Nambucca Valley Council tree removal rules
Everything you need to know before removing or pruning a tree in the Nambucca Valley 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 Nambucca Valley Council?
Nambucca Valley 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.
Nambucca Valley Council explicitly states it does NOT have a Tree Preservation Order currently in operation and cannot resolve disputes between neighbours relating to trees on private land. The Nambucca DCP 2010 does not prescribe any tree thresholds for removal on private land. Private-land tree disputes are governed by the NSW Trees (Disputes Between Neighbours) Act 2006 and state legislation, not local council control. Public land trees (street trees, riparian zones) are managed under separate council policies (ES10 Trees and Street Gardens, ES26 Trees on Public Land Guidelines) with defined size thresholds (trees over 4m high or 3m branch spread), but these do not apply to private land.
When you may not need approval
- All trees on private land are outside council control; trees on public land (e.g. street trees) are managed by council under separate policies (ES10, ES26)
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 Nambucca Valley Council?
Fill in the tree details and we'll estimate whether you likely need council approval.
Suburbs in Nambucca Valley Council
- Allgomera
- Argents Hill
- Bakers Creek
- Bowraville
- Brinerville
- Buckra Bendinni
- Burrapine
- Congarinni
- Congarinni North
- Donnellyville
- Eungai Creek
- Eungai Rail
- Girralong
- Gumma
- Hyland Park
- Kennaicle Creek
- Killiekrankie
- Macksville
- Missabotti
- Nambucca Heads
- Newee Creek
- North Macksville
- Scotts Head
- South Arm
- Spicketts Creek
- Talarm
- Tamban
- Taylors Arm
- Tewinga
- Thumb Creek
- Upper Taylors Arm
- Utungun
- Valla
- Valla Beach
- Warrell Creek
- Way Way
- Wirrimbi
- Yarranbella