Site set up (including tree protection)

1.0Overview 2.0Site planning 3.0Tree protection 4.0Tree damage 5.0Tree protection zones (TPZs)6.0Council's standard tree protection conditions 7.0Positioning guidance for tree protection 8.0Equal access 9.0Standards 10.0Technical drawings 11.0Specifications

Tree protection

Guidance on tree protection

Tree protection involves safeguarding trees from damage during construction, development, or urban planning to maintain their long-term health and structural integrity.

Planning for tree protection

See AS 4970: Protection of trees on development sites for detailed tree protection strategies and guidance.

See Table 1: Tree protection planning, which outlines the required stages of tree protection for a standard Sunshine Coast Council project.

Table 1: Tree protection planning

Project stage	Tree protection recommendations
Survey	Accurate plotting of all existing trees.
Preliminary tree assessment for early identification of important trees	Project arborist evaluation of existing trees to identify and report on specimens suitable for retention. TPZs (Tree protection zones) should be calculated at this time as they will be indicative of setbacks required.
Preliminary design development	Project arborist review of preliminary plans/concepts to determine development impact on trees. Design modifications to minimise impacts should be suggested at this time.
Development of design detail and approval of design	Designer to ensure all detail relevant to trees is shown (to scale) on plans including levels, batters and locations of services. Project arborist to develop a tree protection management plan or specific tree protection conditions. See LIM Site set up – section 7.0 SCC Standard tree protection conditions.
Pre-construction and pre-start meeting	TPZs to be formally established and fenced where necessary. Any protective tree maintenance works to be undertaken prior to works commencement. Responsible officer/contractor to brief workers in tree protection requirements at a pre-start meeting.
Construction phase	Project arborist to supervise works where necessary and monitor TPZs throughout duration (especially during excavation). TPZs to remain in place until project completion.
Post construction	Project arborist certification of tree condition.

^{Source: AS 4970 – Protection of trees on development sites.}

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Disclaimer

Information contained in this document may change without notice and you should use the current material available from Council’s website and not rely on material previously printed or stored by you.

All figures and diagrams are intended to be used as an aid to design and include Council’s preferred elements but they are not intended to be prescriptive and may need to be varied as dictated by site specific factors. While Council has exercised reasonable care in preparing this document, it does not warrant or represent that it is accurate or complete. The Council will not accept responsibility for any loss, damage, cost or expense that you may incur as a result of the use of or reliance upon any material contained in this document.

This document is produced to convey general information and is not intended to constitute advice whether professional or legal. Any reference to legislation in this document is not an interpretation of the law. It is to be used as a guide only. Consult relevant authority websites for current documents, revisions and amendments.

Where a particular product or supplier is profiled in this document, Council is NOT nominating this product or supplier as the selected choice. Product/supplier information has been provided to allow users to source products which contain the correct elements required for Council embellishments. Each product profiled states ‘or equivalent’ which means that different products may be supplied provided they satisfy the identified performance criteria, recommended standards, equal access guidance and product specifications.

Product design, manufacture and installation requires appropriately qualified people to provide site specific solutions to ensure the embellishment is appropriately adapted to local conditions and data.

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Drawings contained in this document are NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION.

Details in this document are deemed to be the minimum standard and the user may wish to apply a higher standard subject to approval by council.

Acknowledgements

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