APPROVALS · 4 MIN READ · UPDATED JUL 2026

Do you need council approval to clear your block in NSW?

This guide covers Land Clearing — for scope, process and fixed pricing:See our Land Clearing services →

Short answer: it depends what’s growing and where you are. Exotic species, dead trees and regrowth under a certain size can usually go without approval. Natives on a protected list, trees over your LGA’s size threshold, and anything in a heritage or bushfire-affected zone need a permit or a 10/50 assessment.

Every council publishes a tree preservation policy — but they’re written in planning-speak. The practical route: send us your address and a few photos, and we’ll tell you which trees are free to go and which need paperwork, before you spend anything.

One warning worth its weight: clearing protected vegetation without approval carries fines that start north of $3,000 per tree and climb fast. Ten minutes of checking beats a very expensive letter from council.

Rule of thumb: if a quote looks cheap, check whether tip fees, compaction and certification are in it. That’s where the “extras” hide.

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Do you need council approval to clear your block in NSW?

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