CHOPPING down trees will be governed by fewer conditions when the new City Plan comes into effect.
Redland City councillor Wendy Boglary said tree clearing laws would be relaxed under the new rules.
All native vegetation clearing will be governed by the town plan under the Environmental Significance Habitat Protection Overlay.
The changes will mean that in rural areas trees can be cleared in an area of up to 2500sq m without any permits and regardless of the type of vegetation.
The city plan also allows clearing of trees in the environmental management zone; low-medium density residential zone; medium-density residential; and tourist accommodation zones.
The code will also apply if trees are being cleared in conservation; recreation; and open spaces zones.
Council can also give consent to clear trees in conservation areas.
Cr Boglary moved to allay fears that the new laws would prohibit cutting down native trees on suburban blocks and bureaucratic green tape would make tidying up a garden difficult.
"The amount of recent tree clearing, especially of koala food trees in Ormiston, has alarmed me," she said.
"I want residents to know there is no need to rush to chop down trees as the laws will not be tightening up.
"The draft City Plan Environmental Significance Overlay will not apply on urban lots under 2000sq m so most urban lots will have no protection.
"Even if the overlay is triggered, there are minimal outcomes nominated which, to me, means virtually anything goes and heralds the end of green leafy suburbs."
Koala Action Group's Debbie Pointing said Ormiston and Cleveland were still strongholds for the urban koala and warned residents of the dangers of cutting down all the trees.
However, a council spokesman said the city plan would not make it easier to clear trees.
The spokesman said council’s intention was to regulate clearing to ensure the same or better environmental outcomes were achieved.
Council mapped all native vegetation and said clearing in certain places would require permits.
But the spokesman said the Environmental Significance Overlay would not apply to lots less than 2000sq m in urban areas.
Clearing of up to 500sq m in low-density residential zone is exempt along with 2500sq m in rural zones.
There are also exemptions for clearing being undertaken by RCC or on Council land in accordance with a council resolution.
Applications for clearing will be assessed against the Environmental Significance overlay code.
The Waterway Corridors and Wetlands and Water Resource Catchments overlays and the Healthy Waters code will also identify and protect environmental and natural resources.
