Arboricultural Impact
Assessment

What is an Arboricultural Impact Assessment?

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.

What documents or information need to be provided to the Arboricultural Consultant?

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.

When is an Arboricultural Impact Assessment required?

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.

What sort of information is included within an Arboricultural Impact Assessment?

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.

How much does an Arboricultural Impact Assessment cost?

The cost of an arboricultural impact assessment is variable depending on specific conditions and requirements of the site. Generally, an arboricultural impact assessment will start around $1200 + GST for an average residential site. For larger sites, the cost will start at around $2400 + GST for an assessment and report for up to 120 trees. On average, Tree Survey can map and tag up to 120 trees per day at the cost of $1200 + GST (this equates to approximately $10 per tree).

How long does it take to prepare an Arboricultural Impact Assessment?

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.

How experienced are Tree Survey in Arboricultural Impact Assessments?

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.