Do You Need Council Approval For Tree Work In Wollongong?

Wollongong City Council's tree controls are based on size and condition, not species. You'll generally need approval to prune or remove a tree if it's more than 5 metres tall, or has a trunk more than 30cm wide at ground level. Trees with large roots causing structural issues, and trees that are dead or dying, also fall under Council's approval requirements.

These thresholds exist because larger, established trees contribute meaningfully to Wollongong's tree canopy and local amenity, so Council wants oversight before they're altered or removed. Smaller pruning jobs sit outside this: branches less than 10cm in diameter where they meet the trunk can typically be pruned without a permit, provided the work doesn't affect the tree's overall health or structure.



If you're unsure whether your tree meets these thresholds, it's worth getting a second opinion before applying, or before deciding you don't need to. A trunk that looks borderline from ground level often needs an actual measurement, and a tree that seems merely stressed rather than dying can be harder to classify than it sounds.

There are two main pathways for getting permission to prune or remove a tree in Wollongong, and which one applies depends on what else is happening on the property.

A Tree Permit is the standard route for standalone tree work: pruning or removing a tree that isn't connected to any other building or renovation project. This is the pathway most homeowners will use.

A Development Application (DA) applies when tree work is tied to a broader development, such as a new build, extension or subdivision. Chapter E17 of the Wollongong Development Control Plan 2009 sets out how trees must be identified and protected during development, and Chapter E18 covers the hierarchy Council expects you to follow: avoid removing trees where possible, minimise impacts and offset any unavoidable removal, typically through replacement planting.



If your DA has already been approved and it didn't cover the specific tree work you now want to do, you'll still need separate approval. The type depends on your situation, so it's worth checking with Council before assuming your existing consent covers it.

Applying for a Tree Permit is straightforward, but incomplete applications are the most common cause of delays. You can apply either online through Council's Online Self Service system (you'll need to register and log in, with multi-factor authentication required) or by downloading and submitting a PDF application form in person or by post.

To avoid back-and-forth with Council, include:

1. Identification of the tree: an aerial map, satellite image, hand-drawn diagram or plan showing exactly where the tree is located, plus clear photos.
2. A description of the tree(s): number, type (if known) and condition.
3. Your reason for the pruning or removal request.
4. Supporting reports from qualified experts where relevant, such as an arborist report, structural engineer's assessment or plumber's report if roots are affecting pipes.
5. Owner's consent, if you're not the property owner, via a signed statutory declaration.

A fee applies and must be paid before the application can be processed. Council may inspect the tree(s) as part of assessing your application, and any approval for removal issued from 1 July 2023 onward will typically include a condition requiring a replacement tree to be planted, either on your own property or, for a fee, on public land if that's not possible.



Council requires that approved pruning is carried out by a qualified arborist, so once any permit is in place, our team can handle your tree pruning in Wollongong from start to finish, including work carried out to AS 4373 standards.

If your property sits within a mapped bushfire-prone area, a separate set of rules may apply on top of, or instead of, Council's usual permit process. The NSW RFS 10/50 Vegetation Clearing Code of Practice allows eligible landowners within a designated 10/50 Vegetation Clearing Entitlement Area to clear trees within 10 metres of a home, and underlying vegetation such as shrubs (but not trees) within 50 metres, without needing Council or state approval.



This entitlement only applies if your property is actually within a mapped entitlement area, and the clearing must be carried out strictly in accordance with the Code on the day it's done. The NSW RFS provides an online entitlement tool that lets you check whether your property qualifies. It's worth doing this before assuming the 10/50 rules apply, since not every bushland-adjacent property is covered. Certain restrictions still apply within entitlement areas too, such as clearing near waterways, so the 10/50 scheme isn't a blanket exemption even where it does apply.

Trees that straddle boundaries or hang over a fence line are one of the most common tree disputes in Wollongong. If a neighbour's tree is causing problems, such as overhanging branches, leaf litter or blocked light, the first step is talking to your neighbour directly. If they agree, they can arrange the pruning or removal themselves, or give consent for you to organise it.

If you can't reach an agreement, you can apply to Council to prune parts of the tree that hang over your side of the boundary. Council will inspect from your property and determine what pruning is reasonable to reduce the issue. Importantly, you can't apply to remove a neighbour's tree entirely without their agreement, only prune the overhanging sections on your side.

For trees that are dead, dying or unsafe, tree removal in Wollongong may be the better option, and it can follow the same permit pathways outlined above, whether the tree is on your property or you're seeking permission to address a shared boundary issue.

Exempt trees and minor pruning that does not need a permit

Not every tree needs Council's sign-off. You won't need a Tree Permit if:

• You're pruning branches less than 10cm in diameter where they meet the trunk.
• For a neighbour's tree, you're only pruning branches (or parts of branches) that hang over your own property line.
• The tree is on Council's list of exempt species.
• The work is already covered under an approved Development Application.

Council maintains an official exempt tree list, and it's worth checking this before starting work, since exemptions apply to specific species rather than all trees under a certain size. When in doubt, a quick call to Council or a chat with a qualified arborist will confirm whether your situation is genuinely exempt or just looks that way.

Getting tree work wrong in Wollongong isn't just about aesthetics. Pruning or removing a tree without the right approval can result in penalties, and poor pruning technique can shorten a tree's life or create safety hazards down the track. A qualified Wollongong arborist can assess your trees, advise on whether a permit or DA applies, prepare the supporting documentation Council needs and carry out the work to AS 4373 (Pruning of Amenity Trees) standards.

If you're not sure whether your tree needs approval, or you want the paperwork and the pruning handled properly the first time, get in touch with Burnett Trees for a tree assessment. Whether it's a straightforward pruning job or a more involved removal, our team can guide you through the permit process and take care of tree pruning in Wollongong safely and in line with Council's conditions.