Shoalhaven City Council values the contribution trees make to the natural and built environment of our City. Trees in our urban areas contribute to the look and feel of our city and provide a link between our built environment and our National Parks and Nature Reserves. This link benefits our community and the native wildlife that utilise our urban environment.

Tree removal / pruning
The Shoalhaven City Council Tree Preservation Order requires land owners to obtain approval before removing or pruning trees on their land. To make it easier for land owners to manage risks on their land some trees are exempt from the Order and can be removed without consent.

Trees and neighbours
Trees can unfortunately cause dispute between neighbours for a variety of reasons. Residents often contact Council to express their concerns about a neighbour’s tree in the hope that Council will mediate or resolve the matter by requiring their neighbour to carry out work.

Shoalhaven City Council’s Tree Management Policy does not give Council the authority to direct any resident to remove or prune a tree. Council is also unable to mediate between neighbours as it is a civil matter that should be resolved between neighbours or through the Land and Environment Court.