Council planners across the Northern Rivers aren’t rejecting trees. They’re rejecting unclear paperwork. The Steve Cubis AQF level 5 arborists tag every stem, mirror the DA checklist and speak the assessor’s language. From a lone fig shading a heritage cottage to a 40-lot subdivision on ex-cane land, we trace roots, run decay scans, photograph defects and package the lot into a PDF that earns a one-pass tick, thereby saving months of rework.
EXPERT TREE CARE, NO GUESSWORK
Trees shape our region, and so does the way we manage them. Our certified arborists assess health, roots and habitats to deliver detailed, council-ready reports that support safe and informed decisions. What a Steve Cubis Tree Report includes:
TURN DOCS INTO YES VOTES
House-hunters checking that jacaranda’s root-zone, developers lodging a 50-townhouse DA, principals worried about playground limbs… if it involves a tree, we’ve written the report. From a Bangalow heritage fig saved by smart cabling to a Casino car-park pine felled before storm season, our reports nip disputes in the bud.
Whether you’re selling a weatherboard in Lismore, breaking ground on a 40-lot estate in Ballina, or managing a playground in Casino, a thorough arborist report keeps banks, insurers and councils happy. They spot hazards early, prove due diligence and create smooth approvals so projects and property sales stay on schedule.
Fast-tracked arborist report packages address DA clauses, map TPZs and justify tree retention or the need for safe tree removal, saving weeks on construction time.
A pre-purchase report flags decay or root issues, possibly needing future tree removal or stump grinding, aiding buyer confidence and realistic vendor pricing.
Annual risk audits with an arborist report protect students and residents. These inform scheduled tree maintenance programs, meeting WHS duties and lowering public liability premiums.
FEEDBACK FROM BUSINESS CLIENTS
Understanding when and why you need a formal arborist report in the Northern Rivers can be complex. Here’s some expert insight into common queries. For specific advice on your situation, please contact our qualified arborists.
In NSW, unauthorised tree removal or damage can lead to substantial penalties. The Land & Environment Court can impose fines up to A$1.1 million for a single illegal removal, with further daily penalties until a replacement tree is established. This highlights why obtaining the right arborist assessment and report before starting work is so important to avoid such costly outcomes.
Recent major storm events across Australia have resulted in billions of dollars in insured losses. A significant portion of these costs often comes from wind-thrown trees impacting commercial properties. Proactive risk assessment reports and having a plan for emergency tree work can greatly reduce potential clean-up expenses and business disruption when Northern Rivers weather hits hard.
Yes, a well-managed tree canopy can offer real savings. Research indicates that streets with good tree cover can experience significantly cooler land surface temperatures on hot days, which can trim air conditioning demand for adjacent buildings. This makes strategic tree pruning for airflow or new tree planting valuable, rather than just opting for removal. We can discuss energy-saving tree strategies for your commercial site.
Australian Standard AS 4970-2009 (Protection of trees on development sites) is the industry benchmark. It defines critical Tree Protection Zones (TPZs). Adhering to this standard during construction helps prevent root damage, which can otherwise lead to tens of thousands in costs for repaving, repairing utilities or future tree removal due to instability. Councils expect this standard to be correctly cited and applied in development application tree reports.
Some major insurance underwriters do accept Quantified Tree Risk Assessment (QTRA) methodology as a valid basis for assessing tree risk. Having documented risk mitigation strategies, such as installing tree cabling systems or planning phased removal for high-risk specimens, has, in some instances, helped commercial clients achieve premium rebates. It's worth discussing your tree risk management options with us and your insurer.
Call us at (02) 6621 8801 or drop your plans online below. We’ll quote in 24 hours and lock your site visit into the next run sheet.
