Under the Camden Development Control Plan (DCP) 2019 a tree is defined as any plant which meets one or more of the following requirements:

• Is three metres or more in height;
• Has a circumference of 300 millimetres or a diameter of 100 millimetres at a height of one metre above the ground surface; or
• Has a branch span of three metres or more.

Works to prune or remove a tree, including any work on tree roots, will require Council approval.

In most cases you will require a Tree Permit Application, 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.

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

• Routine pruning of trees or shrubs that form a continuous hedge;
• A tree that is confirmed dead by a qualified arborist, as long as it doesn’t contain any hollows or habitat resources;
• A tree that harbours fruit fly;
• 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.

Trees and shrubs located on public land is protected by the Local Government Act 1993.

Residents cannot prune or remove any Council street trees, as well as trees and managed vegetation within a nature strip, public reserve or park.

You can request an inspection and assessment of a tree on public land by lodging a request via email, or by calling Council.

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, located in a heritage area or it has high biodiversity values. In some cases, your application may not be able to be determined by Council and may need to go to the Native Vegetation Panel.

Contact Council's Urban Forest Services Team on 13 22 63 for assistance in determining what type of approval may be required.

Supporting information and owners consent (all owners) will be required and fees payable with the application.

It’s important to note the findings relate to the tree health and condition at the time of the assessment. If there is a significant change you can contact Council for more information, however you will not be able to make a similar application for a period of 12 months.

If you are dissatisfied with a decision made by Council, you can appeal to the Land and Environment Court within three months after the date on which you receive the determination.

Applications may take up to 28 days to process after payment has been received. This includes an inspection by a qualified Council arborist and completion of the assessment process.

Once determined, you will receive a permit which will outline what the approval allows and any other requirements.

Approval for removal is not always granted, The reason for that decision is based on the trees current health and structure at time of assessment, trees contribution to the local amenity and liveability to create a sustainable, liveable and cooler Greater Sydney. The retention and provision of tree canopy is in line with the premiers priorities for greener neighbourhoods and 40% canopy target.

Council undertakes an annual street tree planting program to continue to build our urban tree canopy. You can request a street tree via email or by calling Council.

As part of the request, Council will ensure there is adequate space for a street tree. The officer will consider where the tree could be positioned to ensure access and sight clearances are retained. Tree species are also carefully selected and generally aligns with the existing streetscape.

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

Contact Council and 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 follow up if additional information is required.

A Council-owned tree will not be removed to increase solar access within private property. Council understands shading of solar panels may affect the efficiency of your panels however the benefits trees provide to the environment is considered very important. Talk to your solar installer to see if you can use 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 to ensure that all relevant Australian standards are met. It’s also a good idea to get more than one quote and check that they are provided on company letterhead with an ABN number.

You should confirm your arborist has a current qualification and operates in accordance with Australian Standards for pruning of trees (AS 4373:2007) and WorkCover’s Code of Practice 2007 Standards for Tree Work. You should also ensure that your arborist holds Public Liability and Workers Compensation Insurances.

You can find a qualified arborist at:

• Arboriculture Australia https://www.arboriculture.org.au/ 1300 664 374; or
• Tree Contractors Association www.tcaa.com.au 1300 660 379
• Employing a qualified Arborist Factsheet 

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.

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.

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 trees and damage to private property.

It’s important to have as much detail as possible to inform your discussion with your neighbour. This could include an arborist report showing that the tree is causing damage, photographs, videos and quotes for the cost of removal/pruning of the tree and/or the repair of damage.

Under Common Law neighbours have the right to prune the branches of a tree overhanging their property to the property boundary line. If the tree is less than three metres tall, you do not need Council permission to undertake this pruning. If the tree is larger, you will need to lodge a Tree Permit Application and have it signed by the owner of the property the tree is located on.

Where the tree dispute can’t be resolved, the matter should be referred to the Community Justice Centre for assistance with mediation.

Ph: 1800 990 777 or visit the Community Justice Webpage

If mediation is unsuccessful you may wish to make an application to the NSW Land and Environment Court under the provisions of the Trees (Disputes between Neighbours) Act 2006.