Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council tree removal rules

When you may not need approval

• ✓Trees under 6m height with canopy under 3m spread (most zones)
• ✓Dead or dying trees not required as habitat
• ✓Environmental weeds and exotic weeds in riparian zones
• ✓Fruit tree pruning, forestry, commercial horticulture
• ✓Trees on Council Managed Lands with Service Manager approval
• ✓Vegetation planted by landowner less than 10 years old
• ✓Clearing for boundary fences (5m), internal fences (3m), buildings (10m), infrastructure

How to apply

Permit application to Council signed by property owner, accompanied by relevant fee. Site plan and reports required for native vegetation removal, trees containing hollows, or endangered ecological communities. Heritage items require separate approval pathway.

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.