A council in Melbourne’s south-east is trying to ban cutting down trees without a permit, citing the lack of existing green space.

The Glen Eira Council is cracking down on local residents taking matters into their own hands, with Council Watch’s Dean Hurlston criticising the current plan.

Click PLAY to hear Dean Hurlston explain why the plan isn’t a good idea

“There’s no doubt we need to protect the trees,” he told 3AW Breakfast.

“Glen Eira is an area with the lowest level of open green space…so perhaps they want residents to do the hard work because they tell everyone else what to do.”