Yes, but under certain conditions.
Under what conditions?
Removal of any tree is allowed to be carried out without a permit if;
- The tree is dead
- Dangerous
- A recognised horticultural varieties of trees grown for fruit production;
- An exempt tree (see list below)
- Declared a Noxious Weed under the Noxious Weeds Act 1993;
Exempt trees
There are trees that can be removed no matter what their size or condition as they are considered a pest by your local council. The above-listed conditions do not apply.
Does my council have an exempt tree list?
Yes, see table below
Common Name
Cootamundra wattle
Queensland Silver Wattle
Golden Wattle
Tree of Heaven
Bamboo
Hackberry
Camphor Laurel (Trees < 10m)
Lemon Tree
Mandarin Tree
Orange Tree
Grapefruit Tree
Loquat
Coral Tree
Eucalyptus nicholii
Willow Gum
Rubber Tree
Honey Locust
Broad Leaf Privet
Narrow-leaf Privet
Liquidambar
Apple trees
Mango
Mulberry
African olive
Canary Isl. Date Palm (w/ trunk < 4m)
Bamboo
Pine Trees
Poplars
Botanical name
Acacia baileyana
Acacia podalyriifolia
Acacia pycnantha
Ailanthus altissima
Bambusoideae
Celtis
Cinnamomum camphora
Citrus limon
Citrus reticulata
Citrus × sinensis
subtropical citrus
Eriobotrya japonica
Erythrina
Eucalyptus nicholii
Eucalyptus scoparia
Hevea brasiliensis
Gleditsia triacanthos
Ligustrum lucidum
Narrow-leaf Privet
Liquidambar
Malus species
Mangifera indica
Morus
Olea europaea
Phoenix canariensis
Bambusoideae
e.g. Pinus radiata
Populus tremula
Neighbourhood Tree Disputes
The council recognizes that in some cases there may be disputes between neighbours as a result of trees.
Such cases may arise from a tree posing a risk to your property or damaging it.
In such cases, the first approach recommended by the council is for you to contact your neighbour and discuss the matter to come up with a solution.
However, in cases where this does not work, you are required to seek the help of the Community Justice Centre to deal with the disputes.
Do I need a permit to prune trees?
Yes.
Just like tree removal, the council controls the pruning of trees.
As a result, you will need a permit to prune trees within the city.
In the application, you have to provide information that will convince the council to allow you to do the pruning.
The application can only be done by the property owner.
Follow the link below.
http://online.bankstown.nsw.gov.au/Docs/Common/Output/Document.aspx?qp=ZmLcb6tU%2b%2bcV0A60ki4OEg%3d%3d
Application for a review of private property tree determination
The council offers an application form for you to fill and submit.
Here is a link that you can follow to get it.
http://online.bankstown.nsw.gov.au/Docs/Common/Output/Document.aspx?qp=aQtT8dUQWkg%3d
Tree Management Manual
The Canterbury Bankstown Council has a set of guidelines that show how tree management should be carried out within the city.
You can get a pdf of the manual by following the link below.
How to apply for a tree removal permit
http://online.bankstown.nsw.gov.au/Docs/Temp/chOibXuDccKeGLvLTBWg.docx_005237.pdf
Go to the above online form and fill it out to make a formal request for tree removal approval.
Canterbury Bankstown Council contact details
Phone: (02) 97079000
Website: http://www.bankstown.nsw.gov.au
Canterbury Bankstown Tree Preservation order - TPO
The above is a summary of your local Councils tree preservation order. Please follow the link for the full document.
FAQ's
There are a few ways to go about it. You should always go for a qualified arborist with plenty of experience. Make sure they have more than 20 reviews online and have a minimum score of 4.5 stars or great.
We can match you with a top-voted tree Arborist service in Sydney here. Just enter your postcode and a few details about your tree job and get 3 obligation-free quotes from the local top voted contractors.
The cost to remove a tree will depend on a few different factors. Things like the size of the tree, number of branches, the species and location on your property will all play a role.
The average cost of tree removal is $871. But the real range is $225 – $4,500. Make sure you get at least 3 quotes before deciding on one company.
Tree removal and pruning is difficult to quote just by a description over the phone. Same goes for sending pics of the tree. This is because it is hard to gauge the actual size of a tree from images as well as look at access for machinery. An on-site inspection is needed to make sure you are given a fair price.
You may prune any branches that are hanging over your yard from your neighbour’s side, just as long as you are working within the cities Tree Preservation Order.
You may remove your neighbour’s branches, but if it violates council tree pruning laws, you will get a fine. You are best speaking to a local arborist first before proceeding.
Tree trimming will vary depending on the tree, number of branches and access. The average price of tree trimming is $429, but that the true price range is $75 – $1,800.
You can check out our Tree Trimming Cost Guide here to get a better idea of tree trimming cost by tree size. Or you can use this Free Service and compare local top rated tree service actual quotes.
Author: Ben McInerney is a qualified arborist with over 15 years of industry experience. He uses his in-depth knowledge of the tree service industry to give readers to most accurate information on tree service costs and helps to educate them about the benefits of using a certified arborist for tree trimming and removal work.
