Design with the trees, not around them.

Before the layout is fixed, ideally at concept stage. Moving a wall on paper costs nothing; moving it after DA costs a lot.

A report that measures how the proposed works affect each tree, mainly by how much of its protected root area they take, and sets out how to protect the trees that stay during construction, including any pruning needed. It follows AS 4970.

Each tree gets a tree protection zone worked out from its trunk diameter, and a smaller structural root zone around the base that is effectively untouchable. Under AS 4970, both zones are set the same way for every tree. Tell us the trees and we will give you the zones early, as a layer you can design to with allowable encroachments.

Usually not. Minor encroachment can be supported where it is justified and the tree's long-term health is not compromised — that justification is what the impact assessment is for. Where the encroachment is larger, we can map the roots to show what is actually there and support the case. We would rather be asked at concept stage, when the encroachment can be designed down, than after a refusal.

Both. William writes the assessment report and our own supervised crew does the protection works and site work, so there is no gap between what the report says and what happens on site.