Tree removal in Glenmore Park: what's local
The reserve on the boundary
NPWS describes Mulgoa Nature Reserve, 213 hectares, as bounded by Mulgoa Creek to the west and Glenmore Park's houses to the north and east. It was reserved on 23 December 1994; Glenmore Park itself had stayed largely rural until subdivision began in the 1970s.
The trees in it, and over your fence
The reserve's woodland is led by grey box, narrow-leaved ironbark and forest red gum, with thin-leaved stringybark and two kinds of apple. Plenty of Glenmore Park gardens hold mature natives too, and Penrith's DCP protects native vegetation communities in every part of the city.
Fire comes from the west
NPWS says fires in the reserve can be most intense in summer, pushed by dry westerly winds, and the last major one, in December 2000, burnt 90% of it. Slashing and other fuel reduction get high priority where houses back straight onto the reserve.
Grass counts on the map now
Penrith's revised bush fire prone land map from December 2024 covers the whole city and includes grassland. Council's Development Services answers questions about it.
Bushfire clearing in Glenmore Park
- Check the RFS 10/50 online tool for your address on the day, and save the result
- Remember 10/50 covers trees within 10 metres of the home, and only shrubs, not trees, out to 50 metres
- Clear only your own land: never the reserve, and never a neighbour's block
- Leave the topsoil and ground cover in place, because 10/50 doesn't allow digging out roots or disturbing the soil
- Ring Penrith if the work falls outside 10/50, because council's rules apply instead
Common tree jobs in Glenmore Park
Where gardens have big established natives, the work tends to be deadwood over the roof, a gum that has outgrown a small yard, or limbs reaching for the fence after wind. Much of that is pruning work, and Penrith recommends an arborist with AQF Level 3 or above who prunes to AS 4373-2007.
Removal is a bigger step. Penrith asks for a site plan and photos, and an arborist report where it's relevant, and says leaf drop or debris alone isn't generally a reason to take a tree out. The Penrith permit page has the full rules.
Hiring an arborist in Glenmore Park
Backing onto the reserve, we'd have an arborist look at the trees nearest the house before summer and get the deadwood and roof-touching branches pruned, asking council first where the tree is covered, then check the 10/50 tool instead of guessing. Healthy remnant gums, we'd leave standing unless council and an arborist both say otherwise.