Tree removal permits in Ballina
Talk to council first
Ballina Shire Council asks people to speak with its staff before lodging. It's the simplest way to find out whether your tree falls under Chapter 2a, Local Land Services or something bigger.
Set up the Portal and the consent
Register a NSW Planning Portal account, then complete and sign council's Owners Consent Declaration to go in with the application.
Describe the tree and the reason
Give the species, rough height and age, and the distance to each boundary, and say why the work is needed. Note whether the tree is part of an ecological community or habitat for a threatened species.
Add photos and a site plan
Photos of each tree, plus a sketch with the boundaries, buildings, driveway, drains, overhead cables, fences and the tree. Council suggests tying a ribbon around the trunk so the assessor finds the right one.
Offer replacement planting
The form asks what you'll plant to offset the removal. A short, realistic answer helps.
Wait for the permit
Council says to wait until it issues the Private Tree Permit through the Portal and to meet its conditions before any pruning or removal starts. NSW Planning says councils must decide permit applications within 28 days.
Questions to ask an arborist in Ballina
- The tree is dying, dangerous or diseased, backed by an arboricultural assessment report
- The tree is in an unsuitable spot, such as under a power line or on top of a retaining wall or bank
- The tree affects, or may affect, a solar appliance
- The tree is damaging public or private utilities and services
- The tree's crown, roots or mature size suit the spot badly
Tree removal in Ballina: what's local
Rural and deferred land
Council's guide doesn't cover land zoned RU1 Primary Production or RU2 Rural Landscape, or Deferred Matter land. Clearing there may need approval under the Local Land Services Act 2013, so ring Local Land Services.
Bigger native clearing
The guide also excludes native vegetation over the Biodiversity Offsets Scheme threshold. In non-rural NSW, clearing above that line that isn't part of other development goes to the Native Vegetation Panel.
Camphor laurel
NSW WeedWise lists the Ballina council area among those with heavy camphor laurel infestations. Birds spread the fruit, so camphors turn up along fencelines and under powerlines.
Applications are public
Council says permit applications and their documents are made publicly available. Keep descriptions factual, and talk to the neighbour before they read about it online.
Essential Energy's lines
Ballina is on Essential Energy's network, which covers most of regional NSW. Call Essential Energy if a tree is touching or hanging over a line, and leave that tree to people qualified to work near the network.
Storm damage and fallen trees in Ballina
Call 000 if anyone is hurt or trapped, and the NSW SES if a fallen tree is blocking access or may fall on the house. For a tree on a power line, ring Essential Energy and keep everyone 8 metres back. Don't try to clear storm-damaged trees yourself.
Hiring an arborist in Ballina
Book the phone call with council before the arborist visit. Then ask the arborist to help you fill in the reasons section, since that's what council assesses, and get an arboricultural assessment report if you're relying on the tree being dying, dangerous or diseased. Tie the ribbon on the day you lodge.