Tree pruning permits in Hobart
Tasmania has its own statute for neighbours' plants, the Neighbourhood Disputes About Plants Act 2017. It keeps the old right to cut back branches that overhang your side, and says whoever cuts them may, but doesn't have to, return them to the owner. Legal Aid Tasmania puts it simply: you can prune back a neighbour's overhanging branches from your side.
The Act also creates the branch removal notice. It's for low branches, ones 2.5 metres or less above the ground that reach at least 50 cm past the boundary. The steps below set out how it works. Our neighbours' trees guide covers disputes that go further.
Tree pruning in Hobart: good to know
Check the branches qualify
They need to be 2.5 metres or less above the ground and reach at least 50 cm over your boundary.
Get a written quote
The notice must include at least one written quote for the work. An arborist can quote for the pruning from your side or theirs.
Give the notice
It must give the neighbour at least 30 days to do the work. Another notice can't be given for the same plant within 12 months.
If nothing happens
You can have the branches removed and claim reasonable expenses from the plant's owner, up to a prescribed maximum of $500 under the regulations.
If it's bigger than branches
Unresolved disputes go to the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, which will want to see you made reasonable attempts to sort it out first.
Tree pruning in Hobart: what's local
Footpaths and sight lines
The City of Hobart expects owners to keep vegetation from growing over public footpaths and rights-of-way, or blocking drivers' view. It can send a written request with a deadline, then do the work and invoice the owner if it isn't done.
Your service line
TasNetworks says vegetation inside your boundary is yours to keep clear, including around the service line to the house. Once branches are within 1 metre of that line, don't touch them; only authorised providers can work that close.
Street lines
TasNetworks keeps vegetation out of the clearance zone around its distribution lines, and says nothing should grow within 3 metres of one. The City of Hobart isn't authorised to prune near lines either, and refers those calls to TasNetworks.
Listed and heritage trees
If a tree is on Hobart's significant tree list, in a heritage place, or in a Natural Assets Code area, heavier pruning may need approval. Kingborough says a permit may be required to alter one of its listed significant trees. Ask your council before a big prune.
Trees and power lines in Hobart
Stop once a branch is within 1 metre of the service line. TasNetworks says you, your tools and your gear must never come within 6.4 metres of a distribution line. Call TasNetworks to ask about temporarily disconnecting the service line so an arborist can clear it, or if branches are touching powerlines now.
Tree pruning in Hobart: what you can do yourself
You can
- Cut back light growth over the footpath from the ground with secateurs, loppers or a pruning saw
- Trim small overhanging branches from your side of the fence, keeping both feet on the ground
- Photograph overhanging branches and measure how far they reach before giving a notice
- Ask the council whether a big tree is listed before booking a heavy prune
Leave to an arborist
- Anything near the service line or street lines
- Large limbs over roofs, driveways or the neighbour's yard
- Pruning on steep ground where a ladder would be needed
- Work on listed significant trees
Hiring an arborist for tree pruning in Hobart
If it's a neighbour's branches, we'd talk to them first, then use the branch removal notice only if the friendly route stalls, with a proper written quote attached. If the council has written about your footpath, we'd get the growth cut back well before the deadline. And if any branch is within 1 metre of the wires to the house, we'd ring TasNetworks before anyone goes near it.