Vegetation removal permit

If you want to clear vegetation from your property, you will need to apply to council. 

Trees on public land, including nature strips and parks, are Council assets and can only be pruned or removed by Council staff.

Things to include in your application:

  • You will need to have the vegetation inspected by a qualified arborist and attach the inspection report to your application.
  • You also need to provide a site plan, which should include the following: 
  • Show the position of all buildings, boundaries and other relevant structures
  • Indicate the approximate location of the tree/s listed
  • Indicate the front and rear of property
  • If necessary, identify tree/s by tying a piece of string to the trunk
  • Indicate street frontage
  • Indicate the approximate direction of north 

Application fees also apply.

 

Submit an application

Step 1.Login to the MRC Customer Portal

Head to our Customer Portal: login or create an account.

Step 2.Commence your application

  • Once your account is set up, you can commence your application via the portal.
  • Head to the ‘Applications’ section on your home page, then ‘Permits, Licences and Approvals’.
  • Select the ‘Removal of Vegetation on Private Property’ option from the drop-down menu to commence the application.

Step 3.Submit for review

Once the application is submitted through the Portal, an initial review will be carried out to check the information provided is sufficient for Council to accept. If we need more information before the application can be accepted, an officer will contact you to request this information or for further clarification.

Step 4.Assessment

Our officers will assess the application and notify you of the outcome.  

 

 

Notes

1. This application applies to the following zones within Council*: Zone RU5 Village, Zone R1 General Residential, Zone R2 Low Density Residential, Zone R5 Large Lot Residential, Zone B2 Local Centre, Zone B6 Enterprise Corridor, Zone IN1 General Industrial, Zone SP1 Special Activities, Zone SP2 Infrastructure, Zone SP3 Tourist, Zone RE1 Public Recreation, Zone RE2 Private Recreation, Zone E2 Environmental Conservation, Zone E3 Environmental Management.

2. The Local Land Services Act 2013 regulates the clearing of native vegetation in the following zones within Council: Zone RU1 Primary Production, Zone RU3 Forestry, Zone W1 Natural Waterways, Zone W2 Recreational Waterways. If you wish to remove vegetation in these areas (and in which the clearing is not associated with works which require development consent), please contact NSW Murray Local Land Services on 03 5881 9900.

3. Approval is not required for the following: - Clearance of vegetation by electricity suppliers undertaken in accordance with the Electricity Supply Act 1995 and Electricity Supply (Safety and Network Management) Regulation 2014. For trees impacting on electrical service wires within your property, contact Essential Energy on 13 20 80. - The removal of any fruit tree or noxious plant declared a noxious plant with the Murray River Council area under the Biosecurity Act 2015 is exempt from an application.

4. Properties identified as containing items of environmental heritage significance or located within heritage and conservation areas may require Development Consent to be issued prior to the removal of any vegetation. Please contact Murray River Council on 1300 087 004 for further information.

5. If you have concerns regarding trees on public land please contact Murray River Council on 1300 087 004. If you have concerns regarding trees on neighbouring properties, please contact the Community Justice Centre (www.cjc.nsw.gov.au) on 1800 990 777 or via email cjc-info@agd.nsw.gov.au. If all mediation attempts between neighbours fail, please contact the Land and Environment Court (https://www.lec.nsw.gov.au/) on 02 9113 8200.

6. As part of the approval conditions, compensatory planting may be required. The number and type of replacement plants will generally be determined onsite with the landowner.

7. If you move, damage or lop a tree without Council’s permission, you may be liable to significant fines. Penalties issued by the Land and Environment Court can attract maximum fines in excess of $100,000.00. 9. Trees on public land, including nature strips and parks, are Council assets and can only be pruned, removed or otherwise interfered with by Murray River Council.

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