Public invited to comment on significant tree permit proposal

RESIDENTS across the Nambucca Valley are being encouraged to have their say on a proposed amendment that could strengthen protections for significant trees on private land in non-rural areas.

Nambucca Valley Council is seeking community feedback on changes to the Nambucca Development Control Plan 2010, which would introduce a permit requirement for the removal of significant trees located on private land within non-rural zones.

At present, the Development Control Plan provides protection for areas of vegetation on public land cleared by people other than a public authority, as well as specific areas of vegetation identified within the Pearl Estate at Valla.

Council’s General Manager Bede Spannagle said the proposed amendment would expand the application of Part 3 of the State Environmental Planning Policy (Biodiversity and Conservation) 2021 to include significant trees in non-rural zones on private land.

He explained that the intention of the change is to ensure that trees that contribute positively to urban environments are appropriately protected.

“In broad terms, this change is about protecting significant trees; those that are a threatened species, are critical habitat for a threatened species, or meet other important criteria that make a valuable contribution to our community in urban settings,” Mr Spannagle told News Of The Area.

He noted that some trees play an important role in visually breaking up the built environment and enhancing neighbourhood character, and that a permit process could help safeguard trees that have a positive environmental and community impact.

The proposed amendment would apply across a wide range of land zones, including village and residential zones of all densities, large lot residential areas, local and commercial centres, productivity support and industrial zones, mixed use areas, special purpose and infrastructure zones, tourist areas, public and private recreation zones, and environmental conservation, management and living zones.

Under the proposal, a significant tree is defined as one that is listed as a threatened species, forms part of an Endangered Ecological Community, or provides critical habitat for a threatened species.

The definition also includes trees listed on Council’s Significant Tree Register, as well as any tree with a trunk circumference greater than two metres.

Trees with multiple trunks may also be classed as significant if their combined trunk circumference is two metres or more, with an average circumference of at least 625 millimetres.

In all cases, trunk measurements are taken at a height of one metre above natural ground level.

The Endangered Ecological Community species found within the Nambucca Valley are recognised under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and include Coastal Swamp Oak forests, Coastal Swamp Sclerophyll Forest, Littoral Rainforest and Coastal Vine Thickets of Eastern Australia, Lowland Rainforest of Subtropical Australia, New England Peppermint Grassy Woodlands, Subtropical eucalypt floodplain forest and woodland, and Themeda grasslands on headlands and sea cliffs of north-eastern New South Wales.

Further information on trees listed as threatened species can be found through the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, using its Protected Matters Search Tool.

Council is inviting written submissions from community members on the proposed amendment. Submissions must be addressed to the General Manager, Nambucca Valley Council, PO Box 177, Macksville NSW 2447, or emailed to council@nambucca.nsw.gov.au by no later than 27 February 2026.

By Mick BIRTLES