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Council is committed to the protection of trees but we understand people need to maintain and manage trees on their property. Trees can be planted in the wrong location, can get too big, have storm damage or can cause neighbourly disputes. Council has a commitment to preserving the trees within our urban environment, this means if you want to carry out any pruning or removal of trees on private property, generally, you will need to apply for a permit. In some instances, an exemption may apply.
If you do need a tree permit, then it will be assessed by one of Council’s qualified AQF level 5 consulting Arborists using current industry methodologies and standards.
The controls regarding the pruning and removal of trees on private and public land are found within Part 5.3.4 (Tree and Vegetation Preservation) of Parramatta Development Control Plan (DCP) 2023:
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Tree protection controls apply to private trees and palms. Before you prune or remove a tree from your residential or business property you may be required to apply for permission if it falls into one of these categories:
a. Any tree or palm - whether indigenous, endemic, exotic or introduced species with a height equal to or exceeding five (5) metres or
b. Any tree with a height equal to or exceeding three (3) metres that has been intentionally planted; and/or is required to be planted and is to be maintained as part of a development condition of consent or tree permit determination notice.
c. Forms part of a heritage item, or that is within a Heritage Conservation Area (HCA).
- You can check if your property is listed as a heritage item or within a Heritage Conservation Area on the NSW ePlanning spatial viewer alternatively for site-specific information such as statement of significance please visit Heritage NSW to search via the state heritage inventory.
d. It is mapped as Biodiversity on the Biodiversity Map (contact Council if you are unsure)
e. The tree is within an Endangered Ecological Community (EEC) or Critically Endangered Ecological Community (CEEC).
- Note this is regardless of the size or proximity of the tree/s to an approved dwelling.
- If a tree is identified as part of an ecological community listed under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 then an “Assessment of Significance” must be prepared by a qualified ecologist and submitted to Council with your application.
f. Forms part of an Aboriginal object or is within an Aboriginal place of heritage significance.
g. Is listed on the NSW Heritage Register.
h. You wish to prune more than 10% of a tree / canopy / foliage
i. It has been conditioned for retention as part of a condition of consent for an approved development.
j. Trees in properties under development
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Council cannot approve the removal of a tree based on a future proposed development; it can only be removed based on the Arboricultural merits of the tree.
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If you wish to remove a tree as part of a future development related to a Complying Development (CDC) for example, then the Tree Application Form is not the correct process to apply for tree removal works. Please contact the Customer Service Centre to make an appointment with the Council’s Duty Planner to discuss.
k. Public trees – click here for more details or please contact the Customer Service Centre to make an appointment with the Council’s Duty Planner to discuss.
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In accordance with Parramatta’s Development Control Plan (DCP) 2023, chapter 5.3.4 Tree and Vegetation Preservation certain trees do not require a permit or development application approval for removal or pruning.
It is recommended you first review the exemption provisions and confirm your tree is exempt before any tree works are carried out. Penalties, including fines, may be issued to a person or company found guilty of contravening these controls.
- You can remove a tree where you have provided Council evidence in the form of photographic evidence and/or in conjunction with a written statement from an AQF level 5 Consulting Arborist and Council is satisfied the tree is:
a. Dead or dying, and it is not the habitat of native wildlife or on land mapped as ‘Biodiversity’ under Parramatta LEP 2023
b. Posing an imminent risk to human life and / or is likely to cause substantial damage to your property as per Clause 2.7 Clearing that does not require permit or approval of the Biodiversity and Vegetation SEPP. A tree risk assessment may need to be undertaken by a qualified AQF level 5 Consulting Arborist that will consider:
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likelihood of failure
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likelihood of impacting a target & the consequences of impact
- You can remove a tree if it is listed on the City of Parramatta Exempt tree species list. Council may request evidence in the form of photographic imagery and/or a written statement from an AQF level 5 consulting arborist to show the tree is one of the exempt species if required for clarification by Council.
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If the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) has designated your property to be in a 10/50 area and your tree is located within 10m of your approved dwelling (note this does not include any neighbouring property).
- First check the NSW Rural Fire Service online tool to see if your property falls within this area.
- Council may request details, photograph evidence and measurements to ensure the tree is wholly located within 10m of your approved dwelling.
- The tree is less than 3 metres in height and it is not on land mapped as ‘Biodiversity’ under Parramatta LEP 2023.
- It is approved for removal to facilitate an approved development and is listed in the conditions of consent.
- Minor pruning works do not require approval from Council if carried out in accordance with Australian Standard AS4373 – 2007, ‘Pruning of Amenity trees’ and are in accordance with the following restrictions:
- Removal of deadwood for the purpose of tree maintenance.
- Selective pruning for building clearance, overhead wire / line clearance or general maintenance (up to 5% of the foliage). Only pruning of branches no larger than 50mm diameter at the nearest branch collar and where the owner of the land where the tree originates, provides written consent.
- Selective pruning of branches or foliage emanating over public land from privately owned trees where vehicle or pedestrian access is required to be restored.
Pruning or removing a tree on your property
(Back to top)Before you prune or remove a tree from your residential or business property you may be required to apply for permission, as outlined below.
Tree protection controls
Tree protection controls for most of the Council area generally apply to any tree or palm, whether it is a native or an exotic species that:
- Has a height equal to or exceeding 3 metres
- Forms part of an Aboriginal object, or that is within an Aboriginal place of heritage significance
- Forms part of a heritage item, or that is within a heritage conservation area
- Any tree or mangrove vegetation located on public land, irrespective of size
- Is listed on the NSW Heritage Register.
The controls regarding the pruning and removal of trees on private land are found within part 5.3.4 (Tree and Vegetation Preservation) of the Parramatta Development Control Plan (DCP) 2023.
Tree permit application
(Back to top)If the tree/trees are protected under the relevant tree protection controls or if your property or tree is not listed as the following:
- A Heritage Listed item
- Within a Heritage Conservation Area
- An Aboriginal object
- Within an Aboriginal place of heritage significance
You will need to submit a Tree permit application form
Applicable fees for Tree Permit Applications are:
- 1 Tree - $143.50
- Each additional tree - $121.50
(A discount of 25% of the total application fee is available for holders of a Pensioner Concession Card, Commonwealth Seniors Health Card issued by Centrelink or a Pensioner Concession Card issued by the Department of Veterans' Affairs).
Lodgement is available on the Council’s Online Portal or in person at Council’s Customer contact Centre.
Approved works must be completed within two years from the date of consent.
Development application for tree works in a Heritage Conservation Area
(Back to top)If you want to remove a tree and your property or tree is listed as:
- A Heritage Listed item
- Within a Heritage Conservation Area
- An Aboriginal object
- Within an Aboriginal place of heritage significance
You can check if your property is listed as a heritage item or within a Heritage Conservation Area on the NSW ePlanning spatial viewer alternatively for site-specific information such as statement of significance please visit the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage to search via the state heritage inventory.
If you are just wanting to commence minor tree works* such as pruning only, you are still able to apply for a tree permit application.
*Minor tree works are generally considered as pruning for general crown maintenance or modification with consideration to the guidelines set out in Australian Standard 4373 Pruning of amenity trees.
Where Council is satisfied that the minor tree works will not adversely affect a Heritage Item or the Heritage significance of the Heritage conservation area, an Aboriginal object or an Aboriginal place of heritage significance a permit may be issued.
How to lodge a development application for tree works
(Back to top)You will need to submit a Development application for tree works (DAT) through the NSW Planning Portal, you will need to first register an account with the portal. After registering, you will be able to lodge the application and then follow the prompts to upload the required information and documentation.
All DATs lodged with the City of Parramatta will be initially processed as a “Development lodgement application”.
For online lodgements, all initial correspondence will be through the NSW Planning Portal, including notification of acceptance or return of an application, and a notification of what fees are to be paid and how that payment can be made.
The development type to be selected for the application must be ‘Other’. The description for the development application should be ‘Removal of a tree located within a Heritage Item or Heritage Conservation Area’.
Development lodgement applications
(Back to top)The development lodgement process is as follows:
1. Customer fills in the Development application for tree works (DAT) together with any supporting documentation
2. Customer lodges the application:
- Online via the NSW Planning Portal
- There is no fee payable at this stage. Do not send in cheques with applications.
- An acknowledgement letter will be issued.
- Hard copies of plans or any other documents are not required to be submitted.
- Online – all documents and plans are to be uploaded to the portal.
3. Council will review the documentation within 72 business hours of receipt of the application (working days). The customer will be contacted for the following:
- Acceptance of the application and request for an assessment fee.
- Return of the application with a request for additional information to be provided.
4. If the application is accepted, a fee payment request will be forwarded through the portal along with any additional information requirements.
5.When the required fee is paid, the application will then be lodged as a Development Application Tree Works and assessment of the application will commence.
Additional information such as an arboricultural report, heritage impact statement, structural engineer’s report, plumber’s report or a Landscape Plan may be required to support your Development Application for Tree works (removal).
Written consent is required by all owners of the land upon which the works are proposed to be undertaken.
Development Applications are required to be notified in accordance with the Development Control Plan that applies to the site.
Please note that you & cannot apply for a Development Application for Tree works if the property or tree is not a heritage-listed item, not within a Heritage Conservation Area, is not an Aboriginal object or is not within an Aboriginal place of heritage significance. All other requests for tree removal or pruning must be done via a Tree Permit Application.
All approved tree works must be completed within two years from the date of any consent.
Your neighbour's tree
(Back to top)Tree foliage blocking sunlight, roots blocking drains, overhanging branches or damaging roots from a neighbour's tree can be a source of conflict between neighbours. Often property owners approach Council with their concerns hoping that Council will resolve the matter.
Unfortunately, we are unable to negotiate or intervene in tree disputes as this is considered a civil matter. Once an agreement between neighbours is established, the Tree Permit Application/ Development Application for Tree works steps outlined on this page are to be followed.
If an amicable resolution cannot be reached between neighbours, the next course of action would be to involve an independent mediator such as the Community Justice Centre.
If this is unsuccessful the final option is to lodge an application with the Land and Environment Court under the Trees (Disputes between Neighbours) Act 2006.
Exempt trees
(Back to top)Certain trees do not require a permit or development application approval for removal or pruning. It is recommended you confirm your tree is exempt by reviewing the exemption provisions contained in the relevant Development Control Plan for your area:
5.3.4 (Tree and Vegetation Preservation) of the Parramatta Development Control Plan (DCP) 2023
Exemptions do not apply where any tree:
- Is located on a site classified as being part of a vulnerable, threatened or endangered ecological community or provides or has the potential to provide habitat for native fauna or fauna classified as vulnerable or threatened under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (NSW) or the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Commonwealth)
- Forms part of a heritage item or place
- Is within a heritage conservation area
- Forms part of an Aboriginal object
- Is within an Aboriginal place of heritage significance
- Is on public land.
Reviewing a decision
(Back to top)If you are dissatisfied with a decision Section 12 of the State Environmental Planning Policy (Vegetation in Non-Rural Areas) 2017 [NSW] gives you the right to appeal to the Land and Environment Court within 3 months after the date on which you receive the Determination.
Selecting a tree work contractor
(Back to top)For detailed information on selecting a tree work contractor, please visit Safework NSW
