Town Planning Services in the City of Whitehorse Area

Name: AS Planning
Address: Melbourne, VIC, AU
Telephone: +61 400 012 311
Price range: $$

As highly experienced Town Planners, we can help you prepare and submit a planning permit application to Whitehorse City Council.

Last updated: 18 July 2026

Whitehorse: leafy suburbs among Melbourne’s most tree-protected areas

Established, leafy suburbs where tree and landscape controls shape almost every project.

Whitehorse blends established, leafy suburbs like Box Hill, Blackburn and Surrey Hills with a strong emphasis on tree and landscape protection. It is among the most tree-protected municipalities in Melbourne’s east, so canopy trees and garden character shape almost every renovation, knockdown rebuild or subdivision. Whether you’re building, extending or removing a tree, we can help make it happen.

Previous Next

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Aerial panorama over Nunawading's tree canopy toward the Melbourne skyline, City of Whitehorse

Bushland and lake at Blackburn Lake Sanctuary, Blackburn

Aerial view of the leafy tree canopy over Mont Albert and Surrey Hills

Tree-lined Mullum Mullum Trail through bushland in Mitcham

Box Hill Gardens open space, City of Whitehorse

Main Street shopping strip in Box Hill, City of Whitehorse

Mitcham Railway Station, City of Whitehorse

Forest Hill Chase shopping centre, City of Whitehorse

Neighbourhood shops in Blackburn, City of Whitehorse

Previous Next

About AS Planning

We can assist with applying for any type of Planning Permit application with Whitehorse City Council.

AS Planning is an independent Town Planning Consultancy working in the Whitehorse City and surrounding areas, primarily assisting clients in obtaining Planning Permits through Council in the most efficient and timely manner possible.

Andrew Stubbings is the Director & Founder of AS Planning. He has years of experience within both the public and private Town Planning sector and has a solid understanding of Council’s end to end process. Andrew now works independently with home builders, developers, architects, investors and business owners.

Planning Experience & Expertise in Whitehorse

We have experience and expertise with planning and permits required for Knockdown Rebuild Projects in the area.

We work with a high volume of clients requiring a Planning Permit triggered from the Significant Landscape Overlay, One (1) dwelling on a lot (Clause 54) permits and Two (2) or more dwellings (Clause 55) permits in the Whitehorse area.

AS Planning can help you put forward the strongest planning application, with our intimate understanding of the suburbs in the area and the requirements set by Whitehorse Council. Contact us today about our Town Planning services in Blackburn, Blackburn North, Blackburn South, Box Hill, Box Hill North, Box Hill South, Burwood East, Forest Hill, Mitcham, Mont Albert, Mont Albert North, Nunawading, Surrey Hills, Vermont and Vermont South.

Tree and landscape controls in Whitehorse: what they mean for your project

We can confirm whether SLO9 tree protection or a Vegetation Protection Overlay affects your property.

Whitehorse is one of the most tree-protected municipalities in Melbourne’s east, so canopy trees shape what you can build across almost the whole city. Two controls do most of the work:

Significant Landscape Overlay Schedule 9 (SLO9) — introduced under Amendment C219, SLO9 applies tree-protection controls to all residential land in Whitehorse. You generally need a planning permit to remove or prune a protected tree, and new development must retain enough permeable garden space to sustain existing and replacement canopy trees.
Vegetation Protection Overlay (VPO) — Whitehorse also applies a VPO, with separate schedules for significant exotic, native and indigenous trees, adding further protection in specific areas.

Knowing which controls apply — and what canopy-replacement and permeability obligations come with them — before you design can save significant time and cost. AS Planning can confirm your overlays, and where needed engage a professional Arborist and Landscape Architect on your behalf, including the Arborist Reports and Landscape Plans often required for SLO9 and SLO2 permits.

Previous Next

1 2 3 4 5

Knock down and rebuild planning permits Victoria

Investment and unit development planning permits Victoria

Previous Next

Town Planning Services

AS Planning can help you with planning and development approvals in the City of Whitehorse suburbs.

Pre-application advice in Whitehorse LGA
Ensure Council are involved from early in the project to ensure as smooth and efficient application process as possible.
Preparation & submission of planning permit application to Whitehorse City Council
We take away the stress of dealing with Council, as well as saving time which avoids a long drawn out process.
Detailed town planning reports
We leave no stone unturned, we can help you put forward the strongest application possible.
Research and feasibility studies
Understand the viability of a project before pulling the trigger.

Report & consent applications
If your Building Surveyor has advised that a dispensation is required from Council, we can take the stress out of having it approved.
Bushfire assessments
We are certified to undertake Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) assessment reports, including but not limited to bushfire hazard site assessments, bushfire hazard landscape assessments and bushfire management statements.

Assisting with any planning permit matter or trigger in Whitehorse

Planning permits in City of Whitehorse may be required for various reasons or scenarios, including but not limited to the list below:

Buildings and /or works for a new build (including dwellings) or extensions/ increase in floor area of existing buildings.
Knock down rebuild (KDRB)
Significant Landscape Overlay (Schedule 9 (SLO9) and Schedule 2 (SLO2) )
One (1) dwelling on a lot (Clause 54)
Two (2) or more dwellings (Clause 55)
Subdivision
Removal or lopping of native / protected vegetation
Amending a historic Planning Permit to suit your needs

Potential flooding and meeting required floor levels
Responding to or removing restrictions on title
Liquor licensing
Car parking waiver / reduction
Business signage
Change of use
Multi unit residential developments
Mixed use development
Industrial / commercial development

Dedicated to helping you achieve the best possible outcome

When you choose AS Planning, you are backed by a dedicated and highly experienced team.

Skills & Qualifications

Andrew has a Bachelor of Applied Science – Planning. He is a strong communicator when it comes to community consultation, as well as engaging with project stakeholders and authority consultation.

Experience

Andrew has over 20 years of experience in both private and public town planning, including working in local government. He has extensive knowledge of Council processes.

Network of specialists

Support your planning permit application through surveys and assessments from our specialist partners, including expertise in Urban design, Landscape architecture, Flora and fauna, as well as Civil and traffic engineering.

Contact Us

Call us on +61 400 012 311 or fill out the form below.

FAQs

Do I need a permit to remove a tree on my Whitehorse property?

Very likely. Under Significant Landscape Overlay Schedule 9 (SLO9), tree-protection controls apply to all residential land in Whitehorse, so you generally need a planning permit to remove or lop a protected tree that meets the trigger size. A Vegetation Protection Overlay (VPO) also applies in some areas. An arborist report is usually required to support the application.

What is Significant Landscape Overlay Schedule 9 (SLO9) in Whitehorse?

SLO9 is Whitehorse’s municipal-wide tree-protection control, introduced under Amendment C219. It applies across all residential areas to protect the city’s leafy canopy, so knockdown rebuilds, new development and tree removal must respond to it — including retaining enough permeable garden area to sustain existing and replacement canopy trees.

Do I need a permit for a dual occupancy in Whitehorse?

Usually, yes. Council closely assesses dual occupancy and multi-dwelling proposals against mandatory garden-area requirements, neighbourhood character and tree protection under SLO9. A town planner can check your zone, overlays and canopy-tree constraints to confirm what’s feasible before you design.

Can I do a knockdown rebuild in Whitehorse’s leafy suburbs?

Yes, but tree and landscape controls shape the design. Because SLO9 protects canopy trees across residential Whitehorse, a knockdown rebuild often needs an arborist report and a landscape plan, and the siting must retain permeable space for existing or replacement trees. Getting this right early avoids costly redesigns.

How long does a planning permit application take in Whitehorse?

The statutory timeframe for a planning permit decision in Victoria is 60 days, but Whitehorse applications — especially those involving tree removal, SLO9 assessment or public advertising to neighbours — can take several months. Engaging a town planning consultant to lodge a complete, policy-compliant application reduces Council requests for further information (RFIs) and avoids unnecessary delays.

Image credits

“Nunawading aerial panorama facing Melbourne skyline. March 2024” by BobTanGo, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
“Blackburn Lake Sanctuary” by Robbinvk, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
“Aerial view of Mont Albert and Surrey Hills looking south-west from Kingsley Gardens in Mont Albert, Melbourne” by Philip Mallis, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
“Mullum Mullum Trail, Mitcham” by Philip Mallis, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
“2025-12-27 Box Hill Gardens 02” by Chris.sherlock2, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
“Main Street looking west from Station Street in Box Hill, Melbourne” by Philip Mallis, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
“Box Hill Library” by Pru.mitchell, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
“New Mitcham Station” by Thebusofdoom, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
“Forest Hill Chase entrance 7” by Forest Hill Chase, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
“Shops at Blackburn3” by Ottre, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Town Planning Services in the City of Whitehorse Area

As highly experienced Town Planners, we can help you prepare and submit a planning permit application to Whitehorse City Council.

Whitehorse: leafy suburbs among Melbourne’s most tree-protected areas

Established, leafy suburbs where tree and landscape controls shape almost every project.

About AS Planning

We can assist with applying for any type of Planning Permit application with Whitehorse City Council.

Planning Experience & Expertise in Whitehorse

We have experience and expertise with planning and permits required for Knockdown Rebuild Projects in the area.

Tree and landscape controls in Whitehorse: what they mean for your project

We can confirm whether SLO9 tree protection or a Vegetation Protection Overlay affects your property.

Town Planning Services

AS Planning can help you with planning and development approvals in the City of Whitehorse suburbs.

Pre-application advice in Whitehorse LGA

Preparation & submission of planning permit application to Whitehorse City Council

Detailed town planning reports

Research and feasibility studies

Report & consent applications

Bushfire assessments

Assisting with any planning permit matter or trigger in Whitehorse

Planning permits in City of Whitehorse may be required for various reasons or scenarios, including but not limited to the list below:

Dedicated to helping you achieve the best possible outcome

When you choose AS Planning, you are backed by a dedicated and highly experienced team.

Skills & Qualifications

Experience

Network of specialists

Contact Us

Call us on +61 400 012 311 or fill out the form below.

FAQs

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY

CONTACT US

USEFUL LINKS

PLANNING APPLICATION SUPPORT