Arborist Reports
North Shore

Report context

• Council consent is required for pruning/removing protected private trees, work within 5m of a protected tree for development, native vegetation clearing, and all public-tree works.
• Dead-tree exemption evidence must come from a qualified arborist AQF Level 3 or above, except where heritage or conservation controls apply.
• Development works within 5m of a protected tree require Council consent and should be assessed with tree impact/protection documentation.

Verified council checks

• Protected trees include trees with height greater than 5m, crown width greater than 5m, or trunk circumference greater than 500mm at ground level.
• Historically/culturally significant trees and certain biosecurity or priority weeds over 10m are also covered.
• Council consent is required for pruning/removing protected private trees, work within 5m of a protected tree for development, native vegetation clearing, and all public-tree works.
• Exemptions include some dead trees with AQF Level 3+ written evidence, 10/50 clearing, pest/noxious/invasive species, less than 10% maintenance pruning, and limited building-clearance pruning.

Official council sources

Report context

• Owner or owners corporation consent is required for all applications.
• Arborist reports are a key DA requirement and optional for Vegetation Management Applications; consulting arborists must have minimum AQF Level 5 qualification.
• Tree reporting for DA contexts should be prepared by a minimum AQF Level 5 consulting arborist.

Verified council checks

• Permit triggers include a tree more than 4m high, girth more than 600mm at 1.4m, crown spread more than 3m, original/native vegetation, wildlife corridor/habitat value, or visual prominence.
• Owner or owners corporation consent is required for all applications.
• Council allows up to 10% foliage pruning over a five-year period if the pruning will not deform the tree or predispose it to failure.

Official council sources

Report context

• Lane Cove directs owners to use its fee-free online check to confirm whether works need approval.
• Applications need tree type, location, reason, and four images; technical report scope should match the approval pathway.
• Heritage and Aboriginal heritage sites require development consent through the DA process.

Verified council checks

• Permit trigger checks include tree height over 4m, canopy spread over 5m, trunk diameter over 150mm at 1m above ground, or roots over 40mm diameter.
• Lane Cove directs owners to use its fee-free online check to confirm whether works need approval.
• Council source checks include the Biodiversity Values Map and whether the proposed work falls under permit, DA, or exemption settings.

Official council sources

Report context

• Approval is required to prune or remove protected trees unless a listed exemption applies.
• Council publishes Tree and Vegetation Preservation Guidelines and arborist report guidelines for application evidence.
• Tree works for development applications are separate from ordinary tree application pathways.

Verified council checks

• Trees are protected if they are more than 5m high or have trunk diameter of 150mm or more at ground level.
• Approval is required to prune or remove protected trees unless a listed exemption applies.
• Council says a dead tree is not automatically exempt and generally needs an arborist report and approval.

Official council sources

Report context

• A permit is required for pruning greater than 10%, works in heritage/conservation/biodiversity/threatened areas, and trees protected by development consent conditions.
• Council links to AIA report guidelines and tree permit application resources for development and tree-application evidence.
• Exemptions do not apply to heritage conservation areas/items, threatened species habitat/EECs, or contrary DA/CDC conditions.

Verified council checks

• Hornsby generally requires a permit to remove or prune a tree unless a specific exemption applies.
• A permit is required for pruning greater than 10%, works in heritage/conservation/biodiversity/threatened areas, and trees protected by development consent conditions.
• Exemptions include dead trees with written evidence from an AQF Diploma in Arboriculture arborist, exempt species, trees under 3m, trees within 3m of an approved dwelling foundation, and 10/50 Code work.

Official council sources

Report context

• A tree permit is required to prune or remove prescribed vegetation.
• Arborist evidence should identify whether the vegetation is prescribed, significant, heritage-listed, or affected by biodiversity controls.
• A DA is required to remove a heritage-listed tree, significant tree, or trees on heritage-listed or heritage conservation area property.

Verified council checks

• Prescribed vegetation includes vegetation 4m or higher, stem diameter 200mm or more measured 1.4m above ground, bushland remnants, biodiversity/high-biodiversity land, heritage trees, and Significant Tree Register trees.
• A tree permit is required to prune or remove prescribed vegetation.
• Hunters Hill separates prescribed vegetation, permits, DAs, and exemptions; the official pathway should be checked before works are scoped.

Official council sources