Quick takeaways

• Council may ask for an arborist report when trees could affect a proposed build, alteration, removal request or compliance decision.
• The request does not automatically mean your project cannot go ahead.
• The right report depends on what council is asking and what the trees may affect.
• A Council Services pathway may help when you need arborist input for a council request, permit issue or planning matter.
• If you are unsure what council is asking for, a Verbal Consultation can help clarify the next step.

Why councils ask for arborist reports

Councils ask for arborist reports when they need professional information about trees before making or progressing a decision.

That may include information about:

• tree condition
• tree retention or removal
• development impacts
• protection during works
• compliance with permit conditions
• risk or safety concerns
• how trees relate to the proposed design

In plain English, council is usually trying to understand whether trees are relevant to the decision and whether the proposal has considered them properly.

This is especially common where a site has established trees, neighbouring trees near the boundary, street trees near access points, or works proposed close to tree roots or canopy.

Common situations that trigger the request

1. Trees are close to proposed works

Council may ask for arborist information if works are proposed near existing trees.

This can include:

• a new dwelling
• an extension
• a townhouse or unit development
• a driveway or crossover
• demolition works
• excavation
• retaining walls
• service trenches
• changes to ground levels

Even if the tree is not proposed for removal, council may still need to understand whether the works could affect tree health, stability, roots or canopy.

2. A tree may need to be removed or pruned

If the proposal involves removing, pruning or working near a tree, council may need arboricultural information before it can assess the request.

The report may help explain the tree’s condition, significance, retention value, structural concerns or relationship to the proposed works.

This does not mean removal will automatically be supported. It means council needs clearer information before a decision can be made.

3. The proposed design may affect tree retention

Sometimes the issue is not whether a tree is healthy or unsafe. The issue is whether the design can work with the trees on or near the site.

Council may need to know:

• which trees can reasonably be retained
• whether the design creates unacceptable impacts
• whether protection measures are practical
• whether construction methods need to change
• whether more information is needed before approval

Where the main issue is the effect of a development on trees, an Arboricultural Impact Assessment may be the relevant pathway.

4. Tree protection needs to be shown clearly

Council may also ask for clearer information about how retained trees will be protected during works.

This can include fencing, exclusion zones, access controls, ground protection and other measures that help prevent construction damage.

Where the main issue is the layout of protective measures, a Tree Protection Plan may be relevant.

5. Council needs information before a permit or condition can be resolved

In some cases, the arborist report is needed because a permit condition, request for further information or compliance question cannot be resolved without tree-specific advice.

This is where the wording of council’s request matters.

The next step is to understand what council has asked for, not to guess the report type from the phrase “arborist report” alone.

What type of report council may actually need

“Arborist report” is a broad phrase. Council may use it generally, but the information required can vary.

Council Services

If the request is directly tied to a council process, permit issue, planning condition or request for further information, TMC’s Council Services page is the best place to start.

This pathway is useful when you need help understanding and responding to council requirements.

Arboricultural Impact Assessment

An Arboricultural Impact Assessment may be relevant when the key question is how a proposed development may affect existing trees.

This is commonly used for development applications where trees may influence design, retention, approval conditions or planning outcomes.

Tree Management Plan

A Tree Management Plan may be relevant where council needs information about how trees will be managed before, during or after works.

This may apply where retained trees need practical management measures through the project.

Tree Protection Plan

A Tree Protection Plan may be relevant where council needs a clearer site layout showing how trees will be protected during construction.

This can help document protective measures in a way that is easier for project teams and council officers to understand.

Verbal Consultation

A Verbal Consultation may be suitable if you have received a council request but are unsure what type of arborist input is needed.

This can help you understand the request before ordering the wrong report.

What happens if you are not sure which report applies?

Start with the wording of council’s request.

Look for clues such as:

• “arborist report”
• “tree assessment”
• “impact assessment”
• “tree protection”
• “tree management”
• “retention”
• “removal”
• “condition”
• “permit condition”
• “request for further information”

Then gather the information you already have.

Useful documents may include:

• council’s written request
• planning permit documents
• proposed plans
• survey plans
• tree photos
• site address
• any previous arborist advice
• emails from your planner, architect, designer or council

You do not need to interpret everything yourself before asking for help.

A qualified arborist can review the request and scope the right report path before delays increase.

How early arborist input can reduce delay and confusion

Council requests can feel stressful, especially if you do not know what has triggered the issue.

Early arborist input can help by:

• clarifying what council is asking for
• identifying which report type is likely to be needed
• reducing back-and-forth between parties
• helping the design team understand tree constraints
• supporting a clearer response to council
• avoiding the wrong report being prepared

For Victorian projects, Planning Victoria provides information on protecting and enhancing tree canopy, including how planning settings can relate to canopy trees and residential development.

Your own council request should still be reviewed in context, because each project, site and tree situation is different.

Common mistakes

1. Assuming the project has been rejected

A request for an arborist report does not automatically mean the project cannot proceed.

It usually means council needs more tree-related information before it can assess the matter confidently.

2. Ordering a generic report without checking the request

Not every arborist report answers the same question.

If council needs development impact information, a basic tree condition summary may not be enough. If council needs a protection layout, a different report may be required.

3. Waiting too long to respond

Delays often grow when the request sits unanswered or when the wrong information is prepared.

Early clarification can help keep the response moving.

4. Ignoring neighbouring or street trees

Trees do not always need to be on your property to be relevant.

Neighbouring trees and street trees may still matter if the proposed works are close enough to affect roots, canopy, access or protection requirements.

5. Trying to turn the council request into legal advice

An arborist report provides arboricultural assessment and recommendations. It does not replace planning or legal advice.

For complex planning matters, your arborist may need to work alongside your planner, architect, designer or other project advisers.

FAQ

Why has council asked for an arborist report?

Council has likely asked because trees may affect the proposal, approval pathway, permit decision or compliance requirements.

The report helps council understand the tree-related issues before deciding what happens next.

Does this mean my project cannot go ahead?

Not necessarily.

A request for an arborist report usually means council needs more information. The outcome depends on the trees, the proposal, the planning context and the findings of the arborist assessment.

How do I know which arborist report is needed?

Start by reviewing council’s wording and the project stage.

If the request relates to development impacts, an Arboricultural Impact Assessment may be needed. If it relates to site protection, a Tree Protection Plan may apply. If it relates to tree management during works, a Tree Management Plan may be more relevant.

If the request is unclear, a consultation can help scope the right next step.

Can I get advice before sending everything back to council?

Yes.

This is often the best time to get advice, because the arborist can review the council request and help identify what information is needed before you respond.

Quick checklist and next steps

Before requesting a quote, gather:

• council’s written request
• the property address
• proposed plans
• survey or site plans, if available
• photos of relevant trees
• any permit conditions or planning documents
• your project stage and deadline
• contact details for your planner, architect or designer, if relevant

Your next step is to work out what council actually needs and which report path will answer the request properly.

If your request is tied to a council process, start with TMC’s Council Services page. If the request is unclear, a Verbal Consultation may help you confirm the right direction before preparing a formal report.

Wrap-up

When council asks for an arborist report, the goal is usually to get clearer tree information before a planning, permit or compliance decision can move forward.

The request may relate to development impacts, tree protection, tree management, removal, retention or safety concerns.

The safest next step is to review the council request, identify the actual arborist input needed, and prepare the right report path rather than guessing.

Get a Quote

Send through your council request, plans and site details so TMC Reports can help scope the right arborist report pathway.