Clearing Trees and Vegetation from around your home after a bush fire

The first step is to check the conditions of the 10/50 Vegetation Clearing Scheme on the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS)website.

Under the 10/50 Code, eligible property owners may only be able to clear trees on their property within 10 metres of their home and clear underlying vegetation such as shrubs (but not trees) on their property within 50 metres of their home without approval. Eligible property owners can only clear their own land.

Restrictions may apply to certain properties and before any clearing is undertaken, property owners must check and verify, if their properties meet the 10/50 Vegetation Clearing Scheme criteria.

Landholders can check their eligibility at www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/plan-and-prepare/1050-vegetation-clearing/tool.

Property Zoning

The next step for landholders is to check the zoning of their property, to determine the relevant agency for tree and vegetation clearing requirements.

Landholders can check the zoning of their property, using the State Government’s online tool: www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/spatialviewer/#/find-a-property/address.

The NSW Planning Portal is an initiative of the New South Wales Government acting through the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment that provides access to a range of planning services and information under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.

For properties that are zoned rural, landowners should contact Local Land Services Moss Vale office on 48 243 738 or visit southeast.lls.nsw.gov.au.

For all other non-rural zoned properties, including those in Environment Zones, and applications that are part of or related to Development Applications, landholders should contact Council.

Further Exemptions

Further exemptions for fire-affected vegetation, may apply if the tree(s) are deemed dead, dying or dangerous to life or property. Land owners should contact Council for instructions, on what to do, if their properties have been extensively burnt during the course of a bushfire.

For more information visit http://media.wsc.nsw.gov.au/managing-vegetation-prior-to-and-after-a-bushfire/