This post has been updated for 2018  – Please click here for the link.

“Wyong Shire Council’s new tree policy has now come into effect, and is designed to make it easier for residents to remove trees that are potentially dangerous or problem trees in an effort to protect properties from damage.”

Really?

Or is this just a publicity stunt to keep Wyong Shire residents quiet for a while?

The adopted amendment to Council’s tree policy now enables the removal of non-significant tree species within six metres of an approved structure in residential areas, or 12 metres of an approved structure in non residential areas, with trees able to be removed without formal Council consent, with permission of the land owner.

Residents must ensure the trees are correctly identified prior to removal.
Trees identified in the DCP (Development Control Plan) as significant species such as protected native plants, threatened species, and keystone species – which provide food or habitat for native fauna – or trees of cultural significance still cannot be removed without an application for Council consent.

What does this mean?

It means you still need approval for nearly every problem tree. As a tree service business owner on the Central Coast, in my job, I drive around all day looking at trees in the Gosford and Wyong Shires.

90% of the large hazardous trees that I look at, that residents want removed are gum trees (eucalypt and related species). Nearly all of these are listed on the Wyong Council DCP as significant keystone species.

Conclusion?

Wyong Councils new tree policy makes absolutely no difference in making it easier to remove the main offending potentially dangerous or problem trees threatening your property. You will still need to get Council approval for these and you may even need an Arborist Report to support your application.

Don’t get me wrong. I love trees and I think that Wyong Council has a great policy in terms of preserving the natural treescape of the area. Its just he way this policy change has been publicised that got the hopes of many residents up, only to have them put down again.