Preliminary Arboricultural Assessments and Development Constraints Reports

 

Identify important trees, root-zone constraints and development opportunities before architectural plans are finalised.

Trees can significantly influence the layout, access, excavation requirements and construction methodology of a proposed development.

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A Preliminary Arboricultural Assessment provides property owners, architects, designers and developers with early information about the trees located on and around a site.

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This allows tree-related constraints to be considered during concept design rather than discovered after plans have been completed.

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Why Assess Trees Before Designing?

 

Early arboricultural advice can help avoid:

• Unnecessary root-zone encroachments

• Council requests for major redesign

• Conflicts with neighbouring trees

• Unsuitable driveway or crossover locations

• Service trenches through important root zones

• Complex construction requirements

• Delays during the planning process

• Additional consultant costs

• Loss of usable development area

 

The earlier the assessment is completed, the more opportunity the project team has to develop a responsive and practical design.

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What Does the Assessment Include?

 

Depending on the site, the assessment may include:

• Tree identification and numbering

• Botanical and common names

• Tree dimensions

• Trunk measurements

• Health and structural condition

• Age and maturity

• Useful life expectancy

• Retention value

• Preliminary root-zone calculations

• Structural root-zone calculations

• Development constraint areas

• Preliminary retention and removal advice

• Assessment of neighbouring trees

• Assessment of Council street trees

• Tree-location or constraints plan

• Early design recommendations

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Trees Outside the Property

 

Trees on neighbouring land and Council property may affect a development even where their trunks are outside the subject site.

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Roots and canopies do not follow title boundaries.

The assessment may therefore consider:

• Neighbouring tree root zones

• Council street trees

• Overhanging canopies

• Boundary excavation

• New crossovers

• Retaining walls

• Service trenches

• Construction access

• Potential pruning requirements

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Suitable for Property Purchasers

 

A preliminary tree assessment can also assist a prospective purchaser who intends to develop, renovate or extend a property.

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The assessment can identify whether established trees may:

• Restrict the preferred building footprint

• Affect basement feasibility

• Limit excavation near boundaries

• Influence driveway access

• Require specialist construction

• Be subject to planning controls

• Require protection during future works

 

This assessment does not replace planning, engineering or legal advice, but it can identify important arboricultural constraints before substantial design costs are incurred.

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What Happens Next?

 

Once concept plans have been prepared, ArborSolve can review the proposal and prepare an Arboricultural Impact Assessment.

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The recommended process is:

1. Inspect and assess the trees.

2. Identify arboricultural constraints.

3. Prepare a responsive concept design.

4. Calculate the proposed impacts.

5. Finalise planning documentation.

6. Establish construction-stage tree protection.

 

Arrange a Preliminary Assessment

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Send us the property address and feature survey, if available.

Include a short explanation of the development being considered and whether design work has commenced.

 

Call or SMS Corey Martin on 0403 693 674

Email corey@arborsolve.net.au​

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