Arboricultural Impact Assessment (AIA)
An arboricultural impact assessment (AIA) is a detailed and comprehensive report that reflects the potential impacts of development on trees within and adjacent to a proposed development site.
The assessment provides detailed information on the impact of building, infrastructure, stormwater drainage, and landscape construction on the trees within and adjacent to the proposed footprint. The arboricultural impact assessment will identify any trees that may need to be removed and trees that can be successfully retained. Information for each individual tree:
- Identification - Allocated number and botanical name.
- Dimensions - Tree height, canopy spread, and trunk diameter at breast height (DBH)
- Condition - Tree health, structure, and age class.
- Significance - Tree significance, useful life expectancy, and priority for retention.
- Protection zones - Tree protection zone (TPZ) and structural root zone (SRZ).
- Impacts - Any conflict between the development footprint and the tree protection zone.
The arboricultural impact assessment report will include recommendations for site-specific tree-sensitive construction methods and other measures that may mitigate the likely impacts of the works. Our reports include two (2) sets of professional drawings prepared using ArcGIS or AutoCAD software. The first set of drawings displays the identifying number and location of each tree, the extent of the tree protection zone (TPZ), and structural root zone (SRZ) and will be colour-coded to reflect any conflict between the development footprint and the protection zone of each individual tree (no encroachment, minor encroachment, major encroachment). The second set of drawings provides details of tree protection. These plans comprise colour-coded diagrams showing which trees are proposed to be retained and removed, the location and type of tree protection that is required, and any site-specific tree protection mitigations.
Frequently Asked Questions
An arboricultural impact assessment is a detailed and comprehensive report that reflects the potential impacts of a development on trees within and adjacent to a proposed development site. The arboricultural impact assessment report should follow and incorporate the data from the Preliminary Tree Assessment.
An arboricultural impact assessment can be prepared once the architectural, services, survey and landscape plans have been finalised. It is only once these plans have been finalised that an accurate assessment of impacts can be calculated.
An arboricultural impact assessment should accompany the development application (DA) to be lodged with the consent authority providing an accurate, concise assessment of likely tree retention. If a development application (DA) is submitted without an arboricultural impact assessment the consent authority may decline the application causing unnecessary delays and frustration.
An arboricultural impact assessment provides a detailed assessment of the impact of building, infrastructure, storm water drainage and landscape construction on the trees within the proposed development site. It contains detailed plans and information on trees that will be removed or retained and protected throughout the development project.
General information for each individual tree should include: a tree number, botanical name, height, canopy spread, age class, tree significance, useful life expectancy, priority for retention, trunk diameter at breast height (DBH), tree protection zone (TPZ), structural root zone (SRZ), any conflict between the development footprint and the tree protection zone.
The arboricultural impact assessment should also include a tree protection plan prepared using CAD or ArcGIS software. The tree location plan will show the number and location of each tree, the extent of the tree protection zone and should be colour coded to reflect any conflict between the development footprint and the tree protection zone of each individual tree (no conflict, low, medium or high conflict). This is also referred to as the level of encroachment within the tree protection (minor encroachment, major encroachment). The tree protection plan may also include the locations for tree protection fencing, ground protection and other tree protection measures.
Tree Survey will carry out the site inspection and prepare the arboricultural impact assessment within 14 days following acceptance of the quote. This time frame can be reduced to 7 days (priority service) for a +25% increase in the quoted fee.
Tree Survey provide practical, cost effective and reliable arboricultural impact assessments for a variety of organisations, institutions, and landowners. Previous project experience includes NorthConnex, Parramatta Light Rail, M4-M5 Tunnel Link, TfNSW Easy Access Station Upgrades, North Strathfield Rail Underpass and Northern Beaches B-Line project.
Tree Survey specialise in arboricultural impact assessments for residential developments, subdivisions and cluster subdivisions. Tree Survey utilise the latest technology in data capture, DGPS, GNSS and ArcGIS mapping software to deliver all our projects with maximum efficiency and accuracy.