Blacktown City Council tree removal rules
Everything you need to know before removing or pruning a tree in the Blacktown City Council area — which trees are protected, the main exemptions, and how to apply for approval. This is the authoritative summary we keep for this council; always confirm against the official source linked below.
Legal basis: State Environmental Planning Policy (Biodiversity and Conservation) 2021, Ch. 2 (Vegetation in Non-Rural Areas) + each council's Development Control Plan (DCP).
Compiled from the council's published rules and cross-checked. Always confirm with the council.
Which trees are protected in Blacktown City Council?
Trees about 5m tall or 45cm trunk (circumference at 1.4m) or larger are generally protected and need approval.
Trees exceeding 5 metres height or 450mm trunk circumference at 1.4m above ground require Blacktown council consent for removal on private land; exemptions for dead, dying, or hazardous trees certified by qualified arborist, and noxious weeds are cited by secondary sources but exemptions list on the cited ArborPride page is incomplete.
When you may not need approval
- dead or dying trees
- trees in irreversible decline
- trees with potential to fail or collapse in short term
- environmental pest species
- declared noxious weeds
How to apply
Submit tree removal application form to Blacktown City Council, 62 Flushcombe Road or PO Box 63, Blacktown NSW 2148; fee applies (free for pensioners); council inspector assesses before approval granted.
Other rules that can override the above
- RFS 10/50 Vegetation Clearing scheme — in a designated bush-fire area you may be able to clear trees within 10m of your home (and underlying vegetation within 50m) without council approval. Check eligibility with the NSW RFS online tool; it does not override threatened-species or federal law.
- Heritage items and heritage conservation areas — trees are usually protected regardless of size and most exemptions fall away.
- Threatened species, endangered ecological communities and Aboriginal places — exemptions generally do not apply.
- Federal EPBC Act — separate Commonwealth approval can be required if removal would significantly impact a nationally listed species or community.
Do I need a permit in Blacktown City Council?
Fill in the tree details and we'll estimate whether you likely need council approval.
Suburbs in Blacktown City Council
- Acacia Gardens
- Angus
- Arndell Park
- Bidwill
- Blackett
- Blacktown
- Bungarribee
- Colebee
- Dean Park
- Dharruk
- Doonside
- Eastern Creek
- Emerton
- Glendenning
- Glenwood
- Grantham Farm
- Hassall Grove
- Hebersham
- Huntingwood
- Kellyville Ridge
- Kings Langley
- Kings Park
- Lalor Park
- Lethbridge Park
- Marayong
- Marsden Park
- Melonba
- Minchinbury
- Mount Druitt
- Nirimba Fields
- Oakhurst
- Parklea
- Plumpton
- Prospect
- Quakers Hill
- Richards
- Riverstone
- Rooty Hill
- Ropes Crossing
- Rouse Hill
- Schofields
- Seven Hills
- Shalvey
- Shanes Park
- St Marys
- Stanhope Gardens
- Tallawong
- The Ponds
- Toongabbie
- Tregear
- Vineyard
- Whalan
- Willmot
- Woodcroft