Tree Removal In Gosford, New South Wales
Local Tree Removal Gosford handles tree removal in Gosford and across the Central Coast, along with tree cutting, pruning, emergency storm work, stump grinding and land clearing. Below is a plain guide to the Central Coast Council rules that decide what can be done to your tree, and what you should check first.
First, Work Out Which Rules Cover Your Land
Gosford sits in the Central Coast Council area. Council’s tree rules are in Chapter 3.5 (Tree and Vegetation Management) of the Central Coast Development Control Plan 2022, which works under the state’s Biodiversity and Conservation SEPP. Your zoning decides whether that chapter applies at all.
Residential, business and most urban land
Chapter 3.5 applies. Council declares all vegetation protected, then lists exemptions. If your work isn’t exempt, you need a council permit.
Rural zones and “deferred matters” land
The chapter doesn’t apply in zones such as RU1, RU2, RU3 and RU6, or on land still zoned under the old Gosford Planning Scheme Ordinance (1968) or Gosford IDO No. 122. Clearing there falls under Part 5A of the Local Land Services Act. Local Land Services Greater Sydney: 1300 795 299.
Land on the Biodiversity Values Map
If your land is mapped, or the clearing is large enough to cross the Biodiversity Offsets Scheme threshold, council can’t issue the approval. It goes to the Native Vegetation Panel instead.
Heritage items and conservation areas
Trees that are a heritage item, sit in a heritage conservation area, or are part of an Aboriginal object or place need heritage approval or development consent. The usual exemptions don’t apply.
Your zoning is shown on the NSW Planning Portal’s spatial viewer, or you can ask council on 02 4306 7900.
What You Can Usually Do Without A Permit
On land where Chapter 3.5 applies, these are the exemptions most Gosford homeowners use. Each one only protects you if you can show it applied, so the evidence column matters as much as the rule.
| Exemption | What it covers | What to keep |
|---|---|---|
| Tree near an approved structure | Removal or pruning of a tree within 3 m of an existing approved structure on your land or the neighbour’s. Measured at 1.4 m above ground, from the wall to the nearest part of the trunk. Sheds built as exempt development, temporary buildings and manufactured homes don’t count. | Before and after photos, plus written evidence from a Trade (AQF3) or Consulting (AQF5) arborist naming the species and condition. Keep for 6 months. |
| Dead, dying or dangerous tree | Removal where council is satisfied the tree is dead or dying (and not needed as habitat), or is a risk to life or property. | AQF3 or AQF5 arborist evidence of species and condition, kept for 6 months. |
| Light pruning | Up to 10% of the foliage once each growing season, branches no thicker than 50 mm, pruned to AS 4373-2007. | No evidence required. |
| Branches over the roof | Pruning branches directly over the roofline of an approved structure, to AS 4373-2007. | A pruning specification written by at least an AQF3 arborist, kept for 6 months. |
| Weeds and undesirable species | Removal of species on Biosecurity Act Schedule 3, the “Weeds in Australia” list, or council’s Undesirable Species List. | Photos of the whole tree and close-ups of bark, leaves, flowers or fruit. |
You don’t send this evidence to council. You keep it, and hand it over if council investigates a report of illegal removal.
The exemptions don’t apply to threatened species, habitat trees for threatened animals, or endangered ecological communities. Those need a Biodiversity Conservation Licence from the state before any pruning or removal. Council names Melaleuca biconvexa, Syzygium paniculatum (magenta lilly pilly) and Angophora inopina as threatened species found in the area. If you aren’t sure what your tree is, get it identified before anyone cuts.
When A Council Permit Is Needed
If the work isn’t exempt, you lodge a Private Tree Works Application with council. There are two kinds of permit:
- Minor Vegetation Works Permit: up to five individual trees, or up to 100 m² of vegetation.
- Major Vegetation Works Permit: six or more trees, or more than 100 m². It needs a statement that the clearing stays under the Biodiversity Offsets Scheme threshold and an ecological assessment report.
Removal that is approved as part of a development consent doesn’t need a separate permit, so check your consent conditions first. If you’re preparing a block for building, our land clearing page covers the larger-scale side of this.
Pruning under these rules means pruning to AS 4373-2007, which treats lopping and topping as unacceptable practice. Our tree lopping page explains what that means if you were planning to cut a tree back hard.
Powerlines, Bushfire And Storm Damage
Trees near powerlines
Ausgrid supplies the Central Coast. You’re responsible for keeping trees on your land clear of the service wire to your house and any private poles or lines. Work within 3 m of Ausgrid lines must be done by workers accredited under the SafeWork NSW code for work near overhead powerlines. Ausgrid handles trees on council land near its wires.
The 10/50 rule
In a mapped 10/50 entitlement area, you can clear trees within 10 m of your home under the RFS code without council approval. Check the RFS online tool on the day you clear, as the map and exclusions change. A 2015 review recommended excluding lots within 100 m of the coastline and mapped estuaries, which matters around Brisbane Water.
After a storm
For a tree on a house or blocking access, call the NSW SES on 132 500. For fallen or damaged powerlines, stay well back and call Ausgrid on 13 13 88. Emergency work directed by the SES, police or fire services doesn’t need the usual arborist evidence. See our emergency tree removal page.
A Neighbour’s Tree Causing Problems
In NSW, disputes over a tree on a neighbour’s private land in an urban zone are covered by the Trees (Disputes Between Neighbours) Act 2006. If talking it through doesn’t work, Legal Aid NSW can arrange mediation in some cases (1300 888 529). Free mediation through Community Justice Centres ended on 1 July 2025 for most disputes. The last resort is an application to the Land and Environment Court, which can order work on a tree that has caused, or is likely to cause, damage to your property or injury to someone. The Act also covers high hedges that block sunlight or views. Pruning or removing the tree yourself still has to fit council’s rules.
Before You Book
- Check your zoning and whether your property is a heritage item or in a heritage conservation area.
- Find out what the tree is. Threatened species and habitat trees take you out of the exemptions.
- Measure from the nearest wall to the trunk at about chest height, if you think the 3 m exemption applies.
- Note any wires running through or near the canopy, and whether they go to your house or along the street.
- Take photos of the whole tree, and close-ups of bark and leaves, before any work starts.
- Decide if you want the stump left or ground out. Our stump grinding page explains the options.
Common Questions
Do I have to send council the photos and arborist evidence?
No. Council asks you to keep it for at least six months and provide it if requested.
Can I remove the council tree on my nature strip?
Council’s rules apply to anyone other than a public authority removing vegetation from public land, so you can’t remove it yourself. Contact council, or Ausgrid if it’s touching wires.
My block is zoned rural. Do council’s permit rules still apply?
Not Chapter 3.5. Rural zones such as RU1 and RU2 fall under the Local Land Services Act, so contact Local Land Services before clearing.
Get your tree looked at
Tell us where the tree is, what it’s close to and what you’d like done. Photos help. We’ll talk you through the options and the rules that apply to your block.