City of South Perth - Tree Removal Request

Tree Removal Request

Request to remove a street or park tree.

Last updated on: 29 August 2025

In this article

Retention and protection of City trees
Development applications and crossover construction
Removing trees on private property
Would you like request updates?
Raise a Request

Retention and protection of City trees

The City's position is to retain and protect street and park trees wherever possible.
A tree will be considered for removal only if it is:
dead
dying
diseased
causing damage to private property
causing damage to public infrastructure
A tree will not be removed due to:
views
leaf, nut drop and bark
species
solar panels and antennas
pools and gardens and
shading of gardens

Development applications and crossover construction

City tree removal requests associated with development applications and crossover constructions are handled through the development application process.
Crossovers should remain at least three metres from a street tree to enable healthy root and branch growth.
Costs:
will be applied if a tree requires removal.
will be paid by the applicant for tree removal, including removal costs, replacement and establishment and maintenance costs.
When building, a Tree Protection Zone (TPZ) must be installed around the tree and conform to Australian Standards.
Signs and materials are not to be nailed or attached to trees.
Where there is no existing tree on a verge adjacent to any new construction, the City will arrange for one to be planted upon completion of construction.

Development approval process

Tree removal will be considered during the development approval process and the application must include a request for tree removal (if required).

Removing trees on private property

The City's Local Planning Policy 3.2 - Tree Retention (LPP) applies to all land within the City of South Perth which is zoned under Local Planning Scheme No. 7. This includes all private properties in the City.

Trees which meet the definition of a Regulated Tree in the City's LPP will require development approval for any tree-damaging activities which includes removal of a Regulated tree.

What is a Regulated Tree?

What is tree-damaging activity?

An application for development approval is required to be lodged to the City with:

A completed development application form.
A scaled site plan showing the location of the tree on the site.
Necessary supporting information (cover letter, arborist report and/or structural engineering report at the applicant's cost etc.)

Development applications for Regulated Tree removal would be assessed against the LPP. The LPP outlines that there is to be a presumption against tree removal unless either of the following is demonstrated by the applicant, to the satisfaction of the City:

An arborist report and/or Structural Engineering Report demonstrates that the tree should be removed due to its health, structural stability or risk to life or property.
Redesign of the development to support tree retention is not feasible.

FAQs

Which trees would be affected by the Policy

What is a Regulated Tree?

What is tree-damaging activity?

Where does the LPP apply?

How was the criteria for a Regulated Tree determined?

Is development approval required for pruning of a Regulated Tree?

Development approval is required for pruning of a Regulated Tree unless the works meet the definition of maintenance pruning which includes:

removing dead or diseased wood only or
is the first pruning of the tree in the calendar year and affects less than 10% of the canopy, not altering the overall shape of the canopy or
is a fruit tree and done for fruit production or
does not include removing limbs with a diameter of 100mm or more or
is otherwise minor maintenance or thinning of the crown that does not adversely affect the health or general appearance of the tree and
is undertaken in accordance with the standard for Pruning Amenity Trees Australian Standard 4373-2007 - Pruning of Amenity Trees.

What if my neighbour’s tree is encroaching/overhanging on my land?

Pruning of a Regulated Tree is different to pruning other trees:

General pruning advice

If a branch or root of a neighbour's tree encroaches onto your property, you are entitled to cut or remove it up to the boundary of your land. You must not cut the branch or root on your neighbour's side of the boundary without their permission.

It is best to discuss any pruning with your neighbour, especially if you are cutting any roots, as this may weaken the tree. If in doubt, please engage the services of a reputable consulting arborist.

Any root, branch, flower or fruit on a branch that is removed remains the property of the tree's owner.

Pruning of a Regulated Tree

Where a Regulated Tree is located on your neighbour's property and is encroaching/overhanging onto your land, development approval is required to prune the portion of the tree on your land, unless the works are maintenance pruning as defined by the LPP.

If you need to prune a Regulated Tree on your neighbour's property, the City recommends you liaise with your neighbour and discuss whether a development application is required to ensure compliance with the LPP.

The person undertaking the pruning would be required to submit a Development Application if the tree is a Regulated Tree as per information above.

How do I apply for development approval to remove a tree covered by the LPP?

An application for development approval is required to be lodged to the City with:

A completed development application form.
A scaled site plan showing the location of the tree on the site.
Necessary supporting information (cover letter, arborist report and/or structural engineering report at the applicant's cost etc.)

To submit an application, refer to our Development Application lodgement page for more information.

How are applications assessed?

Development applications for Regulated Tree removal are assessed against the LPP. The LPP outlines that there is to be a presumption against tree removal unless either of the following is demonstrated by the applicant, to the satisfaction of the City:

An arborist report and/or Structural Engineering Report demonstrates that the tree should be removed due to its health, structural stability or risk to life or property.
Redesign of the development to support tree retention is not feasible.

How much is the application fee?

What happens if an application for removal is not supported?

What happens if I remove a Regulated Tree without approval?

A person must not commence or carry out development to which development approval is required unless approval has been obtained. Failure to obtain development approval constitutes an offence under the Planning and Development Act 2005.

The maximum penalties for breaching an offence provision under the Planning and Development Act 2005 are significant and are currently $200,000 in the case of a natural person and $1,000,000 in the case of a body corporate, with the potential for additional daily penalties in the case of ongoing non-compliance.

Enquiries

To enquire about requirements relating to removing trees on private property, raise a request below.

Submit a development application

To submit an application, refer to our Development Application lodgement page for more information.

Report a breach

To report a tree removal breach for trees on private property, refer to our Development Compliance Matters page.

Would you like request updates?

When raising a request, you are given the option to be notified on the request
If you would like updates, the City encourages you to select email notifications as the preferred communication method
You will then receive an initial email advising the reference number as well as a second email upon scheduling or completion of works with a summary of actions for your information.

Raise a Request

Public tree issue

To request the removal of a public tree due to dead, dying or diseased trees, or trees causing damage to private property or public infrastructure, raise a request below
An officer will investigate within 10 business days.

Report a Public Tree Issue

Private tree removal

To enquire on the removal of a private tree, raise a request below
An officer will investigate within 10 business days.

Private Tree Removal Enquiry

Development or crossover application queries

To request removal of a street tree related to a development or crossover application, raise a request below
An officer will investigate within 10 business days.

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