City of Ryde has reviewed its Development Control Plan Part 9.5 –Tree Preservation (DCP Part 9.5) to update the objectives, controls, and guidelines for tree preservation.The proposed amendments also align with recently updated State Government legislation relevant to tree and vegetation management. The updates and amendments will support our commitment to increasing tree canopy as detailed in the Ryde Urban Forest Strategy.

The draft amendments to DCP Part 9.5 - Tree Preservation was on public exhibition to seek community comment between Monday 16 September and Sunday 27 October 2024.

Key Amendments

The amendments to DCP Part 9.5 place a focus on proactive retention and preservation of existing trees as well as the planting of new trees. This approach is due to Council’s aim to foster a view that trees provide amenity to the broader community and improve liveability with significant retention value. The amendments also address the requirements of the Biodiversity and Conservation SEPP 2021 and adopt a landscape approach to vegetation and tree management as recommended in the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment’s guidelines; Managing Vegetation with a Development Control Plan.


The proposed controls in the draft updated DCP Part 9.5 are aimed at optimising the retention of trees while facilitating appropriate tree pruning and removals consistent with safety issues, impact on infrastructure, and other relevant factors as assessed by a qualified arborist.

Key amendments to the DCP Part 9.5 can be seen below:

CurrentProposed

No reference to Biodiversity SEPP

Ensure alignment to Biodiversity and Conservation SEPP (2021)

No reference to updated City of Ryde Urban Forest StrategyEnsure alignment and reference to Urban Forest Strategy (2023)
Technical references includedLanguage simplified and noted where technical references are within other documents
Replacement plantings for approved removals required on a 1 for 1 basisReplacement plantings for approved removals required on a 3 to 1 basis
Tree is exempt if it is 4m from an enclosing wallTree is exempt if it is within 3m from building structure over 25m2
Tree is exempt if it is within 4m of outside edge of pool copingDeleted
Tree is exempt if it is within 4m of the outside edge of a carportDeleted
Tree is exempt if stem circumference measured at 1.4m height is 450mm or smallerTree is exempt if stem circumference measured at 1.4m height is 150mm or smaller
Exclusions from Exempt WorksExpanded to indicate Council must be satisfied included proposed works meet exemption requirements
Lack of clarity in relation to tree works associated with Complying DevelopmentLanguage clarified for tree works requirements relating to development sites
Removal of dead or dying requires an applicationExpanded to include protection for trees with habitat hollows and clarity around tree risk assessment requirements
Camphor Laurel species included on exempt species listCamphor Laurel tree greater than 10m in height are no longer exempt (subject to permit application)

  • View the Document

    Draft Development Control Plan 2014 - Tree Preservation

    PDF (2.5 MB)