Browse Forums General Discussion 1 May 19, 2013 5:29 pm Hi, this is my first ever blog, and looking for some advice. I have submitted plans into council (Hornsby) and they have come back and told me they will reject my submission based on the proximity of my house to a blackbutt tree which happens to be on the nature trip, not my property. They have said that I have to move the house back by minimum 5mtrs to a setback of 12mtrs which presents the problem of encroachment of the 3mtr open space allowed from the rear boundary. It doesn't give me any back garden either for the kids to play in. Clarendon homes didn't pick up on this and neither did I. They have said that we can raise the slab and build inside this TPZ. Can anyone tell me if they have had similar issues and/or have had to build with this 'sensitive' construction? Hornsby council refer to it as an 'approved foundation'. http://www.ourfamilybuild.wordpress.com Land cleared 12.10.13 Slab 4.11.13 Frame 14.1.14 Brickwork 11.2.14 Roof Tiles 20.3.14 Electrical 9.5.14 Plasterer 17.5.14 Tiler 8.6 Re: Building in or near tree protection zones 2Jun 17, 2013 9:58 pm Hi Kath, This is also my first reply. Have you considered getting an arborist to advise you on this? They have special tests they can do to work out where the tree roots are. The TPZ is an arbitrary measure that could potentially be negotiated. http://www.councilapproval.com.au/wp-co ... ll2012.pdf may be relevant to the negotiation. If all else fails, try to get a site visit with a tree officer then ask them the question - 'what would you do if you were me?' I don't have anything to add regarding slabs or construction. Good luck Re: Building in or near tree protection zones 3Jun 27, 2013 6:12 am The arborist is a good idea as you may be able to build what you want without too much trouble. The next area to explore is to modify the slab to bridge over the tree roots. This would require an engineer who would probably design a slab with piers and a reduced edge beam. Because your project builder didn't pick this up it may be their problem but I don't know what kind of contract you have so this is just a suggestion to explore. Re: Building in or near tree protection zones 4Jul 05, 2013 4:51 pm We're in the same council area and have lodged a DA for an extension which the council arbortist has deemed is too close to a large gumtree. They have requested a 3.5m setback. For us since we have a sloped block we are able to move the footings so that it is 3.5m away from the tree and cantilever the extension over the TPZ. In hindsight it would have been better to engage an Arborist first then lodge the DA it would have saved a month of stuffing around. Re: Building in or near tree protection zones 5Jul 05, 2013 9:12 pm Thanks for all your replies. Well we got feedback today after council reviewed an arborerport from Eco Design which was a sensible response and we think they have knocked back our plans based on Clarendon's call today. We have altered the slab, had sensitive construction methods applied but we think this is not enough. We will know more on Monday. For us to move back out of the TPZ we would not be able to build the house. This tree, a blackbutt is on council land. (The nature strip). What's next? Any ideas? http://www.ourfamilybuild.wordpress.com Land cleared 12.10.13 Slab 4.11.13 Frame 14.1.14 Brickwork 11.2.14 Roof Tiles 20.3.14 Electrical 9.5.14 Plasterer 17.5.14 Tiler 8.6 Re: Building in or near tree protection zones 6Oct 21, 2013 7:24 pm Can you garner support from your neighbour's in the street for the removal of the tree? Has the tree dropped any branches recently and could be deemed as dangerous? Requiring a 12 metre setback is ridiculous. Have you considered taking them to the Land & Environment Court? By the way, I think some of my original ideas above may be useful. Have you tried them? Re: Building in or near tree protection zones 7Oct 22, 2013 10:24 am I agree with Mount Colah. Start with the problem and work back, not the other way around. Ie try to have the tree removed. Are blackbutts protected there? If so, protected trees can still be removed sometimes. Some councils will allow you to remove nature strip trees - fees may be involved. IF you can get the tree removed, if the roots are in proximity to your foundations there might be a hydration period needed for some months for the soil to restore its moisture balance before you can build (i read this on a soil report once). Check it all out. Hi all, sorting out the ducted air con for a 350sqm double story house. Does this placement sound reasonable to you? Also, I plan to have 6 zones I think. Living room… 0 0 Hi all, sorting out the ducted air con for a 350sqm double story house. I think i plan to have 6 zones I think. Living room (mainly for entertainment so not used often),… 0 0 Our standard double-glazed window is tested to achieve, Rw 34, and can be glazed to suit Rw 39. The price is good too... 3 9470 |