Carrathool Shire Council tree removal rules
Everything you need to know before removing or pruning a tree in the Carrathool Shire 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 Carrathool Shire Council?
Carrathool Shire Council generally does not require council approval to remove trees on private property — its tree controls don't apply to private land. Other laws (native vegetation, heritage, threatened species) may still apply, so confirm with the council.
Carrathool LEP 2012 Clause 7.6 provides for "preservation of trees or vegetation" but defers protection entirely to a development control plan (DCP). No specific DCP for tree/vegetation preservation was found on the council website or in legislation repositories. Without a prescribed DCP, the clause appears to provide no general protection for private-land trees—protection applies only to those species specifically prescribed in a DCP. Rural councils often lack such DCPs. 10/50 Vegetation Clearing Code exemptions may allow clearing in bushfire-prone areas. Contact council at 02 6965 1900 to confirm if a tree DCP exists and is current."
When you may not need approval
- Dead or dangerous trees
- Trees prescribed in development control plan (if any exists)
How to apply
Development approval required for prescribed trees (species-based, not size-based); deferral to DCP which does not appear to exist or be publicly available; private land not clearly protected absent DCP prescription
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 Carrathool Shire Council?
Fill in the tree details and we'll estimate whether you likely need council approval.