Professional & Affordable Tree Services
Tree Removal Lake Macquarie
The largest coastal saltwater lake in the Southern Hemisphere
Tree Removal and Pruning – Lake Macquarie Council Guidelines
Lake Macquarie Council’s website provides property owners with a self-assessment tool to determine if a tree requires council approval or not. You can check this tool here.
When Council Approval Is Required:
You must apply for a permit before removing or pruning a tree if:
- The tree is a native species or Araucaria pine.
- It is a native tree, shrub, or sapling over 3 metres tall.
- The tree is listed in the Significant Tree Register.
- The tree is part of a heritage item or located within a heritage conservation area.
- The tree or vegetation is subject to a development consent condition requiring its retention.
When You May Not Need Approval:
You may remove or prune a tree without Council approval if:
- The tree is a non-native (exotic) species, unless it is heritage-listed or on the Significant Tree Register.
- The tree is dead and non-hollow-bearing, with photographic evidence retained for future reference.
- The tree is dangerous, with instability confirmed by an AQF Level 5 arborist and prior notification to Council.
- The tree is within:
- 5 metres of the outermost projection of an approved building or structure (excluding exempt or complying developments).
- 1 metre of a sealed driveway to a building on the same allotment.
Application Process
- Use the Tree Removal Assessment Tool to determine if approval is needed.
- Submit an online application with a site diagram and, if applicable, an arborist report.
- Council will inspect the tree to assess the necessity and appropriateness of the proposed work.
Pruning Guidelines
- Pruning is permitted for up to 10% of the live canopy only.
- Removal of deadwood is allowed.
- All pruning work must comply with Australian Standards AS4373-2007 – Pruning of Amenity Trees.
- Branch Management will not top your trees, we will only prune back to where it has been previously pruned.
Bushfire Prone Areas
- Under the NSW Rural Fire Service 10/50 Vegetation Clearing Scheme, property owners in designated bushfire-prone areas may remove certain trees within 10 meters of a home without council permission. You can check if this applies to your property here.
This information is current as of May 2025.
CONTACT US
For free quotes phone Jess 0419 289 223 or contact us below
We’ve had the privilege to work with some wonderful local businesses
From Port Stephens to Newcastle and the Hunter we have worked with local businesses such as LJ Hooker, Port Stephens Council, Defence Housing Australia, Transfield and many more.
