Trees and Their Impact on Private Services and Infrastructure

Trees and Their Impact on Private Services

Trees are recognised worldwide as vital community assets that enhance health, liveability, and sustainability. In the City of Ryde, trees provide shade, improve air quality, support biodiversity, and contribute to neighbourhood character. With such extensive tree cover across the city, most residents live near street or park trees, and at times conflicts may arise where public trees are perceived to impact private assets. The following information outlines Council’s position and provides advice for residents.

Private In-ground and Electrical Services

Who is responsible?

Property owners are responsible for maintaining their private in-ground assets, including sewer and stormwater pipes (from the property to the Sydney Water main/outlet), as well as electrical and telecommunications cables. Even when these services pass through public land, they remain the responsibility of the property and service owner, not Council.

All underground pipes have a limited lifespan. Common causes of failure include ageing, poor installation, ground movement, or deteriorating joints, which can allow water to leak and attract tree roots. Maintenance or replacement is therefore the responsibility of the property owner.

Why do tree roots enter pipes?

Tree roots are opportunistic, growing where moisture and nutrients are available. Roots will not penetrate intact pipes. They only exploit faults or leaks where nutrient-rich water is escaping, typically around old or damaged pipe joints. Roots found in blocked pipes are usually fine feeder roots, which lack the axial growth pressure to force entry into an intact or gap free pipe and cannot break into pipes but will grow and expand once a weakness exists.

How can I prevent this?

• Replace old pipes with PVC/UPVC pipes with pressure-tight joints.
• Consider pipe re-lining to avoid excavation where/if pipes are not collapsed.
• Ensure good quality backfill and compaction around services as per Australian Standards and best practices.
• Use plumbing methods (chemical or mechanical) as a short-term solution only.

Further Resources

• Sydney Water | Responsibility for pipes and assets
• The Arborist Network | Tree Root Damage to Pipes

Suspected Impact on Built Structures

If residents suspect public tree roots are affecting private structures such as retaining walls or fences, they can contact Council to arrange an inspection. Where public tree roots are confirmed as a significant contributing factor by Council staff, Council may undertake trenching, root pruning, or root barrier installation on public land to mitigate impacts.

However, walls can also fail due to many causes, including but not limited to:

• Poor construction or inadequate footings
• Age and deterioration
• Soil movement or hydrostatic pressure from poor drainage
• Vegetation behind the wall or irrigation systems

It is important to note that Council is not automatically liable for damage caused by street trees, particularly where no prior evidence of risk exists or where natural ground movement is the primary cause. Properly constructed walls with solid foundations should withstand typical root growth.

Early detection and notification are essential. Where tree roots from a public tree are confirmed as a factor, Council will consider appropriate mitigation measures to prevent further damage.