Arborist Reports
Eastern Suburbs

Report context

• A tree permit application is required before pruning or removing covered private trees.
• Council says supporting evidence may require an AQF Level 5 consulting arborist report for major work or removal on heritage, significant, prominent, or complex trees.
• Significant-tree or heritage/HCA matters can be escalated from permit assessment to a development application pathway.

Verified council checks

• Tree permit trigger: height of 3m or more, canopy spread of 3m or more, Significant Tree Register listing, or heritage/HCA status.
• A tree permit application is required before pruning or removing covered private trees.
• Examples listed by Council include exempt vegetation, hedge pruning up to 20% in a 12-month period, pruning dead branches/palm fronds, urgent safety work with evidence, and pruning a tree with maximum height below 5m.

Official council sources

Report context

• Private-tree pruning/removal can require a tree permit or development consent under Randwick LEP/DCP and the Biodiversity and Conservation SEPP.
• Tree reviews and disputed determinations can require detailed arborist, engineering, or plumbing evidence.
• Development consent is required for trees in heritage conservation areas, heritage items, Aboriginal heritage contexts, State Heritage listed land, or the Significant Tree Register where the works affect significance or amenity.

Verified council checks

• Council consent is required for any palm tree other than Cocos palms, any cycad or tree fern, any hollow-bearing tree, any tree in recognised bushland, and trees meeting the listed size thresholds.
• Size thresholds include height of 6m or more, canopy width of 4m or more, or trunk circumference of 1m or more at 1m above ground level.
• Private-tree pruning/removal can require a tree permit or development consent under Randwick LEP/DCP and the Biodiversity and Conservation SEPP.
• Exemptions include dead/dying/risk trees where Council is satisfied, certain trees within 2m of a building, work authorised by development consent, some minor pruning, and listed exempt species.

Official council sources

Report context

• Covered trees require an application to prune or remove unless an exempt species or exempt tree-work category applies.
• Tree works on development or protected-tree matters should be scoped against the DCP and application pathway before preparing report evidence.
• A DA is required where the tree was conditioned for retention/protection or where tree removal is proposed for environmental heritage or Significant Tree Register trees.

Verified council checks

• Most private trees with height greater than 5m or crown spread greater than 3m are covered by Woollahra DCP Chapter E3.
• Covered trees require an application to prune or remove unless an exempt species or exempt tree-work category applies.
• The Tree Management DCP contains exempt species and exempt work categories that must be checked before relying on an exemption.

Official council sources

Report context

• Bayside says a permit is required before pruning or removing a private tree unless an exemption applies.
• An AQF Level 5 arborist or engineering report is required as evidence for removing a dying, dead, or dangerous tree or when applying to remove 10 or more trees.
• Development applications may not need separate tree approval; Council advises applicants to clarify before lodging.

Verified council checks

• A permit is not required only where the tree is no higher than 3m and no more than 300mm wide at 1.4m above ground, is a fruit tree, or is listed as exempt.
• Bayside says a permit is required before pruning or removing a private tree unless an exemption applies.
• Fruit trees and Bayside DCP Appendix 3 exempt species are listed exemption categories.

Official council sources