Overgrown land, hazardous vegetation and unsightly objects and materials

Unmaintained properties with overgrown land, hazardous vegetation and unsightly objects and materials can detract from the amenity of the locality. Council often receives complaints about overgrown land during periods of increased rainfall and sunshine which encourages rapid growth of vegetation.

Although Council encourages residents to maintain the grassed footpath areas in front of their property, Council is unable to enforce residents to do this. If your concern relates to overgrown grass on a verge or footpath area, please lodge a grass cutting request here.

Complaints and resolutions

Council’s local laws assist in managing vegetation that is overgrown or hazardous.

You can take several courses of action if you are concerned about overgrown land or unsightly vegetation:

  • Dispute resolution In most cases, the best way to resolve an overgrown or unsightly property issue is through polite and productive communication with the property owner or occupier. If you haven’t already spoken with the resident about the overgrown or unsightly property, we strongly recommend you try this approach first. Often, residents do not realise they are causing an issue to their neighbours. Council has also developed a letterbox-drop template (Word - 65kb) which you may wish to use - simply print out the form, fill in your details (if you wish) and place it in your neighbour’s letterbox.
  • Dispute Resolution Centres If the dispute is not resolved, you can contact the appropriate Queensland Government Dispute Resolution Centre regarding their non-legal mediation service - they may be able to assist without the need for expensive legal proceedings. For more information visit the Queensland Government Dispute Resolution Centre or phone their tollfree number on 1800 017 288.
  • Lodge a complaint with Council Should you wish to lodge a complaint regarding overgrown or unsightly properties you can do so using this online form, or you can contact Council on 3403 8888.

Responsibilities

Civil Matter

Vegetation impacting neighbouring private properties (such as overhanging dividing fences) is regulated by the QLD government under the Neighbourhood Disputes (Dividing Fences and Trees) Act 2011. The Queensland Government Dispute Resolution Centre can help you to avoid conflict with your neighbour, without the need for expensive legal proceedings. For more information visit the Queensland Government Dispute Resolution Centre or phone their tollfree number on 1800 017 288.

Unsightly objects, materials and vegetation

The unsightly objects, materials or vegetation provisions of the Health, Safety and Amenity Local Law 2021 (the Local Law) are about keeping Brisbane clean, green, safe and attractive.
This includes land that has:

  • an unmaintained yard with very long grasses or general weeds (knee height of an adult or over)
  • large household items, scrap metal, piles of wood or other materials
  • broken down vehicles, car bodies, scrap machinery and parts
  • discarded bottles, containers or packaging 
  • uncovered food scraps or waste
  • harbourage of rodents (snakes are native animals and are not rodents)
  • stockpiles of green waste (excluding open air composting).

Investigating unsightly objects, materials and vegetation complaints

To determine whether a breach of the Local Law has occurred, Council takes into account things such as:

  • location of the premises (e.g. City Plan designation)
  • existing amenity of the area
  • approved use of the site/premises
  • nature and quantity of objects, materials and vegetation
  • additional information such as previous non-compliance and number of complaints will be considered
  • whether there is protected vegetation on a property.

Hazardous vegetation

Hazardous vegetation is any vegetation that Council considers constitutes a fire, health or public safety hazard. Under the Natural Assets Local Law 2003 (NALL), Council may notify property owners to remove, prune or otherwise deal with hazardous vegetation. Hazardous vegetation includes vegetation which may:

  • potentially obstruct vision and the usage of the road by motorists
  • potentially cause injury or obstruction to persons using a footpath or other public area
  • have the ability to harbour rodents (snakes are native animals and are not rodents)
  • trigger bronchial or skin allergies
  • increase the risk of fire.

If vegetation is posing a fire risk and we are experiencing hot, dry weather conditions contact the Queensland Fire Department (QFD) as they are the authorised body to assess fire risks. 

If the vegetation is impacting powerlines, contact Energex. 

Investigating a hazardous vegetation complaint

To determine whether a breach of the NALL has occurred, Council takes into account things such as:

  • the nature and quantity of potentially hazardous vegetation
  • whether vegetation is impeding pedestrian access or motorist’s sightlines
  • whether there is adequate clearance above footways (generally 2.5 metres)
  • whether there is adequate clearance above roadways (generally 4.5 metres)
  • whether a clearance zone is being maintained on properties larger than 1000m2 with long grasses or general weeds present
  • whether stockpiles of dead vegetation (palm fronds, branches, leaves etc) of 2 cubic meters or more are present
  • whether there is protected vegetation on a property.

If you are issued an oral compliance direction or notice to remedy unsightly or hazardous vegetation, you will be required to complete the declaration of compliance for HSALL or NALL compliance action form (PDF - 64kb) or apply online.

Making a complaint about unsightly objects, materials and vegetation or hazardous vegetation

Complaints about unsightly objects, materials and vegetation or hazardous vegetation overgrown land and unsightly or hazardous vegetation can be reported online using the report-it online form or by calling Council on 07 3403 8888. Supplying photographs is required for Council to investigate your complaint. When submitting photographs, ensure that:

  • photographs depict a unique feature of the land (including the street number of the property) which positively identifies the unsightly object, materials, vegetation or hazardous vegetationissue(s) on a particular block, and
  • photographs show the overall nature of your concerns. 
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Brisbane City Council acknowledges this Country and its Traditional Custodians. We pay our respects to the Elders, those who have passed into the Dreaming; those here today; those of tomorrow.