Tree Removal Woollahra Council Regulations

Updated: 15 December 2021

Can I remove a tree in Woollahra Council without a council permit?

Yes, but under certain conditions

Under what conditions?

You may remove trees that;

• Have height less than 5m
• Have a canopy spread less than 3m
• Dead trees
• Emergency and safety-related tree work
• Listed undesirable tree species, and (see: https://tinyurl.com/y96l6zcr)

No Exempt trees.

The Woollahra Council has two main types of tree works approvals.

You can get any of them based on what you are looking for. They include;

1. Development Application (DA) consent

A DA is required in one of the following cases.

• If the tree work in question is part of a development or building work going on.
• In case the tree removal process is proposed for those trees identified as an Environmental Heritage Item and are within schedule 5 of Woollahra LEP. Or the tree is listed under a Significant tree.

2. Removal permit

This is a type of approval that is mostly given for removal and pruning works.

The majority of approvals fall under this category.

They include;

• Other works done on trees which do not require a DA.
• Minor works on trees that are identified as either Environmental Heritage Item, On land in a Heritage Conservation Area or On land identified as an Environmental Heritage Item

During the application assessment, the following factors will be considered.

• Tree’s significance
• Effect to streetscape
• Effect on biodiversity
• Personal injury risk posed by the tree
• Tree’s risk of damaging structures, buildings and services
• Heritage or cultural significance
• Does it form part of remnant indigenous vegetation?
• Trees’ extent on other property
• Tree’s stability, structural state and health.

Yes, there is room for a review of the determination.

You have to lodge your application for review within 12 months after the original decision. You will have also to pay 50% of the original fee.

Here is a link to review the application.

Yes.

But, under certain conditions.

In cases where your trees are overhanging public areas such as carriageway and walkways and causing any obstruction, you will be contacted and asked to either remove or prune.

Go to this online form and fill it out to make a formal request for tree removal approval.

Phone: 0293917000
Mailing Address: PO Box 61 Double Bay NSW 1360 DX 3607 Double Bay
Website: http://www.woollahra.nsw.gov.au

The above is a summary of your local Councils tree preservation order.

Please follow the link for the full document.