Port councillors agreed last Tuesday night to push ahead with the proposed changes despite receiving 14 submissions - all objections - during its public exhibition period.

It means that, for the next 12 months, residents are exempt from a need to gain pre-approval for the removal or pruning of trees that pose a direct threat to human life or property and where the height exceeds 3 metres.

Port Greens secretary Nigel Waters said the council decision effectively invited a "free for all" which could lead to the loss of many mature trees without good cause.

"No professional advice or assessment is required, which means that landowners may inadvertently remove trees which remain protected by other legislation, exposing them to prosecution," he said.

"We question the credibility of the supposed safeguard as there is no definition of [a] 'direct threat'. Any tree could potentially pose a risk."

The 14 objections to the changes cited concerns regarding abuse of the policy, and the potential for unsafe practices by property owners.

"Tree removal notifications are still required within 10 working days of removal of trees where pre-approval has not been obtained and must include justification of the direct threat," the council's strategy and environment manager Tim Crosdale said.

The policy amendment was proposed by mayor Bruce MacKenzie in the wake of the April 21 storms, where a number of Port Stephens homes and properties were damaged by falling and uprooted trees.

Cr MacKenzie said that he believed the people of Port Stephens would do the right thing.

"I don't believe home owners will start cutting down trees willy nilly ... for starters, it's very expensive."