RTF5018A Assess Trees

1. Determine tree survey program requirements

Performance Criteria

1. Scope of survey is identified in line with client needs.

2. All current data relevant to survey requirements is identified, sourced and recorded according to enterprise guidelines.

3. Processes for data capture are identified in line with budgetary constraints.

4. Equipment for tree assessment is checked and prepared for use.

Scoping the Survey

• Why define the scope?– Cost– Methodology– Time requirements– Resources necessary– Limit the project to fixed requirements– Avoid conflict over ‘creep’ of survey– Meet statutory requirements

Types of surveys

• Single trees for residential properties

• Development applications• Risk management for

properties with lots of trees and users

• Environmental condition of sites prior to mining

• Heritage assessment• Compensation and

economic loss

• Aboriginality/cultural heritage

• Bushfire risk• Planning for regeneration• Verification of contractual

requirements

Defining the scope

• Local government regulations– LEP’s and DCP’s

• Time frame for survey and report writing

• Legal access to construction sites

• Documentation to assist in survey

• What will not be included

• Copyright and intellectual property rights

• Methods and equipment used

• Costs• Format of reports and

number of copies

Residential surveys

Residential surveys

• Manage risk

• Client usually seeks professional advice to protect themselves or to remove a tree they believe is hazardous

• Owner of the property usually has a good historical knowledge

• Often emotive reasons and fears involved

Scoping a residential survey

• What do you need to define?

• Cost• Number of trees for that cost• Information to collect relating to local

government regulations • TPO’s , LEPand arborist report guidelines• Site information• Aerial inspection?• Boundaries and services• Availability of relevant information• Intention of the report and its audience

Development site surveys

FROM THIS …

To THIS!!!

Scoping surveys for development sites

• Site location• Scale of survey – a few trees to thousands• Degree of detail required• Level of documentation required• Timelines and what degree of documentation

has been developed• Accessibility• Client – small or large, government or private

Documentation required

• Survey of existing site in detail with all trees shown on site

• Concept plans showing building layout, road and parking design

• Sections and elevations• Drainage plans• Earthworks plans (CC stage generally)• Landscape Concept plans• Environmental and geotechnical reports

Other documentation

• Conditions required by Council if DA has been lodged initially

• Client’s brief where no Council requirements have been provided or where the clients requirements are not normal practice

• Information on the users of the site and any legal issues relating to the development

Assessing risks & developing management plans

• Purpose of the report• Possible legal

ramifications of the survey and report

• Extent of the survey on the site

• What methods will be applied?

• Budget of client

• Time frames for completion/staging

• Human resources• Physical resources• Length of risk

assessment cycle.

Determining heritage values

• Extent of survey in relation to heritage plan development

• Historic Data available

• Budget of client

• Purpose of survey

• Where is the information likely to end up?

• Cultural or natural heritage survey

Tree valuation survey

• Tree owner’s reasons for survey

• Budget and costs

• Method of survey required

• Availability of accurate parameters and historical information

• Data on frequency of use of the site

Cultural significance

• Generally sensitive to minority groups