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Community

Tree management

Tree management - Campbelltown City Council

What should I plant at home?



Planting native species has a number of benefits for the local environment. Council has developed a Native Gardening Guide (PDF, 2MB) and Tree Planting Guide (PDF, 1.8MB) to guide residents in their planting choices and promote healthy ecosystems.

Need to prune or remove a tree on private property?



Council approval is required for pruning or removal from any private tree that is:

  • More than three metres high
  • Has a spread of more than three metres
  • Has a trunk diameter of more than 150mm measured one metre above ground level.

This does not include trees that have been declared under the Noxious Weeds Act.

We make an effort to retain and protect trees and will not approve the removal of a tree unless the following criteria are evidenced.

A valid reason for removing a tree could be:


  • The tree is dead
  • The tree is less than three metres from a dwelling
  • The tree is presenting a danger to life or property
  • The tree is causing structural damage to a structure or sewer
  • The tree is stressed or diseased or suffering insect damage which cannot be rectified
  • The tree is too large for its location.

A valid reason for the pruning of a tree could be:


  • The tree is overhanging a dwelling or adjoining property and presents a danger to life or property
  • To remove dead or diseased branches.

An invalid reason for removal or pruning could be:


  • Removal of trees for solar access, leaf, branch or fruit drop, bird or bat droppings
  • Healthy and stable
  • Pruning that would compromise trees health and/or stability
  • Emotional motivation
  • Hindering garden or grass growth
  • Causing minor damage to structures such as footpaths or driveways.

If a neighbour's tree is causing concern or damage to property or underground pipes, it's recommended that you discuss the problem with your neighbour first, as they may be unaware of the concern or damage the tree is causing.

Where agreement on a course of action cannot be agreed on, help is available from the Community Justice Centre (phone 1800 990 777).

If a dispute is unable to be resolved, action can be taken at the Land and Environment Court under the Trees (Disputes Between Neighbours) Act 2006.

How to apply


An application for approval to remove or prune a tree can be made to us by completing a Private Tree Application (PDF, 46KB) at our Customer Service Front Counter.

Associated costs in Council's Fees and Charges will apply when your application is processed.

Once we have received your application, one of our officers will inspect the tree within 14 days and will either:

  • Request further information or reports
  • Issue an approval for the removal of the tree/s
  • Issue an approval for the pruning of the tree/s
  • Decline to issue an approval and where possible, provide suggestions to overcome the concerns that led to the application being made.

Trees more than 10 metres tall


Generally, if the tree is more than 10 metres tall, some of the following information may need to be provided to substantiate an application:

  • A report from a qualified arborist
  • A report from a plumber if the reason for removal is damage to sewer lines
  • A report from a pest control specialist if the reason for removal is insect damage, and the extent of the damage cannot be easily observed
  • A report from a structural engineer if the reason for removal is structural damage, and the extent of the damage cannot be easily observed.

Please note, we do not provide these services.

For further information regarding tree removal, please contact our Customer Service Centre on 4645 4000.

Overhanging branches



Branches overhanging a footpath can potentially cause an obstruction, preventing pedestrians a clear passageway.

If you see overhanging branches from a Council owned tree, please report it to our Customer Service officers on 4645 4000.

Property owners are responsible for trees within their property boundary and should ensure overhanging branches are pruned back from the footpath to avoid injury.

Council trees



Any issues relating to Council owned trees, please report it to our Customer Service officers on 4645 4000.

Neighbourhood tree disputes



Trees and hedges can sometimes lead to disputes between neighbours. This fact sheet (PDF, 318KB) outlines how to address these disputes should they occur.

 

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Contact Us

24 hour telephone service:
(02) 4645 4000
Fax:
(02) 4645 4111
Postal Address:
PO Box 57, Campbelltown NSW 2560
Civic Centre Street Address:
Corner Queen and Broughton Streets, Campbelltown
Opening hours:
8.30am - 4.30pm
(Cashier 8.30am - 4.15pm)
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© 2013 Campbelltown City Council