If you are in a declared fire prone area you can remove trees with out council permission if they are within 10 meters of the home and you can clear shrub if you back onto bushland with in 30mters or 50 mtrs unsure which exact figure and up to 8 mtrs in height.
As for trimming tree The Hills...
I have put applications to Hills Shire in the past and they dont just approve health trees to be cut down. I have had to have a good reason. Dont believe you need permission for conifers but best to ring them and get 100% clearance as fines are $3000+ per tree. Do you fall in the new 10/50 law?
