Yes, you can remove trees in Holdfast Bay Council suburbs, but under certain conditions.
Under what conditions?
A tree can be removed without council approval if;
- The tree has a trunk circumference of 2.0m or less measured at a point 1.0m above natural ground level
- Trees with multiple trunks, it is those with trunks with a total circumference of 2.0m or more and an average circumference of 625mm or more measured at a point 1.0m above natural ground level.
A number of tree species are exempt from regulated tree controls. Please see the tree exemption list below.
In addition to the above, there is no need to seek council approval if:
A tree that is dead
The tree is within 20 metres of a dwelling in Medium or High Bushfire Protection Areas.
The trees are located within 10 metres of an existing dwelling or existing inground- swimming pool unless it is one of the two following species of trees:
a) Agonis flexuosa (Willow Myrtle)
b) Eucalyptus (any tree of the species)
Exempt trees
There are trees that can be removed no matter what their size or condition as they are considered a pest by your local council. The above-listed conditions do not apply.
Does my council have an exempt tree list?
Yes, see table below
Common Name
Box Elder
Silver Maple
Tree of Heaven
Evergreen Alder
European Nettle Tree
Chinese Nettle Tree
Camphor Laurel
Monterey Cypress
Moreton bay fig
Narrow-leaved Ash
Desert ash
Norfolk Island Hibiscus
Prickly-leaved Paperback
Radiata Pine / Monterey Pine
London Plane
White poplar
Lombardy Poplar
Black locust
Weeping willow
Evergreen Willow
Crack Willow
Basket Willow
Golden Weeping Willow
Peppercorn Tree
Botanical name
Acer negundo
Acer saccharinum
Citrus × sinensis
Citharexylum spinosum
Celtis australis
Citrus
Cinnamomum camphora
Araucaria heterophylla
Ficus macrophylla
Fraxinus angustifolia
Fraxinus angustifolia ssp.
Ligustrum
Melaleuca styphelioides
Pinus Radiata
Platanus x acerifolia
Populus alba
Pinus radiata
Robinia pseudoacacia
Hevea brasiliensis
Salix chilensis
Salix fragilis
Salix X rubens
Salix
Schinus areira
Does the Council Prune its trees?
Yes. Council owned trees are pruned or removed.
However, this is something that happens in case the trees are intruding into private property or infrastructures.
Who is a General Manager?
When it comes to tree management, you will come across a tree manager.
It is a nominated person to be in charge of various city assets.
When applying for a tree removal permit, you have to make sure that it is in writing.
It is the work of the General Manager, City Assets to assess your application.
The General Manager, City Assets is also in charge of removing street trees when it is appropriate.
His nominated representative can also do the work.
Is it illegal to remove a tree without permit?
Failure to get a permit where necessary and you go ahead to remove or prune a tree is considered an offence.
As a result, you are fined by the council. Heavy fines will apply.
How to apply for a tree removal permit
Go to this online form and fill it out to make a formal request for tree removal approval.
Holdfast Bay City Council contact details
Phone: (08) 8229 9999
Website: https://www.holdfast.sa.gov.au
Holdfast Bay City Tree Preservation order - TPO
The above is a summary of your local Councils tree preservation order. Please follow the link for the full document.
