What we do · Victoria
One standard of evidence across every service.
Arbor Survey covers the arboricultural work a site needs, from the assessment that accompanies a planning application to the diagnostics that identify what is wrong internally or below ground. Whatever the job, the standard is the same: assessments that can be relied on through planning, at VCAT, and on-site.
How the work breaks down
Two ways to find the right service
Most of our work follows the life of a development, from early feasibility through to final tree protection sign-off. The rest sits outside that cycle: risk, valuation, diagnostics, mapping and Council-level advisory work for site managers, asset owners, legal practitioners and Councils. Find your service below, or seehow each report fits a project timeline.
Through the life of a development
From feasibility to final certificate
Three services carry a development from start to finish. Together, they cover six stages of work, and most sites need more than one.
Development and construction
The heart of our commercial work. We assess what a development does to its trees, set the protection construction must work around, and stay involved through construction to sign off. This service spans four of the six stages: impact, protection, supervision and certification.
- Arboricultural Impact Assessment (AIA)
- Construction Impact Assessment (CIA)
- Tree Protection Plan (TPP) and Specification (TPS)
- Stage 1 to 5 supervision certifications
Planning and permits
Getting trees through the planning system. We read overlays, significant landscape controls and Local Laws the way the Council will, answer permit conditions, and support an application from lodgement to decision.
- Planning overlay and control advice (VPO, ESO, SLO, CL52.37)
- Local Law tree-removal reviews
- Permit-condition responses
- Council liaison
Independent review and expert evidence
Independent expert opinion, from a second opinion on another arborist's report or a review of a permit application, through to expert evidence at VCAT. For private clients and Councils alike. Our principal has appeared at VCAT more than 45 times since 2004, to the standard the Tribunal expects.
- Independent review & second opinion
- Permit-application review for Councils
- VCAT expert evidence statements
- Joint expert reports and disputes
Specialist and standalone work
Work outside the development cycle
Not every job is tied to a build or construction project. This work stands on its own, for asset owners, body corporates, legal practitioners and Councils.
Tree risk assessment
Defensible risk ratings for the people who carry the duty of care over trees.
- TRAQ, QTRA, VALID and AANZAA-Risk assessments
- Risk-based inspection programs
- Tree audits with risk ratings
Tree assessment and valuation
What a tree is worth and what condition it is in, with figures that stand up when challenged.
- Arboricultural Condition Reports (retention priorities)
- Tree valuations, seven recognised methods
- Loss-and-damage assessments
Investigation and diagnostics
Looking inside the tree and below ground, not just at the surface. We scope the investigation, bring in the right specialist, and interpret the result.
- Non-destructive root investigation (NDRI)
- Resistograph and Sonic Tomography
- Pest and disease diagnosis
GIS mapping and data collection
Tree inventories and spatial data, collected and mapped in-house. Built for Councils managing tree assets and commercial clients mapping large sites.
- Tree inventories and asset data
- Field survey and vegetation mapping
- Spatial datasets for handover
Advisory
Strategy and advisory for Councils and organisations
Higher-level work beyond a single site: tree policy, procedure and strategy for Local Government and for organisations managing large tree populations.
Strategy and advisory
Strategic tree policy and procedure development for Councils and organisations that need expert input above the level of one tree or one site.
- Tree policy & procedure
- Strategy development
- Expert advice to Councils
The full list
Other reports we prepare
Specialist reports beyond the core services, prepared to the same standard. Hover or tap one to see what it covers.
Not sure which service you need?
Tell us about the site, the trees, and what you are planning. We will point you to the right service and tell you what is involved.
Discuss your project