Tree protection zones for builders, developers and owners.
Tree Protection Zone Sydney — TPZ arborists for builders, developers and homeowners
AS 4970 tree protection plans, a named AQF Level 5 project arborist, TPZ fencing, root pruning and root barriers, then the compliance certificate at the end. One crew, one fixed price.
★ 5.0 from 64 Google reviewsAQF Level 5 arboristsISO 9001 certified$20M public liability
The tree on the plan has to survive the build. We make sure it does, and we prove it to council.
A tree protection zone (TPZ) is the area around a retained tree that a development consent says you must not dig in, drive over, store on or fill without an arborist involved. Get it wrong and the penalties run to hundreds of thousands of dollars, the certifier will not sign off, and the tree usually dies anyway three years later. True Roots supplies the project arborist, the tree protection plan, the fencing, the root pruning and the root barriers, then the compliance certification at the end.
Most builders meet a TPZ for the first time as a condition of consent: “Tree protection measures in accordance with AS 4970-2009 shall be installed prior to any works and inspected by the project arborist.” That one sentence means fencing before the excavator arrives, an arborist on call for every trench that crosses the zone, and a folder of inspection reports for the occupation certificate. We do all of it, and because we are also a tree removal and landscape construction company, we already understand the site, the machinery and the program.
For homeowners the same rules apply to a pool, a granny flat, a new driveway or a retaining wall near a protected tree or a neighbour’s tree. The cheapest time to talk to us is before the plans are lodged, when moving a footing half a metre still costs nothing.
Every TPZ task, from the report to the last inspection.
Tree protection plans (AS 4970)
Calculated TPZ and structural root zone (SRZ) for every retained tree, drawn over the site plan, with fencing lines, ground protection, no-go areas and the inspection schedule council expects to see with the DA or CC.
Project arborist
An AQF Level 5 arborist named on the consent as the project arborist: pre-construction inspection, hold-point inspections during works, incident reports if something goes wrong, and a final compliance certificate.
Encroachment assessments
When a footing, driveway or service trench has to cross the TPZ, we assess the encroachment (minor under 10 per cent of the zone, major over it), set out how the tree can still be retained and give the certifier the justification in writing.
Root mapping and root pruning
Non-destructive root investigation by hand and air spade before excavation, then clean pruning of the roots that must go, done by an arborist rather than torn out by the bucket. This is the difference between a tree that stands and one that fails in the next storm.
Root barriers and ground protection
Root barrier to protect slabs, pipes and pools from the retained tree, and rumble boards, mulch and steel plate where machinery has to cross the zone. See our dedicated root barrier installation service.
Fencing, signage and supervision
1.8 m chain-mesh TPZ fencing with the required signage, installed before demolition and moved only with the arborist’s written approval. We also supervise the works that have to happen inside the zone.
Four steps between the consent and the occupation certificate.
Site inspection and plan
We measure the retained trees, calculate the TPZ and SRZ, check the drawings against the zones and write the tree protection plan the consent asks for.
Protection installed
Fencing, signage, ground protection and any root barrier or root pruning go in before demolition or excavation starts. Pre-construction inspection report issued.
Hold-point inspections
The arborist attends each stage the plan nominates: excavation near the zone, service trenches, footings, landscaping. Each visit is reported so the certifier has a paper trail.
Compliance certificate
At completion we confirm the tree’s condition, the measures were maintained and any conditions were met, and issue the certificate council and the certifier need to close the job out.
What the work looks like when it is done properly.
The numbers councils and certifiers work from.
Under AS 4970-2009 Protection of trees on development sites, the TPZ radius is twelve times the trunk diameter measured at 1.4 m above ground, never less than 2 m and never more than 15 m. The structural root zone (SRZ), the part that keeps the tree upright, is calculated separately from the trunk diameter at ground level and cannot be encroached at all without the tree being treated as removed. Encroachment into the TPZ of less than 10 per cent of its area, outside the SRZ, is generally acceptable; anything more needs the project arborist to demonstrate the tree will remain viable.
Sydney councils write these requirements straight into consent conditions, and the fines for damaging a protected tree during works are severe: up to $1.1 million in the Land and Environment Court for Tier 1 offences under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, with on-the-spot penalties for lesser breaches. A tree protection plan, a named project arborist and dated inspection reports are what keep a builder on the right side of that. Council-specific rules are on our Georges River, Sutherland Shire and City of Sydney guides.
Builders, developers, landscapers and owners who cannot afford a dead tree on the file.
Builders and developers
One contact for the arborist report, the protection plan, the fencing, the root work and the certification, with inspection turnaround that suits a construction program. See commercial and builder tree services.
Homeowners
Pools, extensions, granny flats and driveways near a protected tree. We tell you early what can be built where, and handle the paperwork so the certifier is satisfied.
Landscapers and pool builders
Arborist supervision for excavation inside a TPZ, root pruning done properly, and a letter for your client’s file that says the tree was protected during your works.
What people ask before they call.
What is a tree protection zone?
The area of ground and canopy around a retained tree that must be protected during development, calculated under AS 4970-2009 as twelve times the trunk diameter, with a minimum radius of 2 m and a maximum of 15 m. Nothing is dug, filled, stored or driven in it without the project arborist’s approval.
Do I need a project arborist for my build?
If your consent references AS 4970, a tree protection plan or a project arborist, yes. Most Sydney councils require one whenever works come within the TPZ of a protected tree, including trees on neighbouring land or the nature strip.
Can I build inside a TPZ at all?
Often, yes. Encroachments under 10 per cent of the zone outside the SRZ are usually accepted, and larger ones can be justified with root mapping, pier-and-beam footings, suspended slabs or realigned services. We work that out with your designer before the plans are lodged.
What does a tree protection plan cost?
It depends on the number of trees and inspections the consent requires. Send us the consent conditions and the site plan and we quote the plan, the protection works and the inspections as one fixed price.
The tree was damaged during works. What now?
Call us the same day. An arborist inspects, documents the damage, prescribes remedial work and reports to the certifier. Acting quickly and honestly is far cheaper than the alternative.
Can True Roots install the root barrier and do the tree work too?
Yes. We are a tree removal, pruning and landscape construction company as well as a consulting arborist, so the same crew that writes the plan can prune the roots, fit the barrier, fence the zone and remove the trees the consent allows.
Qualified, insured and accountable
- AQF Level 5 arboristDiploma of Arboriculture (TAFE NSW). Reports accepted by Sydney councils.
- ISO 9001 certifiedQuality management system, audited. SWMS and risk assessments with every quote.
- $20M public liabilityPlus icare workers compensation. Certificates of currency sent on request.
- Australian StandardsPruning to AS 4373, tree protection on building sites to AS 4970.
- Indigenous-ownedTender-ready for councils, strata and builders: certificates of currency and site documentation supplied with every quote.
- 5.0 on Google64 reviews, every one from a real job. Read them.
Got a consent condition with AS 4970 in it?
Send the conditions and the site plan with your suburb. We quote the tree protection plan, the fencing and root work, and the inspections as one fixed price, and we call back the same day.
Get a free quote
Tell us what you need done and we will call you back to arrange a look. Every job is assessed individually - no two trees are the same.
Urgent or unsafe tree? Call 0422 023 242 - we answer 24 hours.