Tenterfield Shire Council tree removal rules
Everything you need to know before removing or pruning a tree in the Tenterfield 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 Tenterfield Shire Council?
Tenterfield 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.
Tenterfield Shire Council does NOT have a local Tree Preservation Order with numeric thresholds. Private land tree removal is regulated by NSW state legislation (Native Vegetation Act 2003 / Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016) through Local Land Services approvals rather than by council rules. The DCP requires vegetation clearing to be approved by Local Land Services via a Property Vegetation Plan if not included in a DA. Heritage trees (including Pin Oaks) are individually assessed for structural safety and significance rather than by fixed numeric rules.
When you may not need approval
- Clearing as part of approved Development Application to Council
- Heritage listed trees (protected under heritage law, assessed individually for safety/significance)
How to apply
Approval by Local Land Services Department through Property Vegetation Plan (unless clearing is part of a Development Application to Council)
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 Tenterfield Shire Council?
Fill in the tree details and we'll estimate whether you likely need council approval.
Suburbs in Tenterfield Shire Council
- Acacia Creek
- Amosfield
- Back Creek
- Bolivia
- Bookookoorara
- Boonoo Boonoo
- Boorook
- Carrolls Creek
- Cottonvale
- Cullendore
- Deepwater
- Drake
- Drake Village
- Dumaresq Valley
- Emmaville
- Forest Land
- Jennings
- Koreelah
- Legume
- Liston
- Lower Acacia Creek
- Maryland
- Mingoola
- Mole River
- Rivertree
- Rocky River
- Ruby Creek
- Sandy Flat
- Sandy Hill
- Silent Grove
- Stannum
- Tabulam
- Tarban
- Tenterfield
- Timbarra
- Torrington
- Undercliffe
- Upper Tooloom
- Urbenville
- Willsons Downfall
- Woodenbong
- Woodside
- Wylie Creek