisbane</h1>
    <p class="hero-sub">What they are, what they cover, how to find out if your property has one, and what happens if you ig...</p>
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  <span>Understanding Vegetation Protection Orders (VPOs) in Brisbane</span>
</div><p class="blog-intro" style="font-size:1.08rem;font-weight:500;color:var(--dark);margin-bottom:32px;line-height:1.7;">What they are, what they cover, how to find out if your property has one, and what happens if you ignore them.</p><h2 style="margin-top:36px;margin-bottom:14px;">What a VPO is</h2><p>A Vegetation Protection Order (VPO) is a planning instrument applied by Brisbane City Council to areas or individual trees with significant ecological or amenity value. VPOs apply to specific properties and appear on the property's planning certificates. They are not the same as general tree protections — a VPO is specific to your property.</p><h2 style="margin-top:36px;margin-bottom:14px;">Types of VPO in Brisbane</h2><ul class="check-list "><li>Individual tree VPOs — applied to specific significant trees</li><li>Area VPOs — applied to remnant vegetation patches or ecological corridors</li><li>Character residential area controls — not VPOs but may impose similar tree protections</li></ul><h2 style="margin-top:36px;margin-bottom:14px;">How to check if your property has a VPO</h2><p>Brisbane City Council's Property Search tool (brisbane.qld.gov.au) shows planning overlays. Look for the Vegetation Management layer. A simpler approach: send us the address and we check as part of quoting.</p><h2 style="margin-top:36px;margin-bottom:14px;">What a VPO means practically</h2><p>A VPO doesn't mean you can never remove the tree. It means you need a permit first. Permits are approved where there is genuine hazard, the tree is dead, or the tree conflicts with approved development. A properly prepared arborist report gives VPO removal applications a strong chance of approval.</p><h2 style="margin-top:36px;margin-bottom:14px;">The fines</h2><p>Removing a protected tree without approval: up to $2,669 on-the-spot fine for individuals, $13,345 for companies. Serious or repeat breaches can result in further prosecution through the Planning and Environment Court. Council has full visibility of VPOs on every property and does respond to complaints.</p><div style="margin-top:36px;padding:20px;background:var(--green-light);border-radius:var(--radius);"><p style="margin:0;font-size:0.92rem;"><strong>Need a tree arborist in Brisbane?</strong> Call <a href="tel:0474011120" style="color:var(--green);font-weight:700;">0474 011 120</a> or <a href="contact.php" style="color:var(--green);font-weight:700;">fill in our quote form</a>. Same-day response, Mon–Sat 7am–6pm.</p></div></div><div><div class="card" style="padding:24px;position:sticky;top:100px;"><h4 style="margin-bottom:16px;">Get a Free Quote</h4><p style="font-size:0.9rem;color:var(--text-light);margin-bottom:16px;">Call or text photos for a same-day quote across Brisbane's north and east.</p><a href="tel:0474011120" class="btn btn-primary" style="width:100%;justify-content:center;margin-bottom:10px;">📞 0474 011 120</a><a href="contact.php" class="btn btn-outline" style="width:100%;justify-content:center;">Online Quote Form</a><hr style="margin:20px 0;border:none;border-top:1px solid var(--border);"><h4 style="margin-bottom:12px;">More Articles</h4><a href="blog-how-much-does-tree-removal-cost-brisbane-2026.php" style="font-size:0.85rem;color:var(--green);display:block;padding:4px 0;">How Much Does Tree Removal Cost in Brisbane in 2026?</a><a href="blog-8-signs-tree-needs-removing-brisbane.php" style="font-size:0.85rem;color:var(--green);display:block;padding:4px 0;">8 Warning Signs Your Brisbane Tree Needs to Come Down</a><a href="blog-brisbane-city-council-tree-removal-permits-guide.php" style="font-size:0.85rem;color:var(--green);display:block;padding:4px 0;">Brisbane City Council Tree Removal Permits: A Plain-English Guide</a><a href="blog-tree-lopping-vs-pruning-brisbane.php" style="font-size:0.85rem;color:var(--green);display:block;padding:4px 0;">Tree Lopping vs Pruning: What's the Difference and Why It Matters</a><a href="blog-cocos-palm-removal-brisbane-guide.php" style="font-size:0.85rem;color:var(--green);display:block;padding:4px 0;">Cocos Palm Removal Brisbane: Cost, Council Rules, and What to Expect</a><a href="blog-brisbane-tree-removal-do-i-need-permit.php" style="font-size:0.85rem;color:var(--green);display:block;padding:4px 0;">Do I Need a Permit to Remove a Tree in Brisbane?</a><a href="blog-what-is-an-arborist-report-brisbane.php" style="font-size:0.85rem;color:var(--green);display:block;padding:4px 0;">What Is an Arborist Report and When Do You Need One in Brisbane?</a><a href="blog-how-long-does-tree-removal-take-brisbane.php" style="font-size:0.85rem;color:var(--green);display:block;padding:4px 0;">How Long Does Tree Removal Take? A Brisbane Homeowner's Guide</a></div></div></div></div></section><section class="section--sm">
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