Tree Protection Plans Canterbury-Bankstown

What is a Tree Protection Plan?

A Tree Protection Plan is a site-specific arboricultural document showing how trees identified for retention will be protected during development and construction. It may identify retained trees, Tree Protection Zones, Structural Root Zones, protection fencing and signage, ground, trunk or branch protection where required, approved access and exclusion areas, excavation and service controls, and arboricultural inspection or hold points.

Tree Protection Plans are commonly prepared following a Development Arborist Report or Arboricultural Impact Assessment and may form part of Development Application documentation or a condition of Development Consent. The purpose is to convert arboricultural recommendations into practical protection measures that can be understood and implemented on site.

When is one required?

A TPP may be required where demolition, excavation, construction, access or service installation could affect trees that are to be retained. This commonly occurs where proposed works are within or near a Tree Protection Zone or Structural Root Zone.

A Tree Protection Plan may be prepared during Development Application assessment, in response to Council requirements, following Development Consent, before demolition or construction, or where approved tree-protection measures need to be documented for the project team.

Where tree protection is a condition of consent, the plan should be prepared early enough for the required measures to be installed before the relevant site works begin.

Tree Protection Zones and Structural Root Zones

The Tree Protection Zone provides an area intended to protect the tree and its growing environment during development. The Structural Root Zone relates particularly to the roots important to tree stability. A Tree Protection Plan can show these areas in relation to the proposed development and identify the protection measures required during construction.

Where proposed works interact with these areas, additional arboricultural assessment, construction controls or investigation may be required. If root location cannot be determined accurately from above ground, non-destructive root investigation may provide more detailed information.

Tree protection during construction and AS 4970-2025

Construction can damage retained trees through excavation, trenching, vehicle movement, material storage, changes to soil levels, service installation, concrete washout, heavy machinery and root damage.

Canterbury-Bankstown Council identifies fenced Tree Protection Zones as its preferred form of tree protection. Its standard conditions typically restrict vehicle access, excavation and installation of services within the fenced protection area. Utility services, pipes, stormwater lines and pits, together with building materials, chemical storage, site sheds, washout areas and waste material, are also generally required to remain outside the fenced area.

Where conventional fencing is not practical and alternative ground, trunk or branch protection is required, Council states that an AQF Level 5 Consulting Arborist will usually be required to design the protection measures or supervise their implementation and maintenance. Council's current development guidance references AS 4970-2025, Protection of trees on development sites.