Maitland City Council

Maitland City Council Tree Removal

Where approval is required:

• All vegetation within a Heritage Conservation Area or vegetation on land that contains a Heritage Item 
• All vegetation that forms part of a threatened ecological community or is recognised as ta hreatened plant species by a government authority. 
• A tree which is required to be retained or planted as a condition of consent (Including approved landscape plans and trees which were required to be planted to replace a tree which was removed). 
• All native vegetation (including understorey plants and ground covers) within a defined wetland, which is less than the biodiversity offsets scheme threshold identified under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 
• All other trees which are 3m or greater in height or has a diameter of 100mm or more at 1.3m above ground, and shrubs which are 5m or greater in height require consent for removal unless any one of the following applies: 
  • A tree or shrub may be removed without consent that is located within 3m to a principal building (excludes carports, garages, pergolas, fences and the like) Note: measured trunk to outer wall *. 
  • A tree which is used to grow fruit or nuts may be removed without consent. Trees which is dying or dead and not required as habitat for native animals may be removed without consent**. 
  • The tree or shrub is an exotic species which is considered to be an invasive species by the NSW Government may be removed without consent. 

*  –  The onus of providing evidence, when requested by Council staff, is on the landowner. Landowners are encouraged to submit photos to the Council, for record-keeping purposes, showing before and after removal. 

**  –  Council is to receive a tree removal notification 10 days prior to removal. 

Vegetation Clearing with Heritage Items

Development consent is also required for clearing any vegetation to which Clause 5.10 of the Maitland Local Environmental Plan 2011 applies.