10/50 Vegetation Clearing Code of Practice

Rural Fire Service 10/50 Vegetation Clearing Code of Practice

The 10/50 Vegetation Clearing Entitlement Scheme was introduced by the NSW Government in conjunction with the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) to assist property owners in bushfire-prone areas. Effective 12 August 2015, the scheme was significantly amended.

This Code of Practice allows eligible property owners, within a designated Vegetation Clearing Entitlement Area, to clear trees and vegetation within certain distances of their homes without formal Council approval.

Please note: The 10/50 Scheme is a State Government initiative managed by the RFS and is not a policy of City of Ryde Council.

Responsibilities of Property Owners:

• Use the NSW RFS online tool to check if your property is within a 10/50 entitlement area.
• Ensure all clearing works comply with the RFS Code of Practice.
• Be aware that clearing under the 10/50 scheme does not override obligations under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). Endangered Ecological Communities such as Blue Gum High Forest, Sydney Turpentine Ironbark Forest, and Coastal Saltmarsh (including Mangroves) are protected under this Act.

Public Land and Council Trees:

• The 10/50 Code does not apply to Council-managed land. Residents must not remove or prune trees on public land without Council consent.
• Any works on public trees, or requiring access via Council land, require prior written consent from Council’s Tree Management Team.
• Pruning public trees from private land should only be undertaken following Council assessment to ensure compliance with the RFS Code and Australian Standard AS 4373 – Pruning of Amenity Trees. Breaches will be investigated and may result in fines or prosecution.

Additional Key Points:

• Property owners are not obligated to remove or prune trees on their private land.
• Concerns about the impacts of the legislation should be directed to the NSW RFS Commissioner.
• Fire risk concerns can be submitted in writing to either Council or the RFS. The RFS will inspect and provide feedback to both parties.

More Information:

• Visit the NSW RFS 10/50 Vegetation Clearing Tool to check eligibility.
• Learn about protected ecological communities under the EPBC Act:
  • Blue Gum High Forest of the Sydney Basin Region
  • Turpentine-Ironbark Forest in the Sydney Basin Bioregion

For enquiries, contact the NSW Rural Fire Service on (02) 8741 5555.