Arborist Reports
South West Sydney

Report context

• All public trees are protected; private trees not exempt require a Tree Management Order Permit for most works.
• Council recommends AQF Level 5 consulting arborist assessment during design for development involving trees.
• Development conditions may include tree-protection requirements aligned with the current AS 4970:2025 tree-protection standard where applicable, plus replacement planting where removal is approved.

Verified council checks

• Tree species not on the exempt species list are protected by the Tree Management Order and generally need permission for most works if over 5m high.
• All public trees are protected; private trees not exempt require a Tree Management Order Permit for most works.
• Main private-tree exemptions include trees less than 5m high, exempt species, and trees within 3m of the centre of the trunk to a primary dwelling wall measured at 1.4m above ground, excluding secondary buildings.

Official council sources

Report context

• Anyone wishing to prune or remove a private-property tree must first obtain Council approval unless an exempt tree category applies.
• Report evidence should address Council Tree Management Policy considerations and whether the tree meets the protected definition.
• Works covered by a DCP cannot be ringbarked, cut down, topped, lopped, removed, injured, or destroyed without development consent or authorisation permit.

Verified council checks

• Liverpool defines a tree as a perennial plant with height greater than 3.5m, canopy spread greater than 4m, and/or primary trunk diameter greater than 400mm at 1m above existing ground level.
• Anyone wishing to prune or remove a private-property tree must first obtain Council approval unless an exempt tree category applies.
• Council lists exempt tree species and says the clause does not apply where Council is satisfied the tree or vegetation is dead, dying, or dangerous and not required as native fauna habitat.

Official council sources

Report context

• Tree Work Permit approval is required for most private tree removal and many pruning works unless the tree is an exempt/undesirable species or another exemption applies.
• Emergency tree work requires AQF Level 5 consulting arborist advice identifying likelihood of tree/branch failure and written/photo records of the work and reason.
• Development or land-clearing contexts may trigger Biodiversity Offsets Scheme or DA assessment rather than a simple Tree Work Permit.

Verified council checks

• Fairfield pruning guidance defines a tree as 4m or more in height, branch spread over 3m, or trunk diameter over 75mm measured 1m above ground.
• Tree Work Permit approval is required for most private tree removal and many pruning works unless the tree is an exempt/undesirable species or another exemption applies.
• Exemptions include undesirable listed species with qualified identification evidence, trees below threshold, valid development consent, RFS hazard reduction, some electricity works, immediate threat situations, minor branch/root pruning, roofline pruning, and trees within 3m of an approved existing residential building where conditions are met.

Official council sources

Report context

• Works to a tree covered by Council tree-management controls require a Tree Works Application unless an exemption applies.
• Emergency storm or failure likelihood work may require AQF Level 5 consulting arborist assessment under Cumberland DCP material.
• Heritage items generally require DA handling and exemptions may not apply.

Verified council checks

• Cumberland says many woody trees over 3.6m high need written Council approval before removal or pruning.
• Works to a tree covered by Council tree-management controls require a Tree Works Application unless an exemption applies.
• Former Holroyd controls list exemptions for trees under 3.6m, exempt species, certain trees within 2m of an approved dwelling, dead/dying trees once Council is satisfied, and specific minor pruning categories.

Official council sources