Definitions:
The Works: Being the work as detailed in the quotation.
The Contract: Being the works in the quotation requested/accepted/agreed by the client verbally/in writing/online.
The Contractor: Being McLeod Trees Pty Ltd.
The Client: Being the person or persons who has requested a quotation for works/ authorised the works to proceed & will normally be the owner of the trees specified or will be the owner’s representative in whatever capacity regarding said trees. It is the client’s responsibility to inform us if they are not the owner of the trees.
The Quotation: Being the written specification & costing for works as inspected & /or discussed on site & sent to the client. Quotations are valid for 30 days from their date after which period we reserve the right to amend costs/submit a new quotation.
General:
Insurance: McLeod Trees Pty Ltd holds a public/employee liability insurance of $20 million & will carry out a full safe work method statement & risk assessment before work commences. All works carried out will be in accordance with Australian Standards AS4373:2007 (Pruning of amenity trees).
Council permits: Local Government Authorities (LGA) have tree preservation laws, either local laws or overlays regarding vegetation controls. The Client will need to obtain all required permits prior to the works commencing, unless otherwise agreed in the contract.
Emergency Call Out: Set rates apply & are chargeable from time of instruction.
Additional Works: If, during the execution of the contract additional works are requested by the client that are outside of the original quotation, then their cost can be agreed on site or an additional quotation can be prepared which may necessitate further inspection(s) of the site.
Cancellation: 24 hours’ notice of cancellation of scheduled works is required, otherwise a minimum call out charge may be applied.
Payment: Payment is due upon satisfactory completion of the work unless otherwise specified on the invoice. Payment details are as per invoice.
Late Payment: If we do not receive payment by the payment due date, charges will apply & be added to your final bill. Where payments are not made on the due date, McLeod Trees Pty Ltd will be entitled to interest on the amount that is overdue at the Reserve Bank of Australia base rate prevailing for the period for which such monies are overdue together with 8% calculated on a day-to-day basis compounded with quarterly interests. The payment of such interest shall be without prejudice to any other rights or remedies of McLeod Trees Pty Ltd. Any legal or other charges incurred in the recovery of money or equipment shall be paid by the Customer.
Complaints: Any complaints/queries relating to the satisfactory completion of works must be raised with our office within 24 hours of receipt of invoice; otherwise, the contractor reserves the right to charge additional fees for further works/attendance/amendments.
Settlement of disputes: The contractor will do everything possible to resolve any misunderstandings arising from contract works to the satisfaction of both parties. If agreement cannot be reached, then a suitable third party for mediation/resolution purposes will be sought.
GST: is applicable & will be charged at the current rate.
Materials: We reserve the right to charge costs in advance of the job if trees or landscaping materials are required.
Privacy: Please be assured that all personal information we hold is kept in accordance with The Privacy Act 1988 (Privacy Act) and is not passed onto any third parties.
The Worksite:
Site Conditions: The contract price is based on site conditions as inspected by the estimator. The contractor reserves the right to levy additional costs subject to the degree of additional obstruction or to delay, postpone/rearrange works, as necessary. The works area must be accessible prior to commencement of works. The contractor does not accept responsibility for damage or loss incurred through the need to clear access for works.
Services: The client will, upon acceptance of contract, make any necessary arrangements with relevant authorities to make safe any external/ overhead power services. Any costs will be chargeable to the client. It is the responsibility of the client to inform the contractor of any underground services within the proposed area of works prior to commencement. The contractor will not accept liability for any damage to services not informed about & reserves the right to cancel works deemed a potential hazard. Any injury to operatives caused through contact with undisclosed services will remain the responsibility of the client.
Weather conditions: The contractor reserves the right to delay, postpone or cancel works affected by inclement/dangerous weather conditions & to resume works as soon as conditions allow.
Bats, Nesting birds & Bees: The contractor shall take all reasonable steps to ensure the safe retention of any wildlife habitats & reserves the right to delay, postpone or cancel works accordingly & to resume works as soon as practical.
Site Clearance: The contractor shall take all reasonable steps to ensure the worksite is left clear & safe at day’s end & on completion of all works.
Explanation of terms:
Crown works: (This is not a term used in the Australian Standard AS4373:2007) Being the removal of dead wood, dying, diseased, weak, suppressed, split, broken, hanging crossing & rubbing branches from the crown.
Epicormic growth: Small shoots emanating from the main trunk & stems.
Remove dead wood: Being the removal of all major dead wood in the tree down to 50mm diameter.
Formative prune: Being the minimal pruning of, usually, young trees to maintain optimum initial branch structure & crown balance in order to pre-empt potential future problems.
Trim/Face Up/ Box Up: Usually refers to hedge trimming & shrubs both evergreen & deciduous. Being the pruning back to flatten off or round off of growth to contain spread & maintain control/optimum visual appearance & shape.
Crown lift: Being the complete removal of lowest branches to main trunk &/or the reducing back in length of lowest branches thus increasing the height of the main crown line above ground level. Usually expressed in meters.
Crown thin: Being the removal of all branches as in ‘Clean out crown’ & the removal of further smaller diameter branches evenly throughout crown in order to lessen the crown density & thus improve light through the tree. Crown thinning will not result in any major alteration in the outline of the tree. Usually expressed as a percentage.
Crown reduce/reshape: Being the all-round reduction of the crown size of the tree (not just the tree’s overall height) unless otherwise specified. Usually expressed as a percentage. In some cases, only partial crown reduction is specified in order to clear buildings, street furniture etc. usually expressed in meters.
Weight reduction: Being the removal of minimal growth from the outer extremities of branches/limbs to reduce the weight of that branch/limb and overall loading on the tree.
Pollard: Being the removal of all growth back to main trunk or trunk knuckles, unless otherwise specified.
Removal to ground level/Fell/Fell by section: Being the complete removal of the tree, to as near to ground or surrounding soil level as reasonably possible, leaving a stump. Usually entails the dismantling of the tree in sections.
Grind out stump: In some cases, usually with smaller shallow stumps, it would be possible to grind out the whole stump. On larger stumps the grinding of radial roots down to a certain diameter/depth may be specified.
Any arising waste material shall be back filled into the hole/s: The waste that arises from the stump removal operation will be heaped up/spread & left on site.
Dig out: Refers to the stump & roots of a tree. Being the physical /manual digging out of a stump & its root system. Usually applies to smaller trees.
Treat stump to prevent re-growth: Being the poisoning of the stump at ground level following felling work effectively to prevent the tree from re-sprouting. Some species may require additional treatment at an extra charge.
Spraying: Tree/shrub spraying with insecticide/fungicide will be carried out by staff that have the appropriate license.
Consultancy Department
PRELIMINARY ARBORICULTURAL ASSESSMENT (PAA)
This Arboricultural Assessment, which is provided for the purpose of potential development and is an analysis of a number of trees, which are located within the subject site, within the council owned road reserve and within the adjacent properties.
The Preliminary Arboricultural Assessment identifies the health, condition, and worthiness of retention of the trees, with a view to comment on, and make recommendations as to, the future management of the same regarding proposed redevelopment of the site.
The report assesses all trees deemed to be significant and determines their status regarding Local Law or Planning Overlays which may affect vegetation management on the site, with a view to maximising usage of the land for redevelopment purposes.
The data is collected on site and details are provided in a spreadsheet format, in light of an absence of accurate proposed development plans, trees will be plotted approximately in the Plan of Survey provided. This report is for the purpose of future design and is not suitable for Council Submission.
It is proposed that upon creation of a proposed development plan, the trees will be further assessed as to their potential impact and subsequently this report updated to an Arboricultural Impact and Resolution Plan, to be used to accompany any Town Planning submission.
Preplanning to provide advice for design. Compliant with council requirements.
ARBORICULTURAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT AND RESOLUTION PLAN (AIA)
The tree assessment and resolution plan identifies the health, condition and worthiness of retention of the trees, with a view to comment on, and make recommendations as to, the future management of the same in regard to any proposed redevelopment of the site.
The report covers a number of aspects, but essentially provides comment on the impact of any vegetation on the potential for redevelopment of the site and provides guidelines and management techniques to address any potential issues.
The results and recommendations of this assessment outlines the guidelines and recommended management techniques required for addressing tree management on the site prior to the planning stage of the development.
The assessment provides information on the species, dimensions, health, structure, condition, useful life expectancy (ULE) and worthiness of retention of the trees and identify and resolve any potential conflicts between trees and the proposed development.
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TREE MANAGEMENT AND PROTECTION PLAN (TMPP)
Tree Management and Protection Plans Complaint with council requirements – Often requested by council as part of Planning Permit conditions.
Tree Management Plan (TMP) and a Tree Protection Plan (TPP), regards the protection of trees designated for retention located within the subject site, within adjoining neighbouring properties and the council owned road reserve.
Tree Management Reports are compiled in accordance with Council Planning Permits; so as to outline detailed information regarding the protection and management of the trees which have been stipulated for retention and subsequent protection, in the event of development proceeding within the site.
PROJECT ARBORIST (PA)
The Project Arborist must hold an AQF Level 5 or higher qualification in Arboriculture and will be responsible for interpreting the Tree Management Plan and ensuring the implementation of all tree protection measures throughout the development process. The Project Arborist will be required to attend the site at various stages throughout the development process, undertaking the required documentation as deemed necessary. No works are to be undertaken within the TPZ area, unless under the direct supervision of the Project Arborist to ensure the protection of the trees designated for retention.
Regular inspections by the project arborist must ensure that the location of all tree protection measures is not modified or altered throughout the life of the construction.
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