Tree work in the Georges River Local Government Area (LGA) is guided by the Georges River Development Control Plan (GRDCP) 2021. It outlines what is allowed and the requirements for tree work in the Georges River LGA.

Before you start any tree work, check if you need a Council permit or if the work is exempt. The Tree Management Policy lists which tree works and species are exempt.

Doing tree work without the right approval may break the law. This includes:

• State Environmental Planning Policy (Biodiversity and Conservation) 2021.

• Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.

Only Council can prune or remove public trees. If a tree on the nature strip needs work, please lodge a service request with Council.
 

How to Apply for a Tree Permit (Private Property)

If you need a permit to prune or remove a tree on private land, follow these steps:

1. Complete the Application Form: Fill out the Application to Prune or Remove Tree(s) on Private property.

2. Lodge your Application: Submit your completed form at our Customer Service Centre. You’ll need to pay an application fee when you lodge it. Visit the Fees and Charges page for details.

3. Council Assessment: Tree permit applications are made pursuant to provisions of State Environmental Planning Policy (Biodiversity and Conservation) 2021.

Before your application is approved, please be aware:

• For pruning of a neighbouring tree, a direct neighbour can apply for pruning. However, Council cannot grant permission for access to the property as only the owner or their authorised agent can grant permission for access. They do not need the tree owner’s permission for a pruning application as long as pruning works do not go beyond the boundary.

• A neighbour cannot apply to remove a neighbouring tree, only the owner or their authorised agent can apply.

• For a heritage listed item, tree removal needs to be assessed and approved through a Development Application (DA).

• For a heritage listed item, tree pruning can be assessed and approved though a tree permit application.

• For trees located within a Heritage Conservation Area (HCA), tree pruning can be assessed and approved though an Application to Prune or Remove Tree(s) on Private Property.

• For trees located within an HCA, tree removal may be assessed and approved through an Application to Prune or Remove Tree(s) on Private Property if Council is satisfied that the tree is a risk to human life or property, pursuant to Clause 5.10(3)(c) of the Georges River Local Environmental Plan (2021).  Supporting evidence, including an Arboricultural report and Tree Risk Assessment by a qualified arborist (minimum AQF5 in Arboriculture), is required to be submitted to justify the risk to human life or property. In all other circumstances, tree removal must be assessed and approved through a Development Application (DA).

• For a tree that has development condition imposed the applicant will need to submit a modification of consent.

• An appropriately qualified and delegated council officer will inspect the site and undertake a Visual Tree Assessment. Following the site inspection, a written permit will be sent to the applicant advising them of the outcome and what tree work has been approved.

• Specific conditions will be detailed within the permit.

Penalties

If persons are found to have breached the State Environmental Planning Policy (Biodiversity and Conservation) 2021 or the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, 1979 (NSW) the following penalties apply:

Penalties vary from $1,500 for individuals to $6,000 for corporations. This is in the form of a Penalty Notice. The maximum penalty can reach $5 million for offences under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, especially if the offence caused or could cause significant harm to the environment. 
 

Undesirable Species in Georges River Council

Common Name	Botanical Name
Bamboo	Bambusa spp
Black Locust	Robinia pseudoacacia
Black Mulberry	Morus nigra
Camphor Laurel (with height < 6m)	Cinnamomum camphora
Canary Island Date Palm (with height < 6m)	Phoenix canariensis
Chinese Hackberry (with height < 6m)	Celtis sinensis
Cocos Palm	Syagrus romanzoffianum
Common Willow	Salix babylonica
Contoneaster	Contoneaster spp.
Cootamundra Wattle	Acacia baileyana
Coral Tree Cockspur Coral Tree	Erythrina x sykesii Erythrina crista-galli
Hibiscus, excluding: - Native Rosella - Cottonwood Hibiscus	Hibiscus spp, excluding: - Hibiscus heterophyllus - Hibiscus tiliaceus
Honey Locust	Gleditsia triacanthos
Norfolk Island Hibiscus	Lagunaria patersonii
Lombardy Poplar	Populus nigra 'Italica'
Oleander	Nerium oleander
Privet – broad leaf	Ligustrum lucidum
Privet – narrow leaf	Ligustrum sinense
Running bamboo	Phyllostachys spp
Rhus tree	Toxicodendron spp
Rubber Tree	Ficus elastica
Silky Oak (with height < 6m)	Grevillea robusta
Tree of Heaven	Ailanthus altissima
Umbrella Tree	Schefflera actinophylla
Wild Olive/African Olive	Olea europaea subsp cuspidata

If you wish to notify us of a tree on Council land which requires pruning, please submit a service request via our Contact Us page.

You can learn more about tree management in Georges River by checking our Georges River Development Control Plan (GRDCP) 2021.