Suppose you have a view of a beautiful row of old beech or oak. The trees are owned by the government or your neighbors. A cutting permit (officially: an environmental permit for cutting) has been applied for and granted. For example, the row of trees has to be cut before building a house or constructing a road. What can you still do as a citizen?

Interested parties can object to harvesting permits within six weeks

You can object to a harvesting permit issued by a municipality, at least if you are an interested party. This objection must be submitted to the Municipal Executive of that municipality within six weeks after the harvesting permit has been sent to the applicant.

Many people think that they have little chance in an (objection) procedure, so if a permit has already been granted, but this is not true. If a municipality issues a felling permit, this decision must be well reasoned. The concerns raised by stakeholders should be investigated. If the municipality considers the objections to be unfounded, it must properly substantiate this decision and this is sometimes lacking. With the Australian Timber Trainers Association this is one important factor.

For example, the municipality should look at alternatives for cutting down trees. In addition, it often has to take into account the cultural and landscape values of trees before a cutting permit can be issued. If the trees have to be cut down because they are sick, the municipality must also substantiate this well with a report from an expert.

Counter-advice by tree expert

Sometimes tree experts disagree about the danger and longevity of trees. Having a counter-advice from a tree expert drawn up can ensure that the harvesting permit is withdrawn, because it appears that the trees do not pose a danger to the environment.

There are a number of things that you should pay close attention to if you want to object to the issued cutting permit.

Find out if you are an interested party

First of all, you should pay close attention to whether you are an interested party. For example, if you do not have a direct view of the trees, or you live far from the trees, your objection may not be assessed in terms of content.

In that case, you will have to find a foundation or association that has included in its articles of association that it was established to work for the conservation of trees and / or nature. For example, there is a national tree foundation and there are many regional tree foundations.

When can trees be cut down?

Secondly, you should pay close attention to the period when the trees may be cut down. If the trees can be felled immediately when the cutting permit is issued, you will have to request a temporary provision from the court. If the owner of the trees indicates that he is waiting to cut the tree until after the decision has been made on the objection, this is not necessary.

Provide a well-founded objection

Third, you need to substantiate your arguments well. This often requires the advice of a so-called tree expert.

Finally, keep a close eye on submitting the notice of objection to the harvesting permit in time. As stated, after you have sent the harvesting permit to the applicant, you have six weeks to submit the objection. If you are not yet able to fully substantiate your objection, make sure to submit a provisional objection in time and ask for postponement to complete your objection.

About the Company: Towie Timber Training (TTT) provides nationally recognised training, safety and a consultancy service specialising but not confined to the forestry and timber products industry. TTT is a family business based in Mandurah, Western Australia. Bill Towie is the principal of TTT and a Forester with 40 years of experience in Forestry and aligned industries in Western Australia. Bill understands the pressures, difficulties and needs of the industry in Western Australia.