Consultancy

Currency Creek Arboretum Eucalypt Research

Consultancy

Dean Nicolle is a consultant arborist, botanist and ecologist specialising in the identification of eucalypts and the arboricultural assessment of trees in the Adelaide region.

Species/specimen identification
Arboricultural consultancy
	Arboricultural (tree) assessments and reports
	Arboricultural (tree) audits and reports
	Expert witness statements
Species selection
Currency Creek Arboretum tours and consultancy

Species/specimen identification

Within the eucalypts (genera Angophora, Corymbia and Eucalyptus), locally indigenous and exotic specimens from anywhere in Australia or worldwide can be identified. Specimens can be identified from digital images (less reliable but rapid identification), pressed and dried specimens, and live plants in-situ (most reliable but less rapid identification).

Identification fees are based on an hourly rate of $120 per hour (inc. GST). Rates can also be negotiated on a per-image, per-specimen or per-tree basis. One-off identifications and small numbers of identifications may not be charged.

Arboricultural consultancy (tree assessments and reports)

In accordance with the Development Act 1993 and the Development (Regulated Trees) Variation Regulations 2011, local government development approval is required to remove, prune (certain pruning only) or damage any 'Regulated' or 'Significant' tree as defined by the Act in the greater Adelaide metropolitan area.

What constitutes a 'Regulated' or 'Significant' tree depends on a number of factors, including its species (some species are exempt in certain situations), its total and average trunk/stem circumference, its locality, and its proximity to certain structures (among other criteria). Dean Nicolle can provide expert advice as to the 'Regulated' or 'Significant' status of a tree according to the Act (an on-site inspection of the tree is usually required).

Dean Nicolle has produced tree assessment reports for over 10,000 individual trees in the Adelaide metropolitan area since 2002. Recommendations made as part of an arboricultural assessment may include:

Tree removal or retention (including prioritisations)
Pruning strategies
Possible engineering solutions
Tree management plans
Tree maintenance
Tree Protection Zones (development sites only)
Structural Root Zones (development sites only; if relevant)
Residential dwelling Built-Form Setbacks (development sites only; if relevant)

Arboricultural (tree) assessments and reports

Suitable for single trees, or small numbers of trees included in a single assessment and report. Involves a detailed arboricultural assessment, including the following sections within a written report:

Background (if relevant)
'Regulated' or 'Significant' status of the tree
Tree Species (scientific and common name)
Tree Description and Location (including significant status, tree characteristics, age, future size and proximity to infrastructure)
Tree Health and Longevity
Hazards and Risks Associated with the Tree (including the current likelihood and consequence of failure, anticipated future risks and damage to infrastructure)
Addressing the Council’s Development Plan (if relevant)
Recommendations

Arboricultural assessment and reporting fees are based on an hourly rate of $120 per hour (inc. GST). The below cost estimates are based on single trees. Assessments and reports for multiple trees on a single site can be assessed for significantly less per tree.

On-site assessment and verbal report (typically 1 hour/$120)
On-site assessment, verbal report (if requested) and written email summary (typically 1.5 hrs/$180)
On-site assessment, verbal report (if requested) and detailed written report (typically 3.5 hrs/$420)

Arboricultural (tree) audits and reports

Suitable for larger numbers of trees included in a single assessment and report, such as for large-scale developments, broad-scale assessments, and baseline data collection. Involves the arboricultural assessment of all trees and a report explaining and summarising the data and providing recommendations, and including the following data for each tree:

Tree location and identification (labelled on a pre-existing survey plan or aerial image)
Species identification (scientific and common name)
Stem circumference at one metre above ground level ('Regulated' or 'Significant' status of the tree as defined by the Development Act 1993 and the Development (Regulated Trees) Variation Regulations 2011)
Estimated tree age (in years)
Tree origin (remnant, planted, self-seeded weed, etc.)
Projected further life expectancy
General tree structure/form
Risk to personal safety and property
Biodiversity significance
Landscape value
Retention/removal priority
Recommended Tree Protection Zone using the AS 4970, including all associated data used to calculate the appropriate TPZ (development sites only)
Recommended residential dwelling Built-Form Setback (development sites only)

Arboricultural (tree) auditing and reporting fees are based on a per-tree basis (all below figures include GST).

For non-development sites:

<50 trees $24 per tree

50 to 500 trees $20 per tree

>500 trees $16 per tree

For development sites (including Tree Protection Zones and residential dwelling Built-Form Setbacks):

<50 trees $30 per tree

50 to 500 trees $26 per tree

>500 trees $22 per tree

Expert witness statements

Dean Nicolle has provided verbal and written expert witness statements for the Environment, Resources and Development Court (ERD) for tree-related matters on numerous occasions.

Expert witness fees are based on an hourly rate of $120 per hour (inc. GST).

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Species selection

Species selections can be provided for plants for a variety of sites in the greater Adelaide area and southern Australia more generally. Sites that may require species selections include private and public gardens, revegetation sites, parks, natural landscapes and streets.

Species selection fees are based on an hourly rate of $120 per hour (inc. GST).

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Currency Creek Arboretum tours and consultancy

Dean Nicolle can lead walk-and-talk groups or individual tours of the arboretum, which can focus on the group or individual’s interests and/or requirements. Visit the page of Currency Creek Arboretum for more details.

Currency Creek Arboretum tour and consultancy fees are based on an hourly rate of $120 per hour (inc. GST).

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