Upper Lachlan Shire Council tree removal rules
Everything you need to know before removing or pruning a tree in the Upper Lachlan 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 Upper Lachlan Shire Council?
Trees about 2.5m tall or 30cm trunk (circumference at 40 centimetres above existing ground level) or larger are generally protected and need approval.
Trees meeting size criteria (2.5m height, 30cm trunk circumference, or 2.5m branch spread) are protected in heritage items, ecologically significant areas, and wetlands; removal requires development consent or council permit.
When you may not need approval
- Exemptions may apply under Native Vegetation Act in non-urban areas
How to apply
Development consent or permit granted by Council
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 Upper Lachlan Shire Council?
Fill in the tree details and we'll estimate whether you likely need council approval.
Suburbs in Upper Lachlan Shire Council
- Bango
- Bannaby
- Bannister
- Bellmount Forest
- Bevendale
- Biala
- Big Hill
- Bigga
- Binda
- Blakney Creek
- Brayton
- Breadalbane
- Broadway
- Chatsbury
- Collector
- Crooked Corner
- Crookwell
- Cullerin
- Currawang
- Curraweela
- Dalton
- Fullerton
- Golspie
- Grabben Gullen
- Greenwich Park
- Gunning
- Gurrundah
- Jerrawa
- Lade Vale
- Laggan
- Lerida
- Limerick
- Lost River
- Merrill
- Middle Arm
- Mount Werong
- Myrtleville
- Narrawa
- Oolong
- Peelwood
- Pejar
- Pomeroy
- Richlands
- Roslyn
- Stonequarry
- Taralga
- Tarlo
- Tuena
- Wayo
- Wheeo
- Wiarborough
- Wollogorang
- Wombeyan Caves
- Woodhouselee
- Yalbraith