Development Arborist Reports Canterbury-Bankstown
AQF Level 5 Arborists for Development Applications, Arboricultural Impact Assessments and construction compliance.
Canterbury-Bankstown Tree Permit Services prepares Council-ready Development Arborist Reports and Arboricultural Impact Assessments for residential, commercial, industrial and infrastructure developments throughout the Canterbury-Bankstown Local Government Area.
Where proposed works may affect existing trees, Council may require arboricultural information addressing tree condition, retention and development impacts, together with tree protection measures. Already have plans or a Council request? Send them to us and we will identify the arboricultural assessment required and provide a clear quote before you proceed.
- AQF Level 5 Consulting Arborists
- 32+ years arboricultural experience
- Council-ready documentation
- Fast-track reporting available
Do I need an arborist report for my development?
An arborist report may be required in any of the following circumstances.
- Existing trees may be affected by the proposed development
- Neighbouring trees have protection zones extending into the property
- Street or Council trees may be affected
- Building footprints occur near existing trees
- Excavation or basement construction may affect roots
- Driveways, retaining walls or services interact with tree protection areas
- Tree removal or significant pruning forms part of the DA
- Council has requested arboricultural information
If you have received a Request for Information or a Council request for an arborist report, send us the correspondence and your latest plans.
What is an Arboricultural Impact Assessment?
An Arboricultural Impact Assessment evaluates how proposed works may affect existing trees and how suitable trees can be retained and protected. The completed AIA provides Council with arboricultural information to assess the relationship between the proposed development and existing trees.
A typical AIA addresses
- Tree survey and identification
- Tree health, condition and structure
- Tree retention value
- Notional Root Zones
- Tree Protection Zones
- Structural Root Zones
- Development impacts
- Tree retention or removal recommendations
- Tree protection and construction management measures
What does Council expect in an AIA?
Canterbury-Bankstown Council publishes specific requirements for AIAs submitted with a Development Application or requested by Council. Depending on the site and proposal, these can include tree survey and assessment, NRZ, TPZ and SRZ information, development impacts, tree retention or removal recommendations, wildlife habitat, tree-hazard considerations, tree protection measures, supporting evidence and replacement planting.
Council also publishes specific expectations for tree-assessment methodology and AIA content, including its use of Tree AZ for development-site tree assessment. Council notes that its requirements are not exhaustive and additional site-specific information may be required.
When should I engage an arborist?
Ideally, involve an arborist before the development design is completely finalised. Identifying tree constraints before architectural and engineering drawings are locked in can reduce redesign and Requests for Information later.
Early assessment can identify
- Trees suitable for retention
- NRZ, TPZ and SRZ constraints
- Building, driveway and excavation conflicts
- Potential root investigations
- Likely tree removal
- Tree-sensitive design opportunities
From Development Application to construction compliance
Assess
Survey existing trees and identify condition, retention value and development constraints.
Report
Prepare the Development Arborist Report or AIA against the proposed plans.
Protect
Establish tree protection requirements and investigate roots where necessary.
Certify
Provide Project Arborist inspections, compliance reporting and certification where required by Development Consent.
Development projects we support
Residential development
New homes, knockdown rebuilds, duplexes, townhouses, multi-dwelling housing, apartments and subdivisions.
Commercial and industrial
Commercial buildings, warehouses, industrial facilities, logistics, mixed-use development and industrial subdivisions.
Community and infrastructure
Childcare centres, schools, community facilities, roads and infrastructure projects.
Tree root investigation where design conflicts exist
Where excavation or construction enters a sensitive part of a retained tree's root zone, above-ground assessment may not establish the location of significant roots. Non-destructive root investigation can provide direct evidence to assist arborists, architects and engineers in assessing impacts and considering design options.
Why choose us for development work
- AQF Level 5 Consulting Arborists for development-related reporting
- 32+ years of practical consulting and tree-management experience
- Council-ready AIAs prepared against Council’s published requirements
- Residential, commercial, industrial and infrastructure projects
- AirSpade investigation and root mapping where required
- Project Arborist and tree-protection services following approval
- Fast-track available where scheduling permits
We can liaise directly with your architect, engineer, planner or certifier.
Frequently asked questions
If your question is not here, send us the details and we will tell you what applies.
Do I need an arborist report for every Canterbury-Bankstown Development Application?
No. An arborist report may be required where proposed works may affect existing trees on, adjoining or near the development site.
Is a Development Arborist Report the same as an AIA?
A Development Arborist Report is a broad term. Where the purpose is to assess how proposed development may affect existing trees, the report is commonly prepared as an Arboricultural Impact Assessment.
Does Canterbury-Bankstown Council require AQF Level 5?
Council states that Arboricultural Impact Assessment reports should be prepared by appropriately qualified Consulting Arborists with a minimum AQF Level 5 qualification in Arboriculture.
What tree protection standard does Canterbury-Bankstown Council use?
Council currently states that development tree-protection conditions are made in accordance with AS 4970-2025, Protection of trees on development sites.
When should I get the arborist involved?
Ideally before the design is completely finalised, where existing trees may influence the development.
What if Council has requested more arboricultural information?
Send us the Request for Information and your current plans. We can review what Council has requested and identify the arboricultural assessment required.
Development arborist reports throughout Canterbury-Bankstown
We prepare development arboricultural documentation across all five wards.
Darani / Bankstown Ward
Bankstown, Chullora, Greenacre, Mount Lewis and part of Punchbowl.
Bura / Bass Hill Ward
Bass Hill, Birrong, Chester Hill, Condell Park, Georges Hall, Lansdowne, Potts Hill, Regents Park, Sefton, Villawood and Yagoona.
Budjar / Canterbury Ward
Ashbury, Belfield, Campsie, Canterbury, Clemton Park, Croydon Park, Earlwood and Hurlstone Park.
Bunya / Revesby Ward
East Hills, Milperra, Padstow, Padstow Heights, Panania, Picnic Point, Revesby and Revesby Heights.
Bunmarra / Roselands Ward
Belmore, Beverly Hills, Kingsgrove, Lakemba, Narwee, Riverwood, Roselands, Wiley Park and part of Punchbowl.
Official Council sources
- Canterbury-Bankstown Council, Trees and Development
Official Council information about trees affected by development, including AIA expectations.
Official source links checked 3 September 2026.
Related pages
Council information last verified 3 September 2026. Requirements can change, so confirm with Canterbury-Bankstown Council for property-specific advice.
Not sure which arborist report you need?
Send us your plans, Council correspondence or photographs of the tree. Our AQF Level 5 Consulting Arborists can identify the appropriate assessment, explain the next step and provide a fixed quote before work begins.