Preservation and Management of Trees & Vegetation

An application for permission to remove or prune trees (pdf 74 KB) is necessary for any tree management on private land. For inspections of street trees or trees in reserves or parks, call Customer Services on 4232 0444.

Preservation and Management of Trees & Vegetation forms part of the Kiama Development Control Plan 2012 (Chapter 3). The objectives of which are to:

• Protect trees and other vegetation within the Kiama Local Government Area.
• Protect and enhance native vegetation, habitat for native fauna and biodiversity.
• Conserve tress and other vegetation of ecological, heritage, aesthetic and cultural significance.
• To define Council’s responsibilities and requirements with respect to the protection, retention and enhancement of trees and native vegetation.
• To ensure that consideration is given to trees and native vegetation in planning, designing and constructing development.
• Detail requirements for the submission of sufficient and relevant information by applicants, and rights of appeal against Council’s decisions.
• Identify trees and other vegetation that may be pruned or removed without the necessity for a permit or development consent.

Under sub-clause 5.9 of Kiama Local Environmental Plan 2011, a person must not ringbark, cut down, top, lop, remove, injure or wilfully destroy any tree or other vegetation, without development consent or a permit being granted by Council.  This clause applies to trees and vegetation that:
(a) are 3.0 metres or more in height; or
(b) have a diameter of 200 mm or more at a height of 1.0 metre above the ground; or
(c) have a branch spread of 3.0 metres or more.

Two processes have been established to deal with the assessment and approval of applications for the removal, lopping and pruning of trees/vegetation:
(a) permit (generally for individual/small scale tree removal in urban areas); and
(b) development consent as part of a development application.

You will need to read Chapter 3 Preservation and Management of Trees & Vegetation for assessment criteria, any additional information requirements, exemptions and other relevant information that will assist you in your application.

Any person who contravenes, or causes or permits to be contravened, the provisions of the Development Control Plan or the Local Environmental Plan shall be guilty of an offence.