Planning approval does not finish the job of protecting trees.
Once construction begins, retained trees can be affected by excavation, soil compaction, machinery, material storage, altered ground levels and accidental physical damage.
A Tree Protection Management Plan, commonly abbreviated to TPMP, provides clear instructions for protecting retained trees throughout demolition and construction.
Banyan Tree Care prepares Tree Protection Management Plans in Melbourne for development projects where tree protection is required by council, planning permit conditions or arboricultural recommendations.
A TPMP translates arboricultural recommendations into practical construction-stage controls.
The document establishes how trees will be protected while work occurs around them and identifies responsibilities or supervision requirements where necessary.
Current Melbourne arboricultural guidance describes TPMPs as detailed construction-stage plans that can address protective fencing, monitoring, excavation protocols and site supervision.
Construction can affect trees without directly touching their trunks. Root severance, compaction and changes to the surrounding soil environment may affect tree health and stability. Storage of building materials or repeated vehicle movement around trees can also create avoidable impacts. A TPMP establishes the protection measures before those conflicts occur.
Physical separation forms an important part of many tree-protection strategies.
The TPMP may specify the location and timing of fencing or other controls designed to limit access to protected areas.
Site-specific circumstances sometimes mean standard fencing locations cannot be maintained throughout the project. In those situations the arborist may need to identify alternative protection measures appropriate to the proposed work.
Excavation near trees requires particular care because important roots may not be visible until work begins.
Depending on the project, a TPMP may establish requirements for arborist supervision, sensitive excavation or procedures to follow if roots are encountered.
The objective is to avoid uncontrolled root damage and allow site decisions to be made with arboricultural input.
AS 4970:2025 Protection of trees on development sites is the current Australian Standard providing guidance for retaining, protecting and integrating trees on development sites.
A TPMP may draw upon the current standard together with approved plans, planning permit conditions and project-specific arboricultural recommendations.
The terms can sometimes be confused.
A Tree Protection Plan generally provides the spatial information showing tree locations and protection areas.
A Tree Protection Management Plan contains the management procedures and controls that explain how protection is to be implemented.
Project requirements determine whether one or both documents are needed. Current Melbourne consulting practices make a similar distinction between management requirements and mapped protection layouts.
A tree-protection document becomes useful only when the people undertaking the work understand what it requires.
Clear instructions help builders, demolition contractors, machine operators and other trades understand where restrictions apply.
Where permit conditions require ongoing supervision, Banyan Tree Care can also provide Project Arborist Services during construction.
If council or your planning permit requires a Tree Protection Management Plan, send Banyan Tree Care the endorsed plans, permit conditions, arboricultural reports and property details.
We can review the documentation and determine the required scope.
A TPMP may be required by council, a planning permit or an arborist where construction occurs near retained trees. It is usually prepared before demolition or construction so protection measures are in place from the beginning.
No. An AIA assesses how proposed development may affect trees during planning. A TPMP explains how retained trees will be protected during demolition and construction. Some projects require both at different stages.
Sometimes. Permit conditions or the approved TPMP may require Project Arborist attendance at specific stages, such as tree protection setup or excavation near retained trees. Requirements vary between projects.
Work should follow the approved TPMP or permit conditions. A Project Arborist may need to assess the roots and provide instructions before excavation continues. Uncontrolled root cutting can affect tree health or stability.
