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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →The City of Cockburn’s Tree Protection Local Planning Policy 5.23 took effect on 28 May 2026. If you plan to remove, heavily prune or carry out building work near a potentially regulated tree, check the policy and whether approval is needed before work starts. Routine pruning can continue, but the rules can apply to damaging a tree even when the proposed building work would otherwise be exempt from development approval.
When the policy took effect
The City says the policy commenced on 28 May 2026. It followed a planning scheme amendment that removed the previous protection limited to trees on the Significant Tree Register. The City’s amendment register records Tree Protection Amendment 182 as ministerially endorsed on 8 April 2026 and gazetted on 26 May 2026. The final policy is LPP 5.23; an earlier consultation page referred to a draft as LPP 5.26, which is not the adopted policy.
During the 2025 public advertising period, the City received 323 submissions. The City reports that 76 per cent of people who had their say supported adopting a planning policy to protect mature trees on private property. Those figures are published by the City and are not an independently verified survey analysis. City of Cockburn announcement · Amendment timeline
Is a tree on your property regulated?
Under the adopted policy, a regulated tree is a living tree that is not listed on a State or local weed register and meets at least one of these criteria:
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- 【48" Tall Tree Protectors from Deer】Package comes with 4 packs of metal mesh with the width 13" and height 48", You can assemble 4 packs of tree guards that are 48” tall. For easy transportation, we roll the wire mesh horizontally and package it. Just follow the attached manual for installation when using it!
- 【Sturdy Metal Tree Guards】Our tree bark protectors are made of 2mm thick heavy wire, which is stronger than the normal1.6mm thick and is not easily damaged and deformed by deer or critters. The vinyl coating of the wire mesh helps prevent rust and corrosion, so the tree trunk protector has a long service life
- 【Stackable & Expandable】By stacking and securing 1 or 2 or more protections together with zip ties, you can make the trunk wider or taller to fit the size of your trees
- 【Easy to Install】Bend the wire mesh into a cylinder, and simply wrap the tree protector around the tree and fasten it with the included zip ties, and secondly, insert the included metal stakes to keep the tree protector in place
- 【Widely Used】Our tree trunk protector can effectively protect your saplings from small animals such as deer, rodents, rabbits, squirrels, mice and others while avoiding damage of trimmers and lawn mowers. At the same time, they can also be used as tree orthotics to help trees grow upward
- It is shown on Urban Monitor mapping available through DataWA as 8 metres or taller.
- It is on the City’s Significant Tree Register.
- It was planted as a replanting condition after approval to remove a regulated tree.
- It was identified on a site survey required under the City’s Environmental Conservation policy.
Palm species are excluded unless they are on the Significant Tree Register. Height alone is not the only route to regulation, so do not assume a shorter tree is outside the policy or that every tall tree is automatically regulated without checking the stated criteria. See the adopted Tree Protection Local Planning Policy 5.23.
What work can count as damaging a tree?
The policy reaches beyond felling. Tree-damaging activity includes killing or removing a regulated tree, and damage that causes its death or declining health. It also covers severing branches from the trunk or leading stem, ringbarking, poisoning, topping, lopping and other substantial damage.
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Work around the roots can also matter. The policy includes damage to more than 10 per cent of roots within the canopy drip line on the lot. Paving, asphalting, changes to soil level or soil compaction in that area may be covered where they cause death or declining health. A construction plan should therefore account for both the canopy and the root zone, not just the tree trunk.
When you may need approval
The policy applies to development and subdivision applications, local development plans and strategic planning proposals. It also applies when someone proposes to damage a regulated tree without another development or subdivision application.
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- UPGRADED REINFORCED AND ENCRYPTED EDGES WITH ROPES: Quick installation with tangle-free setup, securely fastening to the ground or posts for enhanced protection. The 5/8” square mesh effectively restricts animal movement, providing safety for your garden, poultry, and pets
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- EASY INSTALLATION AND STORAGE: Setting up this fence is quick and hassle-free. Each set includes 50 zip ties and 8 ground stakes for extra convenience. Simply secure it to posts, trees, or the ground. After use, it rolls up easily for compact storage, making it perfect for portability
- METAL FENCE ALTERNATIVE: Our black plastic fencing compares favorably to metal fencing that won't rust, costs less, and is easy to install. It's a must-have for homeowners, farmers and ranchers who want reliable plant and animal protection
Pay particular attention if you are planning other work on the lot. The City says development approval for damage to a regulated tree may still be required even when the other work would ordinarily be exempt, including a deemed-to-comply single house. An exemption for the building work does not, by itself, settle whether tree damage needs approval.
Exempt work and everyday pruning
The City says routine pruning and everyday gardening can continue as normal. The policy also lists exemptions for specified circumstances, including:
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- Products Included: Package comes with 12 pieces of metal cylindrical shape tree protectors with the height 16.5" and diameter 4.26", 100pcs cable zip ties, 40pcs metal stakes. With this ideal kit, you can customize a suitable tree guard to protect the trunk of your saplings
- Expandable: Fits all sizes of trees.You can expand it vertically and horizontally according to the diameter and height of the plant, assemble multiple metal meshes to make it taller or wider
- Heavy Duty Trunk Mesh: Our Metal Mesh Tree Trunk Protectors from Deer is made of 2mm thick heavy duty metal wire, which is not only strong and durable and resistant to damage and deformation by critters, but also provides the trees with proper watering, full sunlight and natural air circulation. While providing optimal protection, plant growth and photosynthesis are not compromised
- Easy to Install: Tree protectors for saplings are pre-bent in shape for easy installation, simply wrap the tree protector around the tree and fasten it with the included zip ties, and secondly, insert the included metal stakes to keep the tree protector in place. We recommend using 5 zippers and 3 metal posts for each tree protection
- Wide Application: These plant and tree protectors can effectively protect your plants from trimmers and lawn mowers, and prevent rodents, rabbits, deer, squirrels, dogs, cats, mice and other small animals from gnawing and climbing, so that young saplings can grow healthily. At the same time, they can also be used as tree orthoses to help trees grow upwards and make your garden and lawn more beautiful
- Work on a tree that is not regulated.
- Urgent work necessary for public safety, safety or security of plants, buildings or equipment, essential services, or environmental protection.
- Activity expressly required by an approved Bushfire Management Plan.
- Declared plants or weeds of national significance.
- Work required by a State department for plant-biosecurity reasons.
- Removal required under a Local Government Act notice for an obstructive or dangerous tree.
- Compliance with the City’s Fire Control Order.
- Specified controlled pruning in prescribed airspace by Jandakot Airport or CASA.
These are defined exceptions, not a general permission to remove a tree that is inconvenient. Check the policy wording against the specific work and circumstances before relying on an exemption.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How the City assesses a proposal
Retention and protection for a tree’s natural lifespan are the starting point unless removal is expressly approved or an exemption applies. The policy asks proponents to show that alternatives were considered, such as a smaller building, a different layout or construction method, or a revised driveway, crossover, access or parking design.
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- 【Pre-bent Design】Each piece metal mesh is pre-bent in the installed shape for easy installation and saving your time. Just put the 3 wire mesh together to form a circle, fasten it with the included zip ties and secure them with stakes, no additional tools are required
- 【Sturdy & Long-lasting】Our plant protectors from animals are made of 2mm thick heavy wire, which is stronger than the normal1.6mm thick and is not easily damaged and deformed. The vinyl coating of the wire mesh helps prevent rust and corrosion and long service life
- 【Various Size Plant Cages】Each plant cages for outdoor plants measures 13.4" in diameter and 13.8" in height, you can combine 3 or more wire mesh for a larger plants, which will give the plants plenty of room to grow
- 【Widely Used】Plant cages to keep animals out protect your plants from lawn mowers, they can effectively prevent small animals such as mice, squirrels and rabbits from damaging your plant like newly planted flowers and bulbs,seedling and more plants in your garden
In assessing an application, the City considers the tree’s health, maturity, species and location; ecological, biodiversity, environmental, cultural and historical values; its contribution to streetscape and future character; and whether it can feasibly be retained alongside development reasonably anticipated by the zoning.
The policy gives a strong presumption against removing a Black Cockatoo breeding or roosting tree. Federal environmental approval may also be relevant, so a City planning decision should not be treated as a substitute for any separate approval that applies.
What to include in an application
The policy calls for evidence that lets the City understand the tree, the proposed work and possible alternatives. The application should include:
- A site survey or plan showing tree locations and details.
- The expected impacts and relevant tree protection zones.
- Proposed planting and a written justification for the proposal.
- Whether the tree was identified for retention at an earlier planning stage.
- Redesign options considered to avoid or reduce impacts.
The City may require an arborist report to address tree health, safety or mitigation. The policy defines an arboriculturist preparing such a report as someone with at least a Diploma of Horticulture (Arboriculture), AQF level 5 or equivalent, and demonstrated high-level experience in assessment and diagnosis. An arborist can provide technical evidence; the City makes the planning decision.
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A practical check before construction or tree work
- Identify the tree. Check the adopted policy criteria, including Urban Monitor mapping, the Significant Tree Register and any relevant site survey or replanting condition.
- Describe the work precisely. Consider proposed pruning or removal as well as excavation, paving, soil-level changes and compaction within the canopy drip line.
- Check whether another application is involved. If building, subdivision or other site works are planned, confirm whether tree approval is also needed—even if the other work is ordinarily exempt.
- Test any exemption against its exact terms. Routine pruning is different from substantial damage, and the listed exceptions are circumstance-specific.
- Plan for retention and assemble evidence. Consider layout and construction alternatives, map the tree and protection zones, and obtain an appropriately qualified arborist report if required.
- Confirm current requirements with the City before work begins. The policy and planning requirements may change, so use the current City page and adopted policy when making a decision.
The City’s official information does not establish a policy-specific application fee, processing-time commitment or infringement penalty. Do not assume a figure from an unrelated local law applies to this policy.
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