A subdivision application in Glenhaven needs an arborist report because councils in the Hills area often require one before tree work or approvals can proceed. It gives the assessing officer a documented basis for decisions about the trees on your site.
Why council asks for it
Subdividing changes how a site is used, so council wants to know what is growing on it and what will be affected. The arborist report records the condition of each tree, the risks it presents, and the actions recommended. That gives council evidence to work from rather than guesswork.
Council wants facts before it decides anything about a tree. A proper report gives them that, and it keeps the application moving.
Joseph Khoury, Director & Founder, Trees Down Under
How it shapes the layout
The report informs practical decisions on the plan:
- Which trees are healthy enough to retain and which are not
- Where a tree protection zone limits building or driveway placement
- Which trees may need pruning or removal to suit lot boundaries and access
Sorting this out early means fewer redesigns later. For any tree before removal, council permit requirements should be checked first. Hills Shire Council publishes its tree preservation rules, and the NSW Planning Portal covers state-level requirements.