Arborist Assessment Report

Arboricultural Assessment Report v1                                                      NCES REF: J000742
Proposed Footpath – Elm St, Cooroy (Palm Lakes)




1     INTRODUCTION

1.1       Background
North Coast Environmental Services have been commissioned to inspect, record findings and
prepare an Arboricultural Assessment Report in relation to trees which may be impacted by the
proposed construction of a new footpath within the road reserve of Elm Street, Cooroy.
The scope of works addressed in this report comprises:
          An assessment of the potential ecological value of the vegetation contained within the site;
          A site inspection to identify trees suitable for retention, removal or remedial works based on
           the design plans supplied by Calibre Consulting;
          Preparation of a tree survey plan and vegetation assessment schedule to be used to
           pictorially identify Arborist recommendations and actions. Recommendations relate to tree
           protection requirements under AS4970 in addition to findings in respect to tree
           health/structure and habitat features; and
          Identification of suitable mitigation measures to minimise the environmental impacts of the
           proposed works.
1.2       Proposed Works
The proposed works include the installation of a 2m wide footpath to be located within the road
reserve of Elm St, Cooroy. Battering will be required to establish an appropriate footpath gradient
due to the existing verge profile.
Two options for the footpath alignment have been provided by Calibre Consulting and have been
considered for the assessment. These include:
          Pathway Option 1 – Located nearest to the roadway with a standard footpath setback to TMR
           standards; and
          Pathway Option 2 – Furthest from the roadway (safest option for pedestrians). Occurs within
           the TPZ (Tree Protection Zone) of a larger number of trees.
The civil design drawings have been included as Appendix 2.
1.3       Assessment Area
The assessment area includes all tree species existing within the proposed footpath alignments and
trees adjacent that may be impacted by the footpath installation and associated earthworks.
Existing slashed grass cover exists within the road reserve of Elm Street, in addition to native
plantings and regrowth which provide a buffer between Palm Lakes Resort, Elm Street, and the
adjoining railway line.
Plate 1 depicts the location of the assessment area.




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