Private Trees

Applying to prune or remove a tree?

Most trees in Camden are protected, before pruning or removing a tree from your property you must apply for permission via a tree removal and pruning application.

You must apply for private tree removal and pruning application through the NSW Planning Portal.  

                           Penalties for pruning and removing trees without a permit or consent.

On the spot fines of $3000 - $6000 apply, serious offences may be pursued in the Courts where penalties of $1 - $5 million apply.

All listed property owners are required to provide owners’ consent. We cannot grant you permission to remove your neighbour's tree without their consent. We will not accept your application if it relates to removing a neighbour’s tree.

Applicants must create an account to lodge their applications. A step by step guide is available on the NSW website here.

To progress your application, you will need to:

  • Register for an NSW Planning Portal account.
  • Log in to complete the online application form.
  • Lodge your private tree removal or pruning application via the NSW Planning Portal
  • Submit a detailed site plan, photographs, and owners consent.
  • Submit any available information e.g. Arborist report, Plumber report, or sewer diagrams etc.
  • Once the application is submitted, Council will contact you to arrange payment of fees.
  • Once Council is satisfied with the information provided and fees are paid, your application will progress, and Council will assess your application in 28 days.
  • If your tree needs further analysis such as aerial inspection, resistance testing, pathology assessment or root investigations, you will need to engage a consultant arborist who is qualified to report on the health and safety of the tree. We will outline these requirements in writing.
  • If you have not been notified after 28 days, excluding any time waiting on further information, your application has been deemed refused. Council may grant or refuse a permit after this time even though it has been deemed to have been refused.
  • If a permit is issued for the removal of a tree or vegetation, up to four (4) replacement trees are required to be planted for every tree removed.

Common reasons Council will not approve pruning or removal:

  • Pruning or removal for dropping of leaves, bark, sticks, flowers, fruit and sap
  • Pruning or removal to reduce sap and/or bird or bat droppings on cars or dwellings.
  • Unsubstantiated fear of large trees.
  • The removal of sound healthy trees to improve access to solar energy. 
  • Bush fire hazard control which has not been approved by Rural or NSW Fire Brigades.
  • Prune for aesthetic purposes.

What replacement planting is required?

  • Permits for tree removal will include a condition to replace trees on the property.
  • The permit will specify the requirements for the new tree, including its size when planted and the mature height it must achieve. The species selection is at the property owner’s discretion.

When deciding the new location, we encourage you to consider how close it is to:

  • Services such as electrical wires and sewer/drainage lines.
  • Buildings, fences, and boundary walls.
  • Neighbouring properties.

If you don’t follow the permit conditions for replanting it is an offence, and you can be penalised.

download 8

What  trees and vegetation are protected in Camden?

A person must not cut down, fell, uproot, kill, poison, ringbark, burn or otherwise destroy a tree or vegetation without a written permit from Council.

A permit is required if a tree is any of the following:

  • Is 3 metres or more in height;

  • Has a circumference of 300mm (100mm diameter); 

  • More at a height of 1 metre above natural ground surface; or

  • Has a branch span of 3 metres or more.

Tree Diagram

How are trees protected in Camden?

The state government lays out legislation that outlines how and when you need to apply for approval to prune and remove trees on private property, including the need for development consent for heritage trees. This is the State Environmental Planning Policy (Biodiversity and Conservation) 2021 and includes the 2017 state environmental planning policy for vegetation in non-rural areas. 

Protected trees and exemptions are laid out under Clause 2.4 of Camden Development Control Plan (DCP) 2019. 

Additional approval pathways for tree removal, tree pruning, and vegetation clearing may be required, these are:

Tree removal diagram

What does not require a permit?

A permit is not required for the following;

  • Routine pruning of trees or shrubs that form a continuous hedge;

  • A tree that harbours fruit fly;

  • Any tree identified as a noxious weed (or similar) and includes the following trees;

                           - Privet (Ligustrum sp.);
                           - African Olive (Olea africana);
                           - Honey Locust (Gleditsia triacanthos);
                           - Cocos Palm (Syagrus rhomanzofianum); and
                           - Chínese Celtis (Celtis sinensis).

  • Minor pruning of branches no greater than 50mm diameter provided that:

                           - Pruning is undertaken in a way that does not impact on plant health; and

                            - If the tree is located on a neighbouring property, the permission of the owner has been sought prior to pruning work.

A Tree Exemption Form is required to apply for the following exemptions: 

  • Where vegetation is dying or dead and is not required as the habitat of native fauna. 

  • Where vegetation presents an imminent unacceptable level of risk to human life or property.

How do I find the right Arborist?

Council recommends that before you hire an Arborist to prune or remove a tree, you can consider the following tips;

  • Seek quotes for the work from qualified Arborists;

  • Request to see Public Liability and Worker’s Compensation Certificates;

  • Check their qualifications and/or industry memberships such as Arboriculture Australia or Tree Contractors Association Australia – TCAA .

  • Your tree contractor must be insured and qualified. The minimum standard of Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) Level 3 in Arboriculture is required for carrying out tree works and AQF Level 5 in Arboriculture is required for Hazard, Tree Health and Risk Assessments and Reports.

  • Seek references or recommendations from previous clients; and

  • Agree on the scope of the work you want them to complete so this can be quoted on accurately. 

NSW fair trading and SafeWork NSW provide information on protecting yourself from Tree Work Scams.

Tree work | NSW Government - NSW Fair Trading.
Hiring tree work contractors – SafeWork NSW.

Look out for travelling conmen who may turn up at your door unexpectedly. Travelling conmen are deceptive and misleading people pretending to be legitimate tradespeople.

Be suspicious of people who:

  • Turn up at our door unexpectedly offering special one-off or today only deals.
  • Ask for cash up front.
  • Offer to drive you to the bank to get money for payment.
  • Pressure you into accepting their offer.
  • Disappear and leave the job unfinished or of a poor standard.

If you are approached by someone you suspect to be a conman, contact the NSW Fair Trading Complaints line on 13 32 30, or your local police station, as these relate directly to fraud or possible offences under the Home Building Act.

What if I have a problem with my neighbour’s tree?

In the first instance you should discuss the matter with your neighbour, keeping in mind that tree pruning, or tree removal will require Council approval. Council will accept applications from neighbours provided you have acquired the owner’s consent of all listed property owners of the tree. The owner’s consent must be included with the application form.

If Council issues an approval permitting tree pruning or tree removal this does not compel the tree owner to carry out such tree work, nor does it imply that you have permission to enter your neighbour’s property to carry out the tree work.

To resolve disputes you may make application to the Land & Environment Court under the provisions of the Trees (Disputes between Neighbours) Act 2006. lec.justice.nsw.gov.au

Note, the Court cannot make an order in relation to a tree or a hedge unless it is satisfied that the applicant has made a reasonable effort to reach agreement with the neighbouring owner of the land on which the tree or hedge is situated.

What if I am in a Bush Fire affected area?

Council is unable to provide advice on the 10/50 Vegetation Clearing Code of Practice or the 10/50 Vegetation Clearing Entitlement Area. 

The RFS web page allows you to search for your property using an online tool which will determine if your property is within the entitlement area. RFS Vegetation Clearing Tool. RFS Vegetation Clearing Tool.