Planning Reports 

Our planning reports ensure that your development projects align with the Australian Standard AS 4970-2009: Protection of Trees on Development Sites.

Due Diligence Reporting

A Due Diligence Report helps property buyers and developers identify tree-related constraints and opportunities before finalising a purchase. This report provides:

• A brief summary of existing trees on or near the property
• A basic site map marking tree locations
• Identification of any relevant local council regulations or policy conflicts
• Recommendations for tree management and potential development considerations

Planning Application Reports

Planning reports are essential for securing approvals from local councils and ensuring compliance with Australian Standard AS 4970-2009. These include: 

• Preliminary Tree Assessment

A Preliminary Tree Assessment is conducted at the beginning of a project after the site survey. This initial assessment forms the foundation of our planning reports. It evaluates the health, structure, and overall condition of trees on or near the development site.

The findings help identify which trees are suitable for retention and guide early-stage planning decisions.

This report provides:

• Location & Origin
• Genus & Species
• Common Name
• Height & Canopy Width
• Arboricultural Rating
• Useful Life Expectancy (ULE)
• Retention Value
• Health & Structural Integrity
• Tree Protection Zone (TPZ) & Structural Root Zone (SRZ)
• Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) / Trunk Circumference
• A site map with tree identification labels

• Impact Assessment

Impact assessments build on the preliminary report, focusing on how proposed designs will affect existing vegetation.

This includes calculating Tree Protection Zone (TPZ) encroachments, assessing root impacts, and providing recommendations for tree management.

Where necessary, we outline basic protection measures to ensure retained trees thrive during and after construction.

Key aspects include: 

• Expands on the Preliminary Tree Assessment
• Calculates Tree Protection Zone (TPZ) encroachments
• Assesses potential impacts of development on retained trees
• Provides recommendations for mitigation and tree protection
• Includes basic tree protection measures compliant with AS 4970

Tree Protection Management Plans (TPMPs)

For projects requiring council approval, our TPMPs offer detailed guidance on tree preservation.

These plans outline measures to protect trees before, during, and after construction, including timelines for project arborist supervision, written updates, and logbook requirements.

Compliance with these plans is often essential for obtaining permits for a successful project outcome.

The plan includes:

• Tree protection requirements before, during, and after construction
• Site-specific protective measures
• Project arborist responsibilities and site inspection schedule
• Compliance with AS4970:2009 Protection of Trees on Development Sites

Typical protection measures include:

• No heavy machinery in Tree Protection Zones
• No soil removal or trenching
• No storage of materials within protected areas
• Supervised tree protection enforcement by the project arborist