Inverell Shire Council tree removal rules
Everything you need to know before removing or pruning a tree in the Inverell 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 Inverell Shire Council?
Inverell Shire Council generally does not require council approval to remove trees on private property — its tree controls don't apply to private land. Other laws (native vegetation, heritage, threatened species) may still apply, so confirm with the council.
Inverell Local Environmental Plan 2012 clause 5.9 establishes a framework for protecting trees/vegetation prescribed by the Development Control Plan. However, the Inverell DCP 2013 contains 10 chapters and prescribes NO trees—no numeric thresholds (height/diameter/girth), no species lists, no size cut-offs. The DCP only mentions preserve significant trees in heritage and residential contexts without defining significant. Therefore, clause 5.9 has no enforceable effect on private-land tree removal in Inverell Shire. The council does NOT protect private-land trees through its official planning instruments.
When you may not need approval
- Trees on State protected land
- State forests
- Land reserved as timber/forest reserves
- Trees cleared under electricity/roads/surveying legislation
- Noxious weeds. However, these exemptions are moot since no trees are prescribed
How to apply
Inverell LEP 2012 clause 5.9 requires a permit to remove prescribed trees/vegetation, but the Inverell DCP 2013 (Chapters 1-10) does not prescribe any trees by species or size threshold. Consequently, clause 5.9 has no practical effect on private land.
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 Inverell Shire Council?
Fill in the tree details and we'll estimate whether you likely need council approval.
Suburbs in Inverell Shire Council
- Ashford
- Atholwood
- Auburn Vale
- Bassendean
- Bonshaw
- Brodies Plains
- Bukkulla
- Bundarra
- Camp Creek
- Cherry Tree Hill
- Coolatai
- Copeton
- Delungra
- Elsmore
- Emmaville
- Georges Creek
- Gilgai
- Gragin
- Graman
- Gum Flat
- Howell
- Inverell
- Kings Plains
- Kingsland
- Limestone
- Little Plain
- Long Plain
- Matheson
- Maybole
- Mount Russell
- Myall Creek
- New Valley
- Newstead
- Nullamanna
- Oakwood
- Old Mill
- Paradise
- Pindaroi
- Rob Roy
- Rocky Creek
- Sapphire
- Spring Mountain
- Stanborough
- Stannifer
- Swan Vale
- Swanbrook
- Texas
- The Basin
- Tingha
- Twin Rivers
- Wallangra
- Wandera
- Wandsworth
- Wellingrove
- Woodstock
- Yellow Dam
- Yetman