An arborist report for a DA is quoted per site after a free tree inspection. Trees Down Under, a local team with 20+ years’ experience and AQF Level 3-5 arborists, prepares council-ready reports. Call 0475 463 597 any time.
An arborist report for a development application is a written assessment of the trees on or near your site. A Level 5 arborist inspects each tree and records its condition, the risks it presents and the actions recommended, whether that is retaining it, pruning it or tree removal. It also covers the tree protection zone, so councils can see how a proposed build affects the roots and canopy.
Councils use the report to judge whether tree work or building near a tree is justified. Without it, a development application can stall before assessment starts. Treat the report as a planning input you budget for early, not a surprise expense. Call 0475 463 597 any time to talk through your site.
The report fee depends on the scope of your site. The next section explains how the price is set.
Each tree on the site needs to be inspected, measured and assessed, so the price moves with the tree count. Large, mature trees take longer to assess than small ones, and trees close to the proposed building footprint need a closer look at their tree protection zone.
A clear, level block is quicker to assess than a steep or crowded one. Tight access, neighbouring structures and trees that need climbing or crane access for inspection all add time to the job.
A development application may need an impact assessment, a tree protection plan, or both. Sydney councils set their own requirements, so the scope depends on where the property sits. Reports can also cover removal work, so quoting tree removal in Sydney alongside the report keeps the whole process in one place.
A report is only as useful as its scope. Tell us what the council has asked for and we can price it properly before anything starts.
Joseph Khoury, Director & Founder, Trees Down Under
Turnaround matters too. A tight DA deadline can affect scheduling, so mention it when you request a quote. Call 0475 463 597 any time to talk through your site.
An arborist report from Trees Down Under covers the assessment and the written findings. Council charges sit on top of that and are paid directly to council. Two examples from Sydney councils:
Fees vary between councils, so check your local council’s current schedule before you lodge. Councils also check any application against permit rules, so confirm what applies to your tree before booking tree removal in Sydney. Call 0475 463 597 any time and the team can explain what your report needs to include.
Not always. Development consent is no longer required if the tree is dead or dying, poses an imminent risk to human life, or threatens substantial property. In those cases the focus shifts to making the site safe, and a report from a Level 3 arborist is provided before or immediately after the works.
For anything outside those exceptions, a council-ready arborist report is the safer starting point. Sydney councils generally assess tree applications within 28 days, and if you have not been notified after that period, the application has likely been refused. Starting work without the right approval is a risk not worth taking, so check your council’s permit requirements before any tree removal goes ahead.
Unsure which category your tree falls into? Trees Down Under offers a free tree inspection, and a Level 5 arborist can tell you whether a report is needed. If a tree is already an emergency, call 0475 463 597 any time, day or night.
Book a free tree inspection and receive a clear quote for your council-ready arborist report. Call 0475 463 597 during business hours, or send your tree details through the online form. Quotes are provided on request, and same-day quoting is offered where possible.
If the report is only part of the job, these pages cover the next step. Tree removal services across Sydney include tree removal, pruning and risk assessments, with council permit assistance where approvals are needed. For urgent hazards, the 24/7 emergency tree service operates across all Sydney regions. Local pages cover the Hills District and the Central Coast, where Level 5 arborists prepare council-ready reports. Call 0475 463 597 any time to talk it through.
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