Liverpool Plains Shire Council tree removal rules
Everything you need to know before removing or pruning a tree in the Liverpool Plains 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 Liverpool Plains Shire Council?
In Liverpool Plains Shire Council, removing or significantly pruning a protected tree generally needs council approval unless an exemption applies (see below).
Tree and vegetation removal requires council approval under Liverpool Plains LEP 2011 and DCP 2012, with exemptions for dead/dying trees not needed as native fauna habitat, trees presenting imminent danger to life/property (confirmed by arborist), minor heritage maintenance that preserves significance, and minor pruning per AS 4373-2007; the 10/50 bushfire-clearing code (10m from dwelling, 50m vegetation, 30cm+ circumference trees) applies only in mapped bushfire zones.
When you may not need approval
- Dead or dying trees (not required as native fauna habitat)
- Dangerous trees (risk to human life or property)
- Minor heritage maintenance (that would not adversely affect heritage significance)
- Minor pruning in accordance with AS 4373-2007
How to apply
Contact Liverpool Plains Shire Council (60 Station Street, Quirindi NSW 2343; phone 02 6746 1755) to apply for approval to manage trees or vegetation; specific requirements vary depending on tree location and heritage status.
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 Liverpool Plains Shire Council?
Fill in the tree details and we'll estimate whether you likely need council approval.
Suburbs in Liverpool Plains Shire Council
- Ardglen
- Big Jacks Creek
- Blackville
- Blandford
- Borambil
- Braefield
- Breeza
- Bundella
- Caroona
- Cattle Creek
- Chilcotts Creek
- Colly Blue
- Coomoo Coomoo
- Curlewis
- Currabubula
- Garoo
- Gowrie
- Little Jacks Creek
- Macdonalds Creek
- Murrurundi
- Parraweena
- Piallaway
- Pine Ridge
- Premer
- Quipolly
- Quirindi
- Spring Ridge
- Tambar Springs
- Wallabadah
- Warrah
- Warrah Creek
- Warrah Ridge
- Werris Creek
- Willow Tree
- Windy
- Yannergee
- Yarraman