Quality & Guarantee

Arborist Reports You Can Trust — Backed by a Compliance Guarantee

At TMC, all arborist reports are prepared by fully qualified consulting arborists, holding AQF Level 5 to AQF Level 8 qualifications. Every report is completed in accordance with AS4970-2009 – Protection of Trees on Development Sites and meets the relevant standards set by local Councils.

All of our arborist reports are proofread by one of our expert qualified consulting arborists prior to delivery, ensuring the highest standard of accuracy and compliance. This rigorous internal review process is why we are confident in offering our money-back guarantee!

Guaranteed Compliance

We are committed to delivering work of the highest standard. In fact, we’re so confident in the quality and compliance of our reports that we offer up to a $1,000 + GST money-back guarantee should a Council reject one of our reports on the basis that it does not comply with AS4970-2009 or applicable Council requirements.

Should any compliance issue arise, in addition to the money-back guarantee of up to $1,000 + GST, we will immediately update the report at no additional cost to ensure it fully meets all relevant standards.

Development Reports

TMC’s development reports are designed to get the best outcome for your project. We structure our development reports to support construction as close as possible to trees that must be retained, without compromising tree viability. AS4970-2009 allows the project arborist to demonstrate a tree will remain viable, so we carefully assess site conditions and, where feasible, recommend less invasive construction methods or provide sound justification that the tree can tolerate the proposed works.

It is not uncommon for proposed encroachments into the Tree Protection Zone (TPZ) to exceed the 10% threshold outlined in AS4970-2009. Where appropriate, we have successfully justified such encroachments and continue to share examples of approved cases in our Arborist Report of the Month series.

However, it’s important to note that Council may, at its discretion, reject a proposal despite a compliant and well-reasoned report. This does not necessarily indicate that the report fails to meet required standards. Rather, it may reflect a planning decision beyond the scope of arboricultural assessment.

Our compliance guarantee applies only where a Council formally rejects a report on the grounds that it does not meet AS4970-2009 or their specific requirements — not due to discretionary planning decisions.

Want an Opinion Before Engaging Us?

We understand that you may want initial guidance before proceeding. If you send us your site plans, photos of the tree(s), tree measurements, and any other relevant details, we’ll happily offer a no-obligation opinion on what we’re likely to recommend — free of charge.

Tree Risk Assessments 

For risk assessments, we let the tree tell the story. We use the same methodology as many Councils — Quantified Tree Risk Assessment (QTRA) — which helps us make well-aligned recommendations. Our verbal consultation service includes a preliminary risk rating of your tree and our opinion on the likelihood of Council approving its removal.

While tree risk is somewhat subjective and opinions can differ between arborists, we stand by our assessments. We never include anything in a report that we don’t believe in. If we recommend removal, we’ll support you throughout the appeal process and go as far as we can on your behalf. However, final decisions rest with the relevant Council.

Still Not Sure?

If you're unsure whether to proceed with a consultation or report, feel free to send us a photo of your tree(s). We’ll provide free advice via email or phone based on the information you supply.

For any questions about our services or money-back guarantee, please don’t hesitate to contact us by phone or email. We’re here to help.