Preliminary Arboricultural Assessment Sydney
Early Tree Constraint Assessments for Development Planning
A Preliminary Arboricultural Assessment identifies tree constraints before detailed design begins, helping your architect or designer understand which trees may affect the proposed building footprint, access, setbacks and site layout.
- AQF Level 5, QTRA and TRAQ qualified Consulting Arborists
- 32+ years' consulting experience
- Early-stage advice that reduces redesign risk
- Fast-track service available
Need Tree Advice Before You Finalise Your Development Design?
Unlike a DA Tree Impact Assessment (AIA), which assesses the impact of proposed plans, a Preliminary Arboricultural Assessment helps inform those plans before they're finalised.
Arbor Express prepares Preliminary Arboricultural Assessments for sites throughout Sydney, carried out by AQF Level 5, QTRA and TRAQ qualified Consulting Arborists with 32+ years' experience.
Not sure whether this is the right starting point for your project? See our Tree Reports Sydney guide for how each report fits your project stage.
When Should You Get a Preliminary Assessment?
A Preliminary Arboricultural Assessment is well suited to the situations listed.
If you're assessing whether a site can accommodate your proposed development, or deciding whether to purchase a property at all, this gives you that clarity before you invest in detailed plans.
- Site feasibility studies
- Property due diligence before purchase
- Concept design
- Knockdown rebuilds, duplex and townhouse developments
- Commercial developments and subdivisions
What Does the Assessment Include?
This is an early planning assessment, not a detailed assessment of proposed plans. Once the design is developed, a DA Tree Impact Assessment (AIA) may be required for the Development Application.
- Trees on and adjoining the site
- Species, dimensions, health and general condition
- Preliminary tree retention value
- Tree Protection Zone considerations
- Tree constraints affecting the proposed development
- Opportunities for tree retention
- High-level recommendations for site layout and concept design
Why Obtain Arboricultural Advice Early?
Engaging an arborist before design begins, rather than after, consistently produces better outcomes.
Identifying a tree constraint during concept design allows it to be considered as part of the design; identifying the same constraint after plans are finalised can result in redesign, additional consultant work and planning delays.
- Identifies tree constraints before design work begins
- Reduces the risk of costly redesigns later
- Improves opportunities for tree retention
- Supports better planning and site layout decisions
- Gives architects and designers clear information to design around
Preliminary Assessment vs DA Tree Impact Assessment
Most projects that need one will eventually need the other.
Our Process
- 1Consultation: we discuss your site and the stage of your project, so we understand what your assessment needs to inform.
- 2Site inspection: by an AQF Level 5 Consulting Arborist, to identify and assess trees on and around the site.
- 3Constraint identification: we identify how existing and adjoining trees may influence building envelopes, access, setbacks and the overall site layout before detailed design begins.
- 4Planning recommendations: high-level advice to guide your architect or designer as they develop the concept design.
- 5Report delivery: delivered electronically, ready to inform your concept design and any subsequent Development Application.
Why Choose Arbor Express?
For more than 32 years, Arbor Express has prepared arboricultural assessments for residential, commercial and infrastructure projects throughout Sydney. We regularly carry projects through from Preliminary Assessment to DA Tree Impact Assessment and beyond, so your arboricultural advice stays consistent as your design develops.
- AQF Level 5, QTRA and TRAQ qualified Consulting Arborists
- 32+ years' consulting experience
- Early-stage advice that reduces redesign risk
- Continuity through to Development Application and construction
- Fast-track service available
Assessing a Site Before Purchase?
Fast-track service is available for time-sensitive due diligence. Call us to discuss your timeframe.
0494 077 630Frequently Asked Questions
It's an early-stage report that identifies trees on a site and the constraints they may place on a proposed development, prepared before detailed design work begins.
Ideally at feasibility or concept design stage, before your architect finalises a layout. Identifying tree constraints early is far cheaper than redesigning around them later.
Council requirements vary. A Preliminary Arboricultural Assessment is generally used as an early planning and design tool, while the arboricultural documentation required for DA submission depends on the relevant council, site and proposal.
A Preliminary Assessment is completed before design to identify constraints; a DA Tree Impact Assessment (AIA) is completed after plans are drafted to assess how that specific design affects existing trees and support your Development Application.
Yes. Many clients commission a Preliminary Arboricultural Assessment as part of due diligence, to understand whether significant trees could limit their development plans before they buy.
Preliminary Arboricultural Assessments Across Sydney and NSW
Arbor Express prepares Preliminary Arboricultural Assessments throughout Greater Sydney and surrounding NSW regions. Council requirements and tree controls vary between locations, and our location guides provide information for individual council areas.
What Our Clients Say
Considering a Development Site?
Weighing up a site's potential or planning a concept design? A Preliminary Arboricultural Assessment gives you clarity early, when it's most valuable.