Narrandera Shire Council tree removal rules
Everything you need to know before removing or pruning a tree in the Narrandera 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 Narrandera Shire Council?
Narrandera Shire Council protects effectively all trees on private land — removing or significantly pruning a tree generally needs council approval unless an exemption applies (see below).
Narrandera Shire Council DOES control tree removal on private land and requires council permission. No published numeric thresholds (height/DBH) found in publicly accessible sources. Council has a Trees Management Policy PDF but it is access-denied. The Trees page states compliance is strictly enforced with potential legal prosecution. Specific exemption size thresholds are not published online; contact council for details.
When you may not need approval
- Pruning of less than 10% of overhanging branches (for neighbor disputes)
- Precise exemption thresholds not published online
How to apply
Council approval required; council states it can be very costly if you remove, damage or lop a tree without council permission, especially if prosecuted in the Land and Environment Court
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 Narrandera Shire Council?
Fill in the tree details and we'll estimate whether you likely need council approval.