NSW’s peak body for local government has welcomed the NSW Government’s proposed crackdown on illegal tree and vegetation clearing as a major win for councils, communities and the environment in urban areas across the state.
Local Government NSW (LGNSW) President Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM congratulated the NSW Government on its announced consultation proposing stronger penalties.
Mayor Miller said the announcement showed the State Government had heard and acted upon councils’ calls for stronger protections.
“LGNSW and councils have long called for action to address illegal tree clearing, with this matter raised at our 2022, 2023 and 2024 Annual Conferences,” Mayor Miller said.
“One of our advocacy priorities for the current year is for the NSW Government to legislate to increase protection of trees, with increased penalties for illegal destruction and vandalism,” she said.
“The NSW Government’s proposed changes would strengthen councils’ ability to protect their communities’ urban canopy and natural environment,” Mayor Miller said.
The Government has said the proposed changes would:
• Increase fines and penalties for illegal tree and vegetation clearing.
• Ensure existing restrictions on complying development where illegal clearing has occurred can be enforced.
• Improve compliance and enforcement outcomes by making the policy clearer, giving councils the power to issue orders relating to vegetation clearing.
• Close potential loopholes associated with the removal of dead, dying and dangerous vegetation.
• Require tree clearing permits to include a condition to replace cleared vegetation.
Mayor Miller thanked the NSW Government for listening to councils and communities.
“Councils invest millions in planting and maintaining trees and urban greenery, making our communities cooler, greener and more liveable. Trees are also critical to protecting biodiversity,” Mayor Miller said.
“We know our communities love their trees, but we need to ensure that penalties for illegal clearing act as a sufficient deterrent for the small minority who think they’re above the law,” she said.
“LGNSW looks forward to carefully reviewing the proposed reforms in consultation with councils and contributing to this important step forward,” Mayor Miller said.
