In most cases you will require a Tree Permit Application

The Camden Development Control Plan (DCP) 2019 outlines what trees are protected in Camden. If your tree meets any of the below dimensions you will require a permit:

-          Three metres or more in height;

-          A trunk of 100mm diameter or more at one metre above ground; or

-          The branch span is three metres or more.

With some exemptions, tree removal or pruning, including to tree roots, requires Council approval. For more help on what trees are protected Report It or send an email to mail@camden.nsw.gov.au.

There are some exemptions from having to obtain Council approval including;

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

•              Removing a tree that harbours fruit fly;

•              Removing trees identified as a noxious weed, including;

o          Privet (Ligustrum spb).

o          African Olive (Olea africana).

o          Honey Locust (Gleditsia triacanthos).

o          Cocos Palm (Syagrus rhomanzofianum).

o          Chinese Celtis (Celtis sinensis).

•              Minor pruning of branches less than 50 millimetres in diameter as long as:

•              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.

If a tree on your property is dead, is posing an imminent risk, or other exemption under the DCP applies, you can submit a request for an exemption online Tree Exemption Form » Camden Council.

Public Trees in Camden are protected and maintained by Councils Urban Forest Services.

If you have any issues or concerns regarding public trees, please review the above and if required, Report It or send an email to mail@camden.nsw.gov.au. The tree will be assessed, and any necessary work will be carried out by our staff.

Please do not prune street trees yourself, trees and shrubs located on public land are protected by the Local Government Act 1993, fines may apply.

Please visit the Private Tree Page on our website for more information on how to apply for a permit via the NSW Planning Portal.

You will need to Register for an NSW Planning Portal account to start an application to Prune/Remove Trees and Vegetation.

In most cases you will require a Tree Permit, except where the vegetation is exempt. If your property located in a heritage area or has been identified as having high biodiversity value a Development Application (DA) may be required. In some cases, your application may not be able to be determined by Council and may need to go to the Native Vegetation Panel.

If you require more information on tree removal pathways, Report It or send an email to mail@camden.nsw.gov.au.

Once a determination has been issued it cannot be amended or reviewed by Council. It’s important to note the findings relate to the tree health and condition at the time of the assessment. If there is a meaningful change to the tree you should reapply for a permit providing this information.

If you are dissatisfied with the determination, you can appeal to the Land and Environment Court within three months of the determination.

An application for a review of the determination of a permit is not available under section 82A, 82B and 96AB of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act.

Council will assess your application within 28 days after payment has been received. This includes an inspection by a qualified Council arborist and completion of the assessment process.

If you have not been notified after 28 days, excluding any time waiting on further information, your application has been refused. We may grant or refuse a permit after this time even though it has been deemed to have been refused.

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 the requirements in writing to help with the arborist’s final report.

If your verge requires a street tree Report It or send an email to mail@camden.nsw.gov.au.

Council undertakes an annual street tree planting program to continue to build our urban tree canopy.

As part of the request, Councils officer will assess the location and select a tree species. Street tree species are carefully selected to align with the existing streetscape and strategic objectives.

Council also encourages you to plant trees within your private property to increase canopy cover.

Report It or send an email to mail@camden.nsw.gov.au, provide as much information as possible, including the address, contact information, photographs and what work is or has been undertaken will help staff determine if an approval has been provided and will follow up if additional information is required.

A tree will not be permitted for removal to increase solar access within private property. The Infrastructure SEPP 2007 outlines that if tree removal is required for facilitate a photovoltaic system or solar hot water system it is no longer Complying or Exempt Development.

Council understands shading of solar panels may affect the efficiency of your panels however the benefits trees provide to immediate environment are substantial. Talk to your solar installer to utilise alternative roof space, mounts, or micro inverters to optimise the efficiency of your system.

Grass clippings should be placed into a compost bin or disposed of through your green waste service. While mulching is beneficial to trees for moisture retention and nutrients, mulching with grass clippings is not recommended as it can cause root and collar rot and the tree may become unstable.

If mulch is applied, it should be spread as wide as possible and no deeper than seven to 10 centimetres. Applying mulch flush against the trunk will damage the bark.

Council requires all tree removal and pruning works to be undertaken by a qualified arborist holding a minimum AQF Level 3 Certificate in Arboriculture. Council recommends you obtain more than one quote and check that they are provided on company letterhead with an ABN number.

You should ensure your arborist does the following:

-          Provides you a copy of their qualification.

-          Works to the Australian Standard AS4373:2007 Pruning of Amenity Trees.

-          Adheres to WorkCover’s Code of Practice 2007 Standards for Tree Work.

-          Provides you copies Public Liability and Workers Compensation Insurances.

The following associations maintain list of qualified and insured arborists:

-          Arboriculture Australia

-          Tree Contractors Association

As a property owner, it is expected that some degree of house or exterior ground maintenance is required to retain surrounding trees. This is supported by the NSW Land and Environment Court with judgements that acknowledge that trees drop leaves, bark, sticks, flowers, fruit and sap as part of the natural cycle of life. On its own, this does not provide a basis for intervention with an urban tree and the benefits that trees provide outweigh the minor inconvenience of regular property maintenance.

You will need to lodge a Tree Permit Application (if it’s a private tree) or a Customer Request (if it’s a public or street tree) if you wish to have a tree removed.

In most cases you will require a Tree Permit Application or to lodge a Customer Request, unless the vegetation is exempt, located in a heritage area or has high biodiversity values.

Contact Council's Urban Forest Team on 13 22 63 for assistance in determining what type of approval may be required, if any exemptions are relevant and identify any other requirements.

Industry best practice outlines that Termites do not generally live in timber they attack but are located in underground nests up to 100m from where damage is identified. Additionally, if termite treatment is required, it doesn’t usually require tree removal.

If no termite nest has been identified on public land, there is no practicable way for Council to undertake termite treatment.

Termites are a part of the natural environment and play an important role in food webs and the breakdown of organic material. They only present issues when they penetrate the termite protection measures that are included as part of the construction of buildings.

Builders are responsible for providing a termite risk management (TRM) system as part of their work. Termite risk can be minimised when an effective TRM system is in place, and when homeowners carry out regular checks.

There are over 300 species of termites in Australia with only a small percentage of these posing a risk to timber dwellings. If you identify an active termite nest in public space near your house Report It or send an email to mail@camden.nsw.gov.au.

The first thing to do is talk to your neighbour about any issues you may have in regards to their tree. Council cannot resolve disputes over neighbouring trees and damage to private property.

Disputes between neighbours need to be resolved between the parties. If an agreement can’t be reached, the next step is mediation, organised by a Community Justice Centre or legal action in the Land and Environment Court.

Please note, this information and the relevant law (Tree (Disputes Between Neighbours) Act 2006) only applies to trees on private property. If you have concerns about a tree located on council land, Report It or send an email to mail@camden.nsw.gov.au.