Tree Protection and Management

Trees and other vegetation are an important part of our Shire. They provide shade, reduce the urban heat island effect, improve air quality, reduce run-off and erosion, support local wildlife, provide visual amenity, enhance local character and provide a sense of place. 

Council Managed Trees Policy

Council’s approach to tree and vegetation management on Council controlled land is outlined in Council’s Council Managed Trees Policy. In general, Council protects, assesses and manages its trees by using a holistic approach, which focuses on management of all vegetation across the Shire, rather than an overly simplistic focus on singular trees. The policy covers Council’s approach to the retention of existing trees, risk management, self-funded removal, managing weed trees, fallen trees, planting new or replacement trees and culturally significant trees.

Read the Council Managed Trees Policy(PDF, 359KB) .

Street Tree Guidelines

The Council Managed Trees Policy is complemented by Council’s Street Tree Guidelines. The guidelines provide guidance on the selection of trees in streets, parks and reserves including a suitable trees list. The list includes 49 native trees, with many being locally important, such as aniseed myrtle, a rare rainforest tree which occurs naturally only in the Nambucca and Bellinger Valleys, and Dorrigo hakea, a threatened species endemic to the Dorrigo Plateau.

Read the Street Tree Guidelines(PDF, 9MB) .

Report an issue

Sometimes there may be an issue with a tree on Council controlled land, such as the tree being damaged or a risk to life or property.

Read this Fact Sheet(PDF, 2MB) to find out the circumstances in which Council may consider tree works or removal.

If you need to report an issue with a tree on Council controlled land you can do so using the Council ‘How can we help?’ Form, via the Snap, Send, Solve App, by calling Customer Service or visiting Customer Service.

If you need to report an issue with a tree on Crown Land (that is not managed by Council) you can do so using the Crown Lands Dangerous Tree Notification Form.