Tree Compliance for Development – Stonnington Planning Permit Guide

How Tree Compliance Is Assessed in Stonnington

Council does not assess trees separately from development design. Assessment commonly focuses on:

• Development impact on existing canopy cover
• Whether trees can realistically be retained through design response
• Long-term neighbourhood character and landscape outcomes
• Compliance with Tree Protection Zones (TPZ) and Structural Root Zones (SRZ) under AS 4970

Planning assessment generally focuses on achieving realistic long-term canopy outcomes rather than simply determining whether a tree can be removed.

See Tree Removal Planning Permit Guide in Stonnington for how removal requests are assessed within development applications.

Obtaining a Planning Permit Approval

Obtaining planning permit approval where trees are present usually requires early arborist involvement, responsive development design and compliance with Clause 52.37 and AS 4970.

Many planning delays occur where tree constraints are identified too late, resulting in:

• Redesign requirements
• Requests for Further Information (RFIs)
• Planning delays
• Permit refusal risks

Our local Level 5 arborists provide:

• Pre-design arborist advice
• Planning permit arborist reports
• Construction-stage compliance support
• Project Arborist supervision

This guide outlines the typical process used to assess tree impacts, manage canopy compliance and support planning approval across Stonnington.

Step 1 – Understand Tree Constraints Early

Early site assessment should generally consider:

• Tree location, canopy spread and trunk size
• Whether trees trigger Clause 52.37 canopy thresholds
• Tree health, structure and retention value
• Planning overlays such as SLO, VPO, ESO and Heritage Overlay
• Potential conflicts with buildings, basements, accessways and services

Across Stonnington’s constrained urban environment, early arborist assessment is often critical to avoiding redesign later in the process.

Step 2 – Engage a Level 5 Arborist During Concept Design

Early arborist involvement may help:

• Identify realistic retention opportunities
• Reduce TPZ and SRZ conflicts
• Assist architects with layout optimisation
• Lower planning permit risk and redesign costs

Late arborist involvement is a common cause of planning delays and revised design work.

Step 3 – Prepare a Planning Permit Arborist Report

A planning permit arborist report commonly includes:

• Tree identification and condition assessment
• Retention value and risk analysis
• TPZ calculations
• SRZ calculations
• Assessment of development impacts
• Justification where removal is proposed

See Arborist Reports for Developers & Architects for planning permit reporting requirements.

Step 4 – Clause 52.37 Canopy Compliance

Stonnington places strong emphasis on retaining and replacing urban canopy.

Council commonly assesses:

• Whether canopy loss is justified
• Whether replacement canopy can realistically be achieved on-site
• Compatibility with neighbourhood character and streetscape
• Long-term canopy contribution of the proposed development

Failure to demonstrate realistic canopy outcomes is a common reason planning applications are delayed or refused.

Read more on Clause 52.37 Canopy Tree Requirements.

Step 5 – Functional Deep Soil Design

Deep soil must perform functionally rather than simply satisfy dimensions on plans.

Council commonly assesses whether deep soil areas:

• Provide sufficient soil volume for canopy growth
• Remain continuous rather than fragmented
• Are clear of basement and structural interference
• Support long-term root development
• Function under real urban site conditions

Across constrained Stonnington sites, deep soil design is often a major planning consideration.

Step 6 – AS 4970 Compliance (TPZ & SRZ Protection)

AS 4970 compliance commonly involves:

• Establishing Tree Protection Zones (TPZ)
• Assessing Structural Root Zones (SRZ)
• Justifying encroachment where required
• Installing protection fencing
• Adapting construction methods near retained trees

Compliance with AS 4970 is generally expected during planning assessment and construction.

Step 7 – Tree Management Plan (TMP)

Tree Management Plans commonly include:

• Protection fencing and exclusion zones
• Construction controls near retained trees
• No-go areas for excavation or storage
• Arborist supervision requirements
• Integration with planning permit conditions

Step 8 – Project Arborist Role During Construction

The Project Arborist commonly provides:

• Site inspections and monitoring
• TPZ and SRZ compliance checks
• Guidance where construction impacts occur
• Final compliance certification

Step 9 – Final Certification & Permit Sign-Off

Final compliance commonly includes:

• Arborist certification
• Verification of permit conditions
• Confirmation of tree protection compliance

This stage helps demonstrate that approved tree protection measures were implemented correctly throughout construction.

Common Reasons Planning Permits Are Delayed or Refused

• Arborist advice obtained too late
• TPZ or SRZ conflicts left unresolved
• Inadequate canopy replacement outcomes
• Deep soil areas lacking functionality
• Excessive reliance on tree removal rather than design response
• Incomplete or non-compliant arborist documentation

Summary – Achieving Planning Permit Approval

Successful planning outcomes commonly rely on:

• Early arborist involvement
• Accurate planning permit arborist reports
• Clause 52.37 canopy compliance
• Functional deep soil design
• AS 4970 tree protection measures
• Project Arborist supervision
• Retention-focused development design