Tree Management

Overview

Council trees and private trees

Trees are a very important part of the environment. Trees improve the atmosphere by absorbing carbon dioxide and airborne pollutants and release oxygen into the air.

They also improve the appearance of the urban environment and provide shade in summer, which helps to lower the temperature, as well as provide habitat for native animals, birds and insects. It is for these reasons that we encourage tree planting and coordinate the retention of existing trees and a citywide tree planting program.

Looking after and managing trees requires input from the whole community.

Council trees

A Council tree is a tree located on council or public land such as parks, reserves or nature strips. A private tree is a tree located on your property. 

If you have an issue with a Council tree such as: 

  • pruning, removal, branch collection, infestation 
  • damage to private property caused by a Council tree 
  • a bushfire management enquiry.  

You can report the issue online: 

When submitting your request, please provide detailed information regarding the location of the tree such as any adjacent roadways, cross streets or land marks. 

Public Tree Inspection and Maintenance 

We are responsible for the maintenance of all trees on Council-managed land.   

A flexible approach to assessing applications to remove or prune trees will ensure that trees of high aesthetic and environmental value are only removed when deemed necessary.  

   

Tree touching a powerline?  

Council does not carry out tree pruning near power lines. If you have a question or query about a tree near power lines please contact Endeavour Energy by calling 133 718 or visit Endeavour Energy’s website . 

Tree planting on nature strips

Tree species include:

  • Elaeocarpus reticulatus (Blueberry Ash)
  • Trisainiopsis laurina (Water Gum)
  • Lagerstromia indica (Crepe Myrtle)
  • Callistemon viminalis (Bottlebrush)

Species to be planted are determined by our Open Space team and are dependent on current plantings that exist within the street.  

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, 13MB) and Tree Planting Guide(PDF, 2MB) to guide you in your planting choices and promote healthy ecosystems.

Did you know? one large tree can provide a day's supply of oxygen for a family of four and in one year, absorb 21 kilograms of carbon dioxide out of the air, thereby preventing it from going into the atmosphere.

Finding the right spot for your tree

Here's a few things to consider when choosing the right location:

  • Make sure there is room for the roots to grow: Aim to plant your tree no closer than 3 metres to your house to allow the roots to develop a strong base without growing against your house footings or stormwater and sewer pipes.
  • Maximise shade: Try to plant your tree in a location where it will filter direct sunlight during the hotter months.
  • Find a sunny spot: Most trees thrive in full sun, so avoid planting them in heavily shaded areas in your yard.
  • Look out for overhead power: Don't plant your tree directly below powerlines. Try and plant the tree at least 4-6 metres away from the lines.

 

Private trees

If you have an issue with a privately owned tree located on your property, such as: 

You can submit an application to Council by:  

  • Submitting an application online for this to be investigated 
  • Attending our front counter at the Civic Centre to collect a paper application form  

Before reporting issues, please read important information in the next section. 

Need to prune or remove a tree?

Trees within the boundaries of a private property may require Council approval to be pruned or removed, depending on the circumstances.
A tree is a perennial plant with at least one self supporting stem which;
i) has a height of more than 3 metres;
ii) has an outside circumference of at least 500mm at ground level; or
iii) has a branch and foliage crown spread of at least 4 metres.

There are a number of approval pathways for the clearing of trees on private land in Campbelltown. This page and the accompanying guides are intended to help you determine which pathway applies. Council prefers you engage an arborist (qualification level AQF 5) to assist you in this process.

The first step in determining which approval pathway applies is to determine the type of protection the vegetation has. There are four types of protection and each has a detailed information sheet which can be accessed at the links below:

To find out which level of protection applies, it is recommended an arborist be engaged who may email Council at declared.vegetation@campbelltown.nsw.gov.au with the following details:

  1. Customer contact details
  2. A site plan or marked up aerial photograph of the property showing which trees are proposed for clearing
  3. Photos of the tree
  4. Whether the clearing is pruning or removal of trees
  5. The reason for the clearing
  6. Advice if the tree has any hollows, is occupied by native wildlife or is on a slope greater than 20%.

Submitting for a private tree application

Private Tree Pruning/Removal Application

You can submit for your application online or you can come to our front counter and collect a paper form and submit your application in person. 

Once the application is lodged, the applicant will receive a notification letter and a payment receipt from the Council. After the application has been received, Council will undertake the initial inspection and assessment and will notify the Applicant within 10 business days of the outcome. Urgent applications will be processed as a priority.

Guidelines for submitting your application

 

Dead, Dying and Dangerous Tree Application

 

Penalties for illegal tree clearance 

Any person that undertakes or authorises tree clearance that contravenes the provisions of the State Environmental Planning Policy (Vegetation in Non-Rural Areas) shall be guilty of an offence against the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 and will be liable to prosecution.

A person found guilty of an offence against the Act shall be liable to a penalty. In addition to a penalty, a person found guilty of an offence may be required to plant new trees and vegetation, and maintain them to a mature growth.

Neighbourhood tree disputes

Council has limited capacity to intervene and resolve nuisance regarding overhanging tree branches and depositing of leaf litter onto your premises from trees on an adjoining property (private tree). 

If a tree from a neighbour’s land is causing damage to your property, or you are concerned that there is a risk of injury to a person, you should:

  • take photos of the damage
  • speak to your neighbour
  • refer to Legal Aid NSW to understand your options 
  • get a report from an arborist 
  • get a written quote for repairs. 

If you can’t reach an agreement with your neighbour through negotiation or mediation, an application can be made to the Land and Environment Court for an order to have the tree removed, maintained or compensation paid for the damage. Private Tree Dispute fact sheet(PDF, 136KB) 

It is important to note that approval may be required from Council for the removal of vegetation.  

For additional information about how to resolve a dispute with your neighbour about trees, hedges and overhanging branches please refer to Legal Aid NSW or contact them on 1300 888 529 between 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Fallen trees after storms

Powerful storms can fell trees and branches. Our Removal of fallen trees and branches following storm events brochure(PDF, 548KB) provides information on how to dispose of trees and branches following a storm event. If you need assistance with large fallen tree branches, please contact the SES on 132 500.

Storm Debris Clean Up

A storm event can result in a large amount of debris falling from trees. Council is only able to assist residents with storm debris clean up when a storm has been officially declared by the NSW State Government. At all other times, it is the responsibility of the resident to dispose of tree debris caused by inclement weather.

In the event of a storm being officially registered at a State level, Council can provide services to assist with the clean up of debris. Council requires notice of the required debris clean up within three (3) weeks of the registered storm event occurring. For enquiries, please contact Council’s City Works Division on 02 4645 4699.

If a storm has not been officially declared, tree debris can be disposed of in the garden organics bin provided by Council. Garden waste that is too large for the garden organics bin may be disposed of in a kerbside clean up service. Garden organics must be tied and bundled into 1-metre lengths. Large whole branches or trunks (eg palm tree trunks) thicker than 15 cm in diameter will not be accepted. There is a 1 cubic metre limit on the amount of material that will be collected and clean ups must be arranged in advance before placing material on the kerb. For enquires, please contact Council’s Waste and Recycling Services Section on 02 4645 4645.

Garden organics not suitable for placement in the garden organics bin or collection through Council’s clean up service can be disposed of at one of the local waste management centres. Please note that a fee may be charged for this service.

Significant Tree Register

Council has a Significant Tree Register that lists certain trees within the Campbelltown Local Government Area that have been classified as having significant values related to their visual, historic, botanical, cultural or commemorative significance.