Council is committed to minimising tree loss in Liverpool.
Trees benefit our environment by:
- Enhancing the streetscape;
- Reducing climatic extremes;
- Improve air quality; and
- Provide habitat for native wildlife.
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 Removal Permit
Anyone wishing to prune or remove a tree must obtain approval from Council by completing the Prune or Remove a Tree on a Private Property Application Form.
Council considers a variety of issues when assessing applications for the removal or pruning of trees. These considerations are fully outlined in Council's Tree Management Policy.
Fees
Please see Council's Fees & Charges.
Trees on Council Property
All requests to prune or remove trees that are located on footpaths or within parks and reserves should be emailed to Customer Service.
Exempt Trees
Approval is not required to remove the following trees:
| Name | Species |
|---|---|
Willow | Salix species |
Poplar | Poplar species |
Cootamundra Wattle | Acacia baileyana |
Coral Tree | Erithrina sykesii |
Rubber Trees | Ficus elastica and hybrids |
Golden Cypress | Cupressus macrocarpa "Brunniana" |
Norfolk Island Hibiscus | Lagunaria petersonii |
Large Leafed Privot | Ligustrum lucidum |
Small Leafed Privot | Ligustrum sinevise |
African Olive | Olea africana |
Camphor Laurel | Cinnamomum camphora |
Umbrella Tree | Schefflera actinophylla |
Cocus Palm | Syagrus romanzoffiana |
Rhus Tree | Toxicodendron succedaneum |
Honey Locust | Gleditsea Triacanthos |
Disputes Between Neighbours
If a dispute over a tree cannot be resolved between neighbours, advice and assistance is available from a variety of organisations. Please refer to the NSW Land and Environment Court Trees and Hedges page for further details.
What Not To Do
A person must not ring bark, cut down, top, lop, remove, injure or wilfully destroy any tree or other vegetation to which any such development control plan applies without a development consent or authorisation permit from Council.
A tree is defined as any perennial plant that has a:
- Height greater than 3.5 metres;
- Canopy spread greater than 4 metres; and/or
- Primary trunk diameter greater than 400 millimetres when measured one metre above existing ground level of the tree.
This clause does not apply to a tree or other vegetation that Council is satisfied is dead, dying or dangerous and is not required as the habitat of native fauna.
Any dead trees that form a component of any species, populations or communities listed under the provisions of the Threatened Species Conservation Act (TSCA) 1995 or their habitats are not to be removed without gaining the necessary approvals under the act.
