Arboricultural Impact Assessments Melbourne

 

Professional Arboricultural Impact Assessments for planning applications, residential developments, subdivisions and construction projects across Melbourne.

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An Arboricultural Impact Assessment, commonly referred to as an AIA, evaluates how a proposed development may affect trees located on the subject property, neighbouring land or Council-managed areas.

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ArborSolve prepares detailed and practical assessments that identify potential conflicts, calculate proposed root-zone impacts and determine whether trees can reasonably be retained.

 

When Is an Arboricultural Impact Assessment Required?

 

An AIA may be required where:

• A planning application involves existing trees

• Buildings or driveways are proposed near trees

• Excavation may occur within tree root zones

• Trees are proposed for removal as part of a development

• Neighbouring trees may be affected

• Council street trees are located near proposed access

• A subdivision or multi-dwelling development is proposed

• Council has requested additional arboricultural information

• A planning permit requires an impact assessment

• Existing plans need to be reviewed for tree-related conflicts

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What Does an AIA Include?

 

Depending on the site and proposal, the assessment may include:

• Tree identification and numbering

• Species and dimensions

• Trunk measurements

• Health and structural condition

• Age class and maturity

• Useful life expectancy

• Retention value

• Tree photographs

• Notional Root Zone calculations

• Structural Root Zone calculations

• Review of proposed buildings and works

• Root-zone encroachment calculations

• Assessment of direct and indirect impacts

• Retention and removal recommendations

• Design and construction recommendations

• Tree Protection Plan requirements

• Project Arborist hold points

• Supporting impact plans

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Assessing Development Impacts

 

The assessment considers the relationship between each tree and the proposed works, including:

• Building foundations

• Basements

• Driveways and crossovers

• Retaining walls

• Service trenches

• Drainage infrastructure

• Demolition

• Site access

• Changes in soil level

• Temporary construction areas

• Landscaping and paving

 

Development impacts are assessed with reference to AS 4970:2025, Protection of trees on development sites, including applicable amendments.

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An encroachment percentage is not considered in isolation. Its location, depth, relationship with the structural root area, existing site conditions, tree condition and proposed construction method must also be evaluated.

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Practical Design Recommendations

 

Where a conflict is identified, recommendations may include:

• Moving or reducing the building footprint

• Increasing setbacks

• Relocating driveways or services

• Reducing excavation depth

• Using pier-and-beam foundations

• Using screw piles

• Bridging over root zones

• Undertaking non-destructive root investigation

• Installing ground protection

• Restricting construction access

• Arborist-supervised excavation

• Selective root pruning

• Project Arborist monitoring

 

Our aim is to identify realistic solutions that can be understood and implemented by the project team.

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Information Required

 

For an accurate assessment, please provide:

• Current feature and level survey

• Proposed site plan

• Floor plans and elevations

• Demolition plan

• Landscape plan, where available

• Civil and drainage plans, where available

• Council correspondence

• Previous Arborist Reports

 

Plans should be provided as clear, scaled PDF documents wherever possible.

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Request an Arboricultural Impact Assessment

 

Send us the property address and available development plans.

We will review the information and confirm the appropriate assessment scope, cost and turnaround.

 

Call or SMS Corey Martin on 0403 693 674

Email corey@arborsolve.net.au​

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