Narrabri Shire Council tree removal rules
Everything you need to know before removing or pruning a tree in the Narrabri 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 Narrabri Shire Council?
Narrabri 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.
Narrabri Local Environmental Plan 2012 clause 5.9 allows tree removal without development consent unless trees are prescribed in a DCP. Narrabri has NOT created a tree preservation DCP chapter. The Council's Development Control Plans list (accessed via direct page fetch) includes 12 DCPs, none for tree/vegetation preservation. While Planning Certificates reference "tree preservation orders," no actual tree preservation order could be found. Private land trees are NOT protected by Narrabri planning controls. Only council-managed public trees are covered by the Public Space Tree Policy (2022) and Public Tree and Nature Strip Policy (2025).
When you may not need approval
- Dead, dying or dangerous trees that are an imminent risk to people or property (most councils require a qualified arborist's report — keep photos and the report).
- Minor pruning within Australian Standard AS 4373-2007 (often up to ~10% of the canopy in a year) — council-dependent.
- Certain listed weed or exempt species, and trees under the council's size threshold.
- Trees within a set distance of an approved dwelling — but the distance varies by council and many councils have no such exemption.
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 Narrabri Shire Council?
Fill in the tree details and we'll estimate whether you likely need council approval.