Attachment D - Arborist Report

Page 2

1.   COPYRIGHT

Produced by: Tree Solutions Australia P/L

Prepared by: Brendan Martin (Dip.Arb/Hort, MAA, MISA, MQAA)




Commercial in Confidence

All the information contained in this document is provided in strict commercial confidence. It
shall not be disclosed to any third party or reproduced in any way without the express written
consent of Tree Solutions Australia.

Copyright
© Tree Solutions Australia P/L




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2. BRIEF



Terms of Reference


Request by Carl Safstrom (Principal Landscape Architect - Project Urban) to comment on viability of
retaining existing street trees on the frontage at 30-32 Doonella Street, Tewantin.


      Application No.                 MCU21/0013 & OPW21/0031

      Street Address:                 30 & 32 Doonella St Tewantin

      Real Property Description:      Lot 903 T1631 & Lot 32 RP 893427

      Planning Scheme:                Noosa Plan 2020 (25 September 2020)

      Issue – removal of mature Poinciana’s on road reserve
      The proposal results in the removal of existing Poinciana’s on road reserve. Noosa Plan is
      very clear that mature vegetation on road reserves must be retained, especially where that
      vegetation is considered a character tree in the locality (refer PO5 of the Tewantin Local Plan
      Code). The Poinciana trees is considered a character vegetation in Tewantin. Removal of
      these trees is generally not supported.
      The removal of established character street trees for the upgrade of the Unitywater mains.
      No construction methods are detailed to support the removal to the significant street trees.
      Information Required
      1.    Provide an analyses of construction methods used to retain the significant
            street trees for the provision of Unitywater mains, not limited to trenching, and
            explores the use of directional tunnel boring or other methods to retain the
            trees in-situ.

Procedure


A ground site assessment was conducted on November 5, 2019.


Site Map – Location of Assessment




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3. FINDINGS


3.0   Site road reserve trees are 4 x Delonix regia “Poinciana” in various states of condition. Three of
      the trees are in good condition with the fourth, the smallest, being sub-standard in size and
      quality and possibly in a state of decline.

3.1   Proposed site works include the reconstruction of the existing water main which is between 1.5-
      1.8m off the road verge. This upgrade, required by Unitywater, will be well within the tree
      protection zones (TPZ) of the trees and will significantly compromise tree condition.
      An area of approximately 5 to 6 metres would be the calculated TPZ of each tree meaning this
      entire area would need to be impact free. This won’t be possible as the existing water main is
      well within this protected/sensitive area.

3.2   Proposed earthworks and other site works including a significant cut for the proposed footpath
      will seriously compromise tree condition. TPZ’s cannot be adequately protected and it is not
      viable to retain the existing “Poinciana’s”.
      A strategy to replace them with advanced healthy trees after the development is recommended.




4. RECOMMENDATIONS



4.0   The centre of Tree 1, at the western end of the site frontage, is just 0.6m off the existing water
      main. Given the proximity of the main, retention of this tree is not practical given the need to
      reconstruct the main.

4.1   Tree 2 needs to be removed to make way for one of the approved driveways to the site.

4.2   Tree 3 is in poor condition and should be removed.

4.3   The water main is 900mm off the centre of Tree 4. Given the proximity of the main retention
      would not be practical given the need to reconstruct the main.

4.4   Due to the extent of the cut required for compliant footpath construction all these require
      removal and replacement.




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    5. IMAGES




1
                2
                                       3
                                                         4

                4 x “Poinciana’s” in
                question




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[OCR of page images]
5. IMAGES

 

 

to

4x “Poinciana’s” in

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Page 6

6.   DISCLAIMER


This information contained in this report has been prepared on an independent basis, free of any bias and
represents the honest opinion of the consulting arborist. All data is based on visual inspection of the tree/s and
its/their location at the time of writing, unless otherwise stated, and contains opinions, advice and
recommendations based on information and data gathered from site inspections carried out by the author and
information supplied by the Client. All information received from the Client shall be deemed to be true, accurate
and up to date.

To the extent permitted by law, you agree Tree Solutions Australia Pty Ltd is not liable to you or any person or
entity for any loss of or damage caused or alleged to have been caused (including loss or damage resulting from
negligence) either directly or indirectly, by your use of the information made available in this report. In no event
will the author be liable to you for any lost revenue or profits, or for special, indirect, consequential or incidental
damage (however caused and regardless of the theory of liability) arising out of or related to your use of that
information, even if the author has been advised of the possibility of such a loss or damage.
This report is subject to copyright laws and no part may be reproduced or used without the written permission of
Tree Solutions Australia Pty Ltd nor will any responsibility be accepted for unauthorised or partial use of this
report.

Unless otherwise stated this report cannot be used within a court of law or any legal situation without the prior
consent of Tree Solutions Australia Pty Ltd. The author shall not be required to give testimony or to attend court
by reason of this report unless subsequent contractual arrangements have been made.

The information contained in this report refers only to the trees that were inspected as per request and reflects
the condition of the trees at the time of the inspection. There is no warranty or guarantee, expressed or implied,
that the problems or deficiencies of the plants or property in question may not arise in the future. Likewise,
remedial treatments cannot be guaranteed.
Arboriculturalists cannot detect every condition that could possibly lead to the structural failure of a tree. Trees
are living organisms that fail in ways we do not fully understand. Conditions are often hidden within trees and
below ground.

This report does not take into consideration the possibility of extreme weather or other events over which Tree
Solutions Australia Pty Ltd has no control.
Treatment, pruning and removal of trees may involve considerations beyond the scope of the Arboriculturalists
services, such as property boundaries and ownership, disputes between neighbours, sight lines, landlord-tenant
matters and other related issues. Such issues cannot be taken into account unless complete and accurate
information is given nor can any responsibility be accepted for the authorization or non-authorization of any
recommended treatment or remedial measure.

Arboriculturalists are tree specialists who use their education, knowledge, training and experience to examine
trees, recommend measures to enhance the beauty and health of trees and attempt to reduce the risk of living
near trees. Safety, the trees survival requirements and wildlife habitat needs are criteria considered. Trees can be
managed, but they cannot be controlled. To live or work near a tree involves some degree of risk. The only way to
eliminate all risks associated with a tree is to eliminate the tree.




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Page 7

7.   BIBLIOGRAPHY

     VTA (Visual Tree Assessment – Prof. Dr. Claus Mattheck 1994) based on
     ‘The Body Language of Trees’.
     An Evaluation of Hazard Trees (ISA – Matheny & Clark 1994).
     Dictionary for Managing Trees in Urban Environments – Danny B Draper and
     Peter A Richards
     Modern Arboriculture and a New Tree Biology by Dr Alex Shigo.
     Arboriculture ‘Integrated Management of Landscape trees, shrubs and vines –
     Richard W. Harris
     AS 4373 – 2007 (Australian Standards – Pruning Of Amenity Trees)
     AS 4970 – 2009 (Australian Standards – Protection of Trees on Development
     Sites)




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