Do I need a permit to remove a tree in the Tweed Shire Council area?

Yes, usually — Tweed Shire Council requires approval to remove or significantly prune a protected tree under its Development Control Plan, unless an exemption (such as a dead or dangerous tree) applies. Check the details on this page and confirm with the council.

What trees are exempt in Tweed Shire Council?

garden maintenance (most vegetation removal allowed in established gardens) crown pruning ≤20% canopy per 2 years (for very large/koala feed/listed trees) minor pruning per AS 4373-1996 dead or dying trees risk to life/property overshadowing

Tweed Shire Council tree removal rules

Everything you need to know before removing or pruning a tree in the Tweed 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.

Check my tree Official council page ↗

Legal basis: State Environmental Planning Policy (Biodiversity and Conservation) 2021, Ch. 2 (Vegetation in Non-Rural Areas) + each council's Development Control Plan (DCP).

● Researched· last checked 2026-06-27official source ↗

Compiled from the council's published rules and cross-checked. Always confirm with the council.

Which trees are protected in Tweed Shire Council?

Trees about 5m tall or 25cm trunk (council states ~80cm trunk circumference) or larger are generally protected and need approval.

Tweed Shire protects native trees 5m+ in height and very large non-native trees 80cm+ diameter at 1.4m height; Schedule 1 provides exemptions for dead/dying trees, risk to life/property, garden maintenance, and pruning limits on koala feed and very large trees, though exact exemption wording and pruning percentages remain unverifiable due to inaccessible primary source.

When you may not need approval

garden maintenance (most vegetation removal allowed in established gardens)
crown pruning ≤20% canopy per 2 years (for very large/koala feed/listed trees)
minor pruning per AS 4373-1996
dead or dying trees
risk to life/property
overshadowing

How to apply

Submit 'Application for Removal / Pruning of Trees or Vegetation Clearing on Private Land' form to council or phone 02 6670 2400.

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 Tweed Shire Council?

Fill in the tree details and we'll estimate whether you likely need council approval.