About the changes to our Tree Management Policy

The changes are designed to ensure that tree works are carried out responsibly to maintain the City’s tree assets, while providing greater flexibility to landowners. Protection of the City’s tree canopy is one of Council’s sustainability objectives.

Currently, tree management in the city is undertaken in accordance with Council's Tree Management Policy and the Development Control Plan (DCP) Chapter 21 Preservation and removal of trees and vegetation.

To streamline processes and assist the community in applying controls to their circumstances, Council is proposing the Development Control Plan (DCP) become the single policy document relating to tree work in the City. Importantly, the DCP nominates what the City considers as Declared Vegetation. Declared Vegetation requires a permit from Council before for any tree works can be undertaken.

Take a look at the full table of proposed changes below!

Seedlings onsite
Shellharbour City Council Nursery
Bush Regeneration team
Bush Regeneration team planting

Proposed Changes


Important documents

Share your feedback

Public Exhibition

Before making a submission, we encourage you to read over the Petitions and Submissions Policy and Submissions Procedure. By reading these documents you will familiarise yourself with the submission process and ensure that your submission is valid. Your personal information contained in your submission is collected by Council for the purpose of corresponding with you about your submission. If you make an anonymous submission, Council will be unable to contact you further. A summary of the points made in your submission will be contained in the Council meetings business paper and made public on Council’s website, your personal information will not be displayed. Check the Privacy Statement for further information.

How can I make a submission?

Submissions must be received in writing and addressed to

The Chief Executive Officer
Locked Bag 155
Shellharbour City Centre NSW 2529

or sent by email to:

council@shellharbour.nsw.gov.au

or complete all sections of the form below. If you do not leave your personal details, any information will be received as informal feedback.

The Tree Management Policy (Proposed Policy) was on public exhibition from 27 March 2025 until 4pm Thursday 24 April 2025.

The draft Development Control Plan applies to the Local Environmental Plans (LEPs) that apply to the Shellharbour LGA: