Arborist reports for development sites
When trees stand on or next to a site you're building on, the council wants to know which can stay, which must go, and how the ones that stay will be protected while the work happens. That is what a development-site arborist report does, to the Australian Standard councils reference: AS 4970:2025, Protection of trees on development sites.
What the report covers
- Every tree on the site, and neighbouring trees whose protection zones reach into it: species, size, health, structure and value, with a numbered site plan.
- The tree protection zone (TPZ) and structural root zone (SRZ) of each tree, and how much of each the proposed works would encroach on.
- Which trees can be retained, which should be removed, and which need a closer look (root mapping, for example) before a decision.
- Protection measures for the retained trees: fencing, ground protection, no-go areas, pruning for clearance, supervision of works near roots.
Who it's for
Homeowners lodging a DA for an extension, pool or new house; builders and landscapers; strata schemes planning works; and architects and planners who need the tree assessment early enough to shape the design rather than fight it later.
Then the work
Once the consent is issued, the same company can carry out the approved removals and pruning, install the protection fencing the conditions call for, and come back for the clearance pruning or inspections the consent requires. Our crews carry the inductions construction, rail and airport clients require.
Source: AS 4970:2025, Standards Australia.
Questions people ask us
What is AS 4970?
AS 4970:2025 Protection of trees on development sites, the Australian Standard councils reference for trees on and around building sites. It sets out tree protection zones (TPZ) and structural root zones (SRZ) and the measures to protect retained trees during construction. The 2025 edition replaced the 2009 edition in May 2025.
Do you also remove the trees the DA approves?
Yes. One company from the report to the approved removals, pruning and protection fencing, with the inductions and insurance builders require.
Do neighbours' trees count?
Yes. Trees on neighbouring land whose protection zones extend into the site are assessed too, and councils expect them to be protected.
Building near trees?
Send the site address and a plan if you have one. We'll scope the report and quote it.