Sutherland Shire Development Control Plan 2015 - Draft Amendment 9

Consultation has concluded

tree and house

At the 2024 May Council Meeting, the Council proposed to make an amendment to the Sutherland Shire Development Control Plan (DCP) 2015 and we want to hear your feedback.

The proposed change to Clause 4.10 Special Considerations for Trees which are Growing in Close Proximity to Buildings is to allow the removal of trees within 3 metres of planned dwellings or pools on private land where a development application has been accepted and approved by Council.

The DCP guides the assessment of applications to remove trees on private land. There are other legislative documents that also apply to the removal of trees, such as State environmental planning policies and Rural Fires legislation. Council’s Local Environment Plan also protects some heritage listed trees. For more information about removing trees on private land, visit our website.

The draft amendment seeks to recognise the desires of residents to develop land unobstructed by trees. The DCP already permits the removal of trees in close proximity to existing dwellings or pools on private land.

Council recognises that trees play a vital role in keeping our neighbourhoods resilient and sustainable. To replace tree canopies removed from private properties, we have a program of planting new trees in our streets and parks. When an application to remove a tree is approved, the applicant must either plant replacement trees on their property or request Council plant replacement trees on Council land for a fee. The fee for a replacement tree is being increased from $130 to $400 to better reflect actual costs of planting and maintaining the tree.

You can view the draft plan, Council meeting report / minutes and Council meeting recording in the Document Library. More information is provided through the FAQ section.

Have your say

Council is seeking feedback on the amended DCP until 24 July 2024:

  • Online by providing feedback below
  • In writing to Strategic Planning Unit, Locked Bag 17, Sutherland NSW 1499.

For further information please contact the Strategic Planning Unit by emailing spu@nsw.gov.au or calling 02 9710 0800.

Next steps

Following community consultation, Council will review all feedback. It is anticipated that a further report will be provided to the Council in August 2024 to consider adoption of the amended DCP.


At the 2024 May Council Meeting, the Council proposed to make an amendment to the Sutherland Shire Development Control Plan (DCP) 2015 and we want to hear your feedback.

The proposed change to Clause 4.10 Special Considerations for Trees which are Growing in Close Proximity to Buildings is to allow the removal of trees within 3 metres of planned dwellings or pools on private land where a development application has been accepted and approved by Council.

The DCP guides the assessment of applications to remove trees on private land. There are other legislative documents that also apply to the removal of trees, such as State environmental planning policies and Rural Fires legislation. Council’s Local Environment Plan also protects some heritage listed trees. For more information about removing trees on private land, visit our website.

The draft amendment seeks to recognise the desires of residents to develop land unobstructed by trees. The DCP already permits the removal of trees in close proximity to existing dwellings or pools on private land.

Council recognises that trees play a vital role in keeping our neighbourhoods resilient and sustainable. To replace tree canopies removed from private properties, we have a program of planting new trees in our streets and parks. When an application to remove a tree is approved, the applicant must either plant replacement trees on their property or request Council plant replacement trees on Council land for a fee. The fee for a replacement tree is being increased from $130 to $400 to better reflect actual costs of planting and maintaining the tree.

You can view the draft plan, Council meeting report / minutes and Council meeting recording in the Document Library. More information is provided through the FAQ section.

Have your say

Council is seeking feedback on the amended DCP until 24 July 2024:

  • Online by providing feedback below
  • In writing to Strategic Planning Unit, Locked Bag 17, Sutherland NSW 1499.

For further information please contact the Strategic Planning Unit by emailing spu@nsw.gov.au or calling 02 9710 0800.

Next steps

Following community consultation, Council will review all feedback. It is anticipated that a further report will be provided to the Council in August 2024 to consider adoption of the amended DCP.


Consultation has concluded

  • DCP Amendment 9 not proceeding

    The proposed amendment to the Development Control Plan (DCP) was discussed at the Council meeting on 25 November 2024. A further report was provided to the Council on the impact that change would have on both tree canopy on private property, and proposed built form (including ancillary development).

    Based on the advice provided by Council staff within the report and the feedback we received from the community, the Council resolved not to proceed with making the amendment. The removal of trees to make way for planned dwellings or pools on private land will continue to be subject to merit assessment by Council under the development application process.

    View the report and minutes from the meeting on our website.


  • Update on Sutherland Shire Development Control Plan 2015 - Draft Amendment 9

    Thank you to those who provided feedback on proposed amendment to the Development Control Plan (DCP). All feedback was reviewed and considered by the Strategic Planning team and summarised in a report prepared for the elected Council. View the report on our website (from page 39).

    The matter was discussed at the August 2024 Council meeting. Consideration of the amendment to the DCP has been deferred until November, pending a further report to Council on the impact of the proposed amendment on both tree canopy on private property, and proposed built form (including ancillary development). View the minutes from the meeting on our website (from page 9).

    We will keep interested members of the community updated on progress.