Sutherland Shire Council tree removal rules
Everything you need to know before removing or pruning a tree in the Sutherland 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 Sutherland Shire Council?
Trees about 10cm trunk (diameter at 500mm above natural ground level) or larger are generally protected and need approval.
Protected trees require council permit when trunk diameter exceeds 100mm at 500mm above natural ground level; approximately 40 tree species are exempt from approval requirements; the council applies conservative but not rigid evaluation criteria, approving removal applications that meet safety, bushfire risk, or hardship justifications; RFS 10/50 bushfire clearing exemptions apply where property is in designated high-risk zones.
When you may not need approval
- dead or dying trees
- dangerous/imminent risk trees
- minor pruning (≤10% per 12 months)
- 31 exempt species (citrus, fruit trees, palms, privets)
- trees within 3 metres of dwelling
- RFS 10/50 bushfire clearing zones
How to apply
Submit online or hardcopy application to Sutherland Shire Council; $174 per application (up to 3 trees), no fee for pruning-only; typically 28 business days after payment received.
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 Sutherland Shire Council?
Fill in the tree details and we'll estimate whether you likely need council approval.
Suburbs in Sutherland Shire Council
- Alfords Point
- Audley
- Bangor
- Barden Ridge
- Bonnet Bay
- Bonnie Vale
- Bundeena
- Burraneer
- Caringbah
- Caringbah South
- Como
- Cronulla
- Dolans Bay
- Engadine
- Garie
- Goarra
- Grays Point
- Greenhills Beach
- Gymea
- Gymea Bay
- Heathcote
- Holsworthy
- Illawong
- Jannali
- Jibbon
- Kangaroo Point
- Kareela
- Kirrawee
- Kurnell
- Lilli Pilli
- Lilyvale
- Loftus
- Lucas Heights
- Maianbar
- Marley
- Menai
- Miranda
- Oyster Bay
- Palona
- Port Hacking
- Sandy Point
- Sutherland
- Sylvania
- Sylvania Waters
- Taren Point
- Uloola
- Warumbul
- Waterfall
- Wattamolla
- Woolooware
- Woronora
- Woronora Dam
- Woronora Heights
- Yarrawarrah
- Yenabilli
- Yowie Bay