Yes, 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 see council approval if:
- A tree that is dead
- The tree is within 20 meters of a dwelling in Medium or High Bushfire Protection Areas.
- The trees are located within 10 meters of an existing dwelling or existing in-ground swimming pool, unless
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.
See table below
Does my council have an exempt tree list?
Yes, see the 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
Tree and Development
For the council of Payneham Norwood and St Peters, developers who want to remove trees or do any work will also need a permit from the council.
This is called the Development Application Form which gives you permission to remove or work on any regulated trees when doing development.
Here is a link to the form.
https://www.npsp.sa.gov.au/files/batch1350970271_development_application_form_2011.pdf?v=679
Penalties for the breach of regulations
Anyone that works on regulated trees without obtaining a permit is found guilty of any offense.
The penalty for cutting down trees without a permit can go to as high as $120,000.
How to handle tree work on Emergency situations?
The council gives room for residents to do tree work on significant or regulated trees in emergency cases without even receiving a permit.
In such cases, the owner of the tree is however required to fill and submit a Development Application for all the work done to the council for evaluation.
What about pruning?
For pruning, you will need a permit in one of these cases when working on significant or regulated trees.
- If you are going to prune an excess of 30% of the tree’s crown
- When removing diseased wood
- In case you are removing branches that pose a danger to other people or buildings
- When pruning roots and it will affect the trees appearance and health
How to apply for a tree removal permit
http://www.npsp.sa.gov.au/files/561_regulated_tree_removal_form_july_2012.pdf?v=315
Go to the above online form and fill it out to make a formal request for tree removal approval.
Payneham Norwood and St Peters Council contact details
Phone: (08) 8366 4555
Website: http://www.npsp.sa.gov.au
Payneham Norwood and St Peters Tree Preservation order - TPO
The above is a summary of your local Councils tree preservation order. Please follow the link for the full document.
