Tree removal permits in Hurstville
The owner applies
Only the tree's owner can sign an application to remove it. The Application to Prune or Remove Tree(s) on Private Property goes to the Hurstville or Kogarah Service Centre, by post or by email.
Evidence for old damage
If the reason is a cracked wall or a blocked sewer, council wants supporting information, which may be a report from an AQF level 5 arborist, a building inspector or a structural engineer.
An officer visits
A council officer inspects the site and does a Visual Tree Assessment, then issues a written permit setting out the approved work and its conditions.
Allow time
Council aims to complete the assessment within eighteen weeks, and it can take longer if access or information is a problem.
Replant, or ask for a review
Replacement trees may be required at 2:1, at least 45L, planted within six weeks. A review has to be lodged within 6 months, with new information.
Tree removal in Hurstville: what's local
Turpentine and ironbark country
Sydney Turpentine-Ironbark Forest, a critically endangered community of turpentine, grey gum and ironbarks on shale-influenced soil, survives in remnants in the Hurstville area. A big old turpentine or ironbark in an established yard may be part of it, which is worth knowing before anyone quotes a removal.
Palms and Brush Box on the register
The council's Significant Tree Register includes 74 Canary Island Date Palms along Laycock Road, Penshurst, and 60 Brush Box in Anglo Square, Carlton, both close by. Register trees on private property still go through a tree permit.
Bush along the river
Toward the Georges River, the local bush fire plan rates homes from Picnic Point to Oatley as High Risk, with ignition prevention work listed for Oatley and Oatley West. Blocks backing onto reserves there have fire planning to think about.
Ausgrid's lines
Georges River is on Ausgrid's network. A tree touching a street line is Ausgrid's job, and nobody should go near it.
Reasons that won't carry an application
Georges River won't approve tree work just to open up a view, cut down leaf, flower, fruit or bark drop, or reduce the mess from animals living in the tree.
A neighbour can prune branches over the fence only with a permit or where the policy treats the work as exempt works, and council suggests a chat with the tree's owner first. The policy lists hedge pruning and removing deadwood (dead branches, not a dead tree) apart from the works needing approval, so ask council which list your job falls on.
Hiring an arborist in Hurstville
If the tree is causing damage, we'd get the plumber's or engineer's report done before lodging, because that's the evidence council asks for. Then we'd lodge early, since eighteen weeks is a long wait if the tree is holding up a renovation, and we'd only book the arborist once the permit is in hand.