Cabonne Shire Council tree removal rules
Everything you need to know before removing or pruning a tree in the Cabonne Shire Council area — which trees are protected, the main exemptions, and how to apply for approval. This is the authoritative summary we keep for this council; always confirm against the official source linked below.
Legal basis: State Environmental Planning Policy (Biodiversity and Conservation) 2021, Ch. 2 (Vegetation in Non-Rural Areas) + each council's Development Control Plan (DCP).
Compiled from the council's published rules and cross-checked. Always confirm with the council.
Which trees are protected in Cabonne Shire Council?
Trees about 3m tall or larger are generally protected and need approval.
Cabonne Shire Council's DCP No. 6 (Rural Small Holdings) protects trees and shrubs over 3 metres in height or with trunk diameter >300mm (at 1.4m), with exemptions for noxious plants and orchard trees; removal requires council consent, though exemptions for dead/dying or safety-risk trees are unconfirmed in accessible sources.
When you may not need approval
- Dead or dying trees not required as habitat for native fauna
- Trees posing risk to human life or property
- Noxious plants
- Orchard trees
How to apply
Apply for tree removal consent through council development application process; council assesses whether tree meets protection criteria and whether exemptions apply.
Other rules that can override the above
- RFS 10/50 Vegetation Clearing scheme — in a designated bush-fire area you may be able to clear trees within 10m of your home (and underlying vegetation within 50m) without council approval. Check eligibility with the NSW RFS online tool; it does not override threatened-species or federal law.
- Heritage items and heritage conservation areas — trees are usually protected regardless of size and most exemptions fall away.
- Threatened species, endangered ecological communities and Aboriginal places — exemptions generally do not apply.
- Federal EPBC Act — separate Commonwealth approval can be required if removal would significantly impact a nationally listed species or community.
Do I need a permit in Cabonne Shire Council?
Fill in the tree details and we'll estimate whether you likely need council approval.
Suburbs in Cabonne Shire Council
- Amaroo
- Baldry
- Belgravia
- Bocobra
- Boomey
- Boree
- Borenore
- Bowan Park
- Bumberry
- Byng
- Cadia
- Canobolas
- Canowindra
- Cargo
- Clergate
- Clifton Grove
- Cudal
- Cumnock
- Emu Swamp
- Eugowra
- Eurimbla
- Forest Reefs
- Four Mile Creek
- Garra
- Gooloogong
- Gowan
- Gumble
- Guyong
- Kangaroobie
- Kerrs Creek
- Larras Lee
- Lewis Ponds
- Lidster
- Lower Lewis Ponds
- Mandagery
- Manildra
- March
- Molong
- Moorbel
- Mullion Creek
- Murga
- Nashdale
- Nyrang Creek
- Obley
- Ophir
- Orange
- Spring Hill
- Spring Terrace
- Springside
- Summer Hill Creek
- Toogong
- Vittoria
- Waldegrave
- Windera
- Yeoval
- Yullundry