Tree removal permits in the Perth Hills
The Perth Hills take in the Darling Scarp and the country east of it, across the Shire of Mundaring, the City of Kalamunda and the City of Swan. The hills above Armadale are often treated as a separate area. Each council writes its own fire notice, so start with the right one; Kalamunda has its own page.
Do I need approval to take out a tree in Mundaring?
Often, yes. Mundaring's Local Planning Scheme No.4 protects creek lines, native vegetation and habitat trees, and the Shire says most development affecting the natural environment needs planning approval. Clearing without it may be an offence under the Planning and Development Act 2005.
State and federal layers sit on top. A clearing permit may be needed from the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, and clearing banksia woodland or black-cockatoo habitat trees may need a referral under the federal EPBC Act 1999. The Shire offers an Environmental Asset Inspection to flag what's on your land first. Our WA permits page has the state picture.
Signs a tree needs an arborist in the Perth Hills
- Leaves yellowing or wilting in a way that looks like drought, which can be Phytophthora dieback attacking the roots
- Twigs and branches dying back
- Fungi growing on stems and branches
- On a marri: decaying, peeling or splitting bark and heavy kino (gum), the signs of marri canker
- Small round holes or sawdust-like frass on the trunk, which should be reported as possible shot-hole borer
Tree health in the Perth Hills
Dieback is caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi, a soil-dwelling organism that attacks roots. It travels in water and soil, and on muddy boots, tyres and machinery, so clean gear and fewer earthworks are the best defence. Phosphite, injected or sprayed, can help protect trees, and the Shire says a dieback specialist should make the diagnosis.
Marri canker is harder news. The Shire says that once symptoms are visible, a tree is unlikely to recover, and there's no control yet. A cankered marri near the house is worth an arborist's assessment before it turns into a rushed removal. See is my tree dead?.
Tree removal in the Perth Hills: what's local
Mundaring's firebreaks
Firebreaks are kept from 1 November to 31 March, at least 3 metres wide and 4 metres high, clear of living or dead branches in that space. The asset protection zone is 20 metres around the home, stopping at your boundary.
Penalties and warnings
A breach can bring a penalty of up to $5,000.00. The Shire may first send a warning that gives 10 more calendar days to fix it.
Wooroloo, 2021
The Wooroloo bushfire started on 1 February 2021, burnt 10,900 hectares and destroyed at least 86 houses across Mundaring and Swan. Fire notices up here aren't a formality.
Verge gums under the wires
Naturally occurring verge trees, mostly marri and jarrah, that get into power lines are generally Western Power's to manage, the Shire says. Planted verge trees are a question for the Shire.
Trees and power lines in the Perth Hills
Keep 8 metres from any damaged line, assume it's live and call Western Power. Call 000 first for fire or injury. On high fire danger days, check Emergency WA (emergency.wa.gov.au) for alerts.
Hiring an arborist in the Perth Hills
Book the Shire's Environmental Asset Inspection, or ask your own council the same question, before any tree comes out. Then do the fire notice pruning around what has to stay. If a marri or jarrah looks sick, get it diagnosed before you decide anything, and make sure whoever comes arrives with clean boots, tyres and gear.