Arborist and Tree Removal Newcastle

Important!

In most cases a permit is not required from the City of Newcastle for pruning of trees or shrubs on private land, however a Pruning Specification form may be required to be completed.

The Newcastle Urban Forest Technical Manual (herein referred to as the Manual) is to be consulted before undertaking pruning works in all circumstances.

Pruning that does not require a pruning specification

A pruning specification is not required to prune trees and shrubs on private land where:

• the tree or shrub is less than 5m in height
• the pruning is to remove branches that are within 1m of a dwelling, formal path or driveway
• the pruning does not alter the overall shape or structure of the tree
• the branches removed are less than 100mm in diameter at the final cut
• the final cut is at a branch collar or appropriate growth point (refer to Section 2.3 of the Manual)

Pruning requiring a pruning specification to be completed

For trees and shrubs greater than 5m in height a Tree Pruning Specification form must be completed and the following criteria must be met:

• the property owners consent has been obtained.
• the Tree Pruning Specification form has been prepared by an AQF Level 3 Arborist in accordance with Australian Standard AS4373 - 2007.
• the pruning work is carried out by a minimum AQF Level 2 Arborist in accordance with the prepared specification and AS4373 - 2007.
• the completed pruning specification form must be retained by the property owner for a period of two years.
• if the tree or shrub is (or forms part of) a Heritage item, known Aboriginal object or place of Aboriginal significance, the completed pruning specification form must be submitted to the City of Newcastle along with a Heritage Minor Works form. Pruning work should not be undertaken until City of Newcastle endorsement has been granted in these instances.

Newcastle City Council Tree Removal has certain guidelines for residential and rural property owners.

The Newcastle Urban Forest Technical Manual is separated into three parts based on the land on which the tree, shrub or other vegetation is located, and the type of vegetation present. The two parts relevant to tree or vegetation removal on private land are:

• Part A - Private Trees: provides guidance on the management of trees and shrubs located on private land.
• Part C - Native Vegetation Communities: provides guidance on the management of native vegetation communities or assemblages on private land.

Part A - Private Trees

Private Tree Removal - Exempt Criteria (no application required)

In accordance with Part A of the Manual there are some instances where approval is not required for the removal of trees or shrubs on your property. To remove a tree or shrub without approval on your property the tree or shrub must meet one of the following criteria:

1. The tree or shrub poses an immediate risk to life or property due to a demonstrated sudden change to its structure as a result of a severe storm or wind event. Documentation for removal must be in accordance with Part A Section 3.3 (1) of the Manual. The person carrying out the removal must complete a Report Storm Damage Tree Removal Form. Clear photos are required to support the removal of the tree and must show the tree in context, its relationship to dwellings, other trees or structures, and clear images of the damaged sections of the tree. The completed storm damage form and photographic evidence must be retained for at least 2 years. You are not required to submit the completed form and evidence to Council unless the storm damaged tree is (or forms part of) a heritage item, in which case you must submit your completed storm damage form and evidence to Council within 5 working days of the tree removal.
2. The tree is dying or dead, and the requirements of Section 3.3 (2) of Part A of the Manual have been met. Clear photos are required to support the removal of the tree and must show the tree in context, its relationship to dwellings, other trees or structures, and clear images showing that the tree is dying or dead. A Dead or Dying Tree Removal Form must be completed. You are not required to submit the completed form and evidence to Council, however it must be retained for at least 2 years.
3. The tree is less than 3m in height or with a circumference at breast height (1.4m above ground level) less than 450mm for a single trunk tree, or less than 300mm for each trunk of a multi-trunk tree. See Section 3.3 (3) of Part A of the Manual.
4. The shrub is less than 5m in height and is not part of a native vegetation community.
5. The tree or shrub is located within 3m of the wall of an existing principal building (excluding carports, garages, pergolas, fences, retaining walls and the like) on the land where it is situated or on adjacent privately owned. See Part A Section 3.3 (5) of the Manual.
6. The tree or shrub is part of native vegetation previously planted for agriculture, agroforestry, forestry, horticulture or woodlot purposes.

Note: Exempt criteria items 2 to 6 above cannot be applied to trees or shrubs that are (or form part of) a heritage listed item, Aboriginal object or are located within a place of Aboriginal significance. In these instances a Private Tree Removal Application will be required to be submitted.

Private Tree Removal - Application Required

Owners of trees or shrubs that do not meet any of the above criteria will need to submit an application form as outlined below.

• For removal of three or less trees (or shrubs) with replacement planting: complete and lodge a Private Tree Removal Application Form. You will also need to provide a clear diagram indicating the location of the tree/s to be removed, the reasons for removal and the location and botanical name of the replacement tree/s you intend to plant. Please note: trees you have recently planted cannot be considered as part of this application - replacement tree planting should not be undertaken until after you have been granted approval to remove a tree. Please refer to Part 4 of the application form.
• For removal of more than three trees (or shrubs), or for removal of three or less where no replacement planting is proposed: complete and lodge a Private Tree Removal Application Form. You must also provide a current Level 5 Arborist Report which demonstrates removal is the only option after considering all other reasonable options (in accordance with the Manual). Please note: the arborist report you provide must have been completed within the previous six months. Your application will be denied if the arborist report is older than six months and you will be required to submit a brand new application. Please refer to Part 5 of the application form.

Removal of trees/shrubs for future development is not permitted. Tree/shrub removal associated with a development will be assessed as part of the Development Application process.

Part C - Native Vegetation Communities

Part C of the Manual is to be consulted where the removal of more than three tree/shrubs is within a native vegetation community, wetlands, riparian zones or endangered ecological communities on private land. In these instances a Native Vegetation Removal Form must be completed and submitted to Council.

A removal permit will not be issued if the vegetation pruning or clearing exceeds the biodiversity offsets scheme threshold (refer to Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 for further information), or is on land identified by the Biodiversity Values Map as defined by the Biodiversity Conservation Regulation 2017. Please confirm with the Office of Environment and Heritage: Biodiversity Offsets Scheme entry requirements.

North Lambton   

Rankin Park   

Redhead   

Sandgate   

Shortland   

The Junction   

Tighes Hill   

Wallsend   

Warabrook   

Waratah