Australian Tree Association Ltd

Australian Tree Assoc · 31st October 2011, 12:40 PM

The long awaited arboricultural association designed to help you grow your business is here.

Australian Tree Association was registered on 28 October 2011 and is currently in the midst of setting up it's ABN, TFN, website etc.

Whilst we at this specific moment in time are unable to process applications, bank monies etc we felt it important to make an announcement and let the community know we are here.

We will keep this thread updated with developments as they occur.

Please visit our website and feel free to post your comments and suggestions of what it is you want, what it is that you need

Australian Tree Association Ltd

Our Objectives are:-

To facilitate balanced, holistic and integrated tree management.

To promote and encourage Australian qualifications and education in
arboriculture.

To be active in the development of education and training for the arboricultural
industry.

To discourage organisational membership being a prerequisite or the mandate to
obtaining of work or education.

To procure arboricultural information for the public domain and to disseminate
such information.

To interact with other facets of tree management including but not limited to
forestry, agriculture, town planning, landscape design and architecture, nursery,
firewood, environment and conservation.

To support research in arboriculture.

To further public interest and education in the care of trees.

To recognise personal achievements, competencies and qualifications without
discrimination based on tenure.

To promote competition between arboricultural associations.

To encourage members to work to Australian Standards, Regulations and Laws
where they apply and deviation from such to be justified.

To develop and continually update a basic arboricultural certification for the
public domain.

To actively seek to remove exclusivity, barriers and other impediments to any
particular group, association, business or individual pursuing business or
enterprise in the arboricultural industry where they are legally entitled to do so.

Australian Tree Assoc · 26th November 2011, 07:53 AM

The bank account is now open. We can now process memberships, sponsors and advertising.

Membership is only $120 per calendar year. All members must be Australian residents and over 18 years old. Once a member you get to:-

Use "member ATA" or "member Australian Tree Association" after your name on business cards and stationary. You cannot use it on your advertising and there is to be no misrepresentation that a business is a member.
Access to a private forum at Treeworld where you can confidentially bring up issues, problems and ideas. It's very open book.
Online access to minutes and meetings.
FREE listing on the ATA website.

To use ATA's logo on your website, advertising etc you do not have to be a member.

It is $300 per calendar year to use it. More details here.

To advertise on the ATA website you do not have to be a member.

There's only two large boxes available @ $2500 per annum. These will always be above the smaller boxes.

Smaller 1/2 sized boxes are available at $1000 per annum.

Both are site wide ads with a link. All details can be found on the website. This is extremely good value and a ground floor opportunity. Advertisers will retain their position in the pecking order (for each category) unless they fail to renew (just like Yellow Pages).
Join| sponsor or Advertise with ATA

Victor Lindsay · 27th November 2011, 11:22 AM

Nice job! 12 and 13 on the objectives a little fuzzy though.

Good luck guys.

Australian Tree Assoc · 27th November 2011, 02:01 PM

To help make it less fuzzy.

Quote:

12. To develop and continually update a basic arboricultural certification for the
public domain.

13. To actively seek to remove exclusivity, barriers and other impediments to any
particular group, association, business or individual pursuing business or
enterprise in the arboricultural industry where they are legally entitled to do so.

(12) ATA will develop it's own Australian version of a certification for everybody's use and keep it updated. It is envisaged that the concept is anyone can take the certification and be accredited for it without being a member. It will not be an AQF qualification (like ISA Cert Arb is not an AQF qualification) but it will be an Australian one.

(13) This means ending of people writing "must be an ISA arborist", or "must be a QAA member" etc.

Or contemplating even further degradation of the industry by other orgs to "must be an accredited member of US HERE" etc ....

In other words if a person or business is allowed to work on trees then to help remove any barriers to do that which are generally enforced at the local government and association level. If Fred Blogs is legally allowed to work then he should be and to say no because he doesn't belong to some boys club is totally inappropriate.

If an enterprise or individual has the respective requirements required to do the job then they should be able to do the job.

Right now there are orgs campaigning only their people should get the work, and of course to be one of "their people" requires money, and if they do not like you even though you know your stuff then too bad, you have just been MAFIOSO'd out. Those types of systems need to be brought down unless regulation changes the requirements like for electricians etc where a minimum standard applies by law and is enforced by government not some org.

Australian Tree Assoc · 1st December 2011, 06:24 PM

Some recent enquiries to us reveal some other industry organisations are requesting copies of tree reports, copies of OH&S Policy etc to become validated/qualified members etc.

What is concerning those members is that the organisation is building a library with their information and that organisation people are reading this material. People who are in the organisation and likely market competitors are looking over your intellectual property (IP).

Some businesses have tailor made their own OH&S policies etc. Some have their own unique report writing skills that is their IP and market advantage, they are not comfortable sharing that with anyone.

Let it be known that we will not do such a thing. We respect your intellectual property and word.

We do not have a document search fee or even do searches. We accept (like insurance company proposals) your word and we know that the market place will soon catch you out if you lie.

We are truly the easiest going association around, come join us and forget the cloak and dagger routine so entrenched elsewhere. It's about people and trees mate not empires and interrogation.

Australian Tree Assoc · 15th December 2011, 08:23 AM

We have stickers available for sale, you do not have to be a member to buy them.

They come in two sizes, large 30cm (1 foot old scale) and 7.5cm.

They are made from outdoor UV vinyl and are on a white background.

Stick them on your trucks, chippers etc.

Visit this link to purchase them, you can pay via Paypal or CreditCard, they will be mailed out to you and the price includes postage. You postal address will be asked for when purchasing by the software.

Stickers for your truck etc

Eric Frei · 21st December 2011, 05:52 PM

As both a consulting arborist and a practicing arborist I wish to share with you what the other places are charging for an appropriate membership for me.

With ATA I also get a free listing and link to my website included for that $120.

ATA - Australian Tree Association	AA or old ISAAC/NAAA	QAA
$120	$750	$1000

Australian Tree Assoc · 5th February 2012, 11:38 AM

We welcome aboard our sponsors. Drouin Tree Services secured 2nd position followed by Absolute Tree Work in third and then Brisbane Tree Lopping 4th.

Remember that whilst they keep their advertising current they retain their position (like Yellow Pages). However we remind all readers that the larger boxes if taken will always appear at the top of the list but is restricted to only two for this year.

We are extremely grateful to you for supporting us and the industry. At this time all Directors at ATA work voluntarily toward the objectives. We responded in official capacity to the new OHS rules, details can be found in the members forum here and where the thread was discussed.

We also take this opportunity to welcome Darren James aboard as a Director. The web page will soon be updated with his details.

Australian Tree Assoc · 1st April 2012, 09:32 PM

Here is a typical example of what ATA is trying to stop, a report saying you need to be an Arboriculture Australia member to do the job (PDF attached).

Plus:-

Page 8 is also suggesting that to clear the site of a single Poinciana tree near the front that is outside of the TPZ you need to be supervised by a Level 5 Project Arborist. Not really necessary, the report states prior to works that a TPZ fence/identifier be installed.

The report does not call upon any qualifications for the people cutting the trees or pruning the neighbours trees for clearance to the proposed building (Page 6:- "Some pruning may be required to the lower scaffold limb to achieve construction. It would be prudent to prune the canopy to remove deadwood prior to construction") but insists on supervision and an association membership. One would think any arborist (Level 3) would require no supervision and would be quite competent at removing the tree and staying out of the TPZ area, as far as the pruning goes it would simply have to be minimal to provide the clearance required and comply to AS4373.

We see this report not in accordance with our Constitution on these parts:-

Quote:

4. To discourage organisational membership being a prerequisite or the mandate to obtaining of work or education.

13. To actively seek to remove exclusivity, barriers and other impediments to any particular group, association, business or individual pursuing business or enterprise in the arboricultural industry where they are legally entitled to do so.

Builders/developers/home-owners please note that there is no 100% bound format for report writing and often the individual who writes the reports determines the conditions for you. This could mean additional headaches and costs, this report says weekly visits and a certificate, so if you ring around and ask for a Level5 to do that on a weekly basis and their charge is $100 a pop and the development takes 26 weeks you have just blown $2600. There is no predetermined time and as these trees are owned by the neighbour and there is neighbours all around so there's many eyes on what is happening on a small residential block.

In addition the supervision for what seems a basic tree removal of a Poinciana at the front and possible pruning of some lower limbs of Tree1 having to be supervised by a L5 is more cost. The report didn't stipulate that pruning had to be in accordance with Australian Standards (AS4373) nor a qualification level of the person doing it. Could have been easily dealt with by writing something like, "pruning of Tree1 for clearance of the proposed building to be minimal and in accordance with AS4373 performed by a L3 arborist".... that would negate the need for supervision.

So remember, you do not have to agree and accept all of the arborist's imposed conditions, you are the client, you are paying, so establish up front what you expect. Agree on visit frequencies. Look at the technical aspect of the tree work, is an arborist really required? Look at the need for supervision.

Here's the view from the road, you can see the poinciana on the left before the old house.

Here's the back of the old house and you can see the large gum just the other side of the fence.

Here's the view from the top of the block toward the road, note there's no trees in the backyard of the lot at all.

Regards
Eric Frei
Secretary and One of Three Directors of Australian Tree Association Ltd
Dip Hort, Dip Hort (Arb), Cert III Hort (Arb), 14 years SE QLD Experience
Posted on behalf of ATA

Australian Tree Assoc · 1st April 2012, 09:41 PM

Copy of email sent to the author.

Quote:

Jeremy,

I am contacting you to in regards to a recent report which was sent to us (Australian Tree Association Ltd) for our perusal.

Having read the report with others we found it to be bias in favour of Arboriculture Australia members and restrictive to some tree businesses/contractors who may not have a Level 5 available for supervision although they may be totally competent to do the work.

We have the view that you should change your writing style and bias, the necessity for an association membership to go about ones work is in conflict with ATA's Constitution and not in the best interest of a free competitive market place we strive for in Australia.

Full details can be viewed and even commented upon at Treeworld on this link:-

Australian Tree Association Ltd

Regards
Eric Frei
Secretary, Director ATA

We at ATA will act on such practices and highlight the fact that it is happening all the time. Simply not on.

Australian Tree Assoc · 23rd April 2012, 09:09 PM

The Veteran Tree Group .... just a free google blog and free Facebook site, that's all.

It does not have an ABN nor is it a registered company or business name. It is not a legal entity, it is not a non for profit organisation, it doesn't disclose a members list. One is left to speculate that it is some sort of emotional front to lure lucrative work for the creators of the group.

Their great interest and protest over a tree which was cut down at Burleigh Caravan Park that was far from veteran status must raise the eyebrow as to their real motives. Are they simply a cloaked conservation group? Are they re-aligning their scope to interfere with trees well prior to the tree's veteran status? Where will it end, debating about 140mm potted nursery stock?

Looking closely at the Burleigh Heads Caravan Park case:-

Burleigh tree removal sparks backlash at council - ABC Gold & Tweed Coasts - Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Quote:

18 April, 2012 1:12PM AEST
Burleigh tree removal sparks backlash at council
By Candice Marshall and ABC News

Council crews have removed a decades-old fig tree from a tourist park at Burleigh Heads.

Local councillor Greg Betts says there had been a number of complaints about bats feeding in the fig tree, as well as health and safety considerations.

He says that council had no other option but to remove the fig tree.

"It was right in amongst the van sites - the tree was forcing out the sites. It is only a small tourist park so we don't have a lot of sites to give up.

"Any old tree is sad to lose but sometimes you just can't avoid it. Progress moves on and you have to make sure you don't move backwards as far as what we are providing, as far as the tourist offer we have in Burleigh and unfortunately that tree was pretty much in the way and we are going to have to compensate with other trees - we are doing a replanting to compensate."

Arborist Sean Freeman says based on a 1966 aerial of the park the tree would be in the range of 30 to 50 years old.

He also says he hasn't seen any council management plan for the tourist park, indicating council made a rash decision.

"That suggests to me that this decision was made on the run and that is not the way to manage incredibly long-lived assets like trees."

A council spokesman also says the tree's root system was beginning to impact on underground services and it was at risk of splitting, however Sean Freeman says that doesn't tally with his findings.

"The rationale is flimsy - it doesn't stand up to even a cursory examination. I have inspected this tree twice in the last three years and I haven't seen such a weakness within the tree."

He says the presence of bats also doesn't justify the council's actions.

'There's no question that bat droppings smell and bats are noisy and they can be an irritation - they can be an irritation even if you are there for only a short time as many of the park users are. But is that the reason why we should remove some of our oldest living assets? I am not sure that I think it is."

Sean adds he wants Gold Coast City Council to have a long term management plan for vegetation.

"We want to see the evidence of planning. We don't want to see decisions made on the hoof - If I jump up and down and make enough noise then maybe the city councillor will do something for me - I don't want a city council that makes decisions on that basis."

From the article:-

Quote:

Arborist Sean Freeman says based on a 1966 aerial of the park the tree would be in the range of 30 to 50 years old.

Really! That's not a veteran tree by any means especially for a fig.

Freeman continues:-

Quote:

He also says he hasn't seen any council management plan for the tourist park, indicating council made a rash decision.

Really. You may not have a management plan for flood waters inundating your property but it certainly doesn't make it a rash decision to dredge a sandbar to rid the excess water. This simply is an emotional grab. Further investigation will be made into GCC's systems as we do not believe that 30 years to 50 years of a fig tree in a caravan park surrounded by occupiable sites has not gone without complaint due bird and bat droppings plus noise.

Freeman reiterates:-

Quote:

"There's no question that bat droppings smell and bats are noisy and they can be an irritation - they can be an irritation even if you are there for only a short time as many of the park users are. But is that the reason why we should remove some of our oldest living assets? I am not sure that I think it is."

This tree is perhaps not even mature, in a commercial site, occupying considerable area for root and canopy zone, causing complaints due to noise and litter, impacting upon many people and services. How would you feel as a tourist if you had to put up with screeching bats all night and awaken to a stench of staining faeces upon your assets?

There is no shortage of cases where vegetation is removed due to bats here in Australia. These are not cute little fruit bats but large bats, some people call them fox terriers with wings. Also in Queensland bats have been the centre of attention due to the Hendra virus. Removal of vegetation that attracts bats is a viable strategy.

Freeman continues:-

Quote:

Sean adds he wants Gold Coast City Council to have a long term management plan for vegetation.

"We want to see the evidence of planning. We don't want to see decisions made on the hoof - If I jump up and down and make enough noise then maybe the city councillor will do something for me - I don't want a city council that makes decisions on that basis."

Freeman works for/with Terraark based on the Gold Coast. They may have some self interest here and pick up consulting work. In this instance good planning would possibly mean the tree should not have been planted and if truly remnant then removed years ago. This is a commercial site with limited space that has to make a solid return. It is one of the few caravan parks left on the Gold Coast.

If the wishes of Freeman were extrapolated then think .... if the tree grew to twice the size, became a true veteran tree then would you let people camp under it? Could you risk targets (vans/people/tents) beneath a veteran tree in a caravan park? What would the m2 loss of land use be in a caravan park?

Australian Tree Association will continue it's investigation into this matter and not take it lightly that biased perspectives and pseudo groups interfere with reasonable and logical tree management. We will keep you posted.

Drouin Tree Service · 23rd April 2012, 10:55 PM

They want to give the van park reports and assesments and other diatribe over 3-5 years get there dough $$$ and then say it should be removed.

Its called giving themselves a job.

What they don't like is not being asked and just stick there nose in anyway.

I say congratulations Gold Coast council!!You have saved the rate payers plenty and made the van park a more enjoyable place to stay!

Australian Tree Assoc · 28th April 2012, 06:10 PM

We have acquired a copy of a 2003 report from Terraark for this caravan park site.

Read the report then see the hypocrisy.

Page 8 section 4.3 Tree Root Upheaval discusses particularly the fig trees.

Page 9 section 4.5 Bats also discusses particularly the long fruiting period of fig trees.

Even back in 2003 the issues were well known however the complaints have kept coming.

Page 3 section 3.1 Construction Damage and increased park usage states:-

Quote:

Where it might once have been possible and desirable to include broad spreading canopy trees with large root systems such as the Fig trees, these trees are now inappropriate since space has become an issue with the increase in usage demands of the site.

From The Facebook page of VTG here are some of the comments, please also know that Jan Allen is the proprietor of Terraark.

Quote:

Jan Allen We had planned to nominate this tree for Councils significant tree register as part of the heritage of Burleigh Tourist Park...interestingly the caretakers building is listed on Councils heritage register but not any of the trees in the park.
17 April at 00:36 · 1
Jon Atkinson Who does the tree belong to? That's a rhetorical metaphysical question. Proper compensation must be paid for destroying a tree like that. A tree tax. To make saw-happy 'owners' think twice.
17 April at 01:42 · 1
Saving Our Trees Crying shame.
17 April at 05:59 · 1
Missy Nuttenshaver what a loss of a beautiful tree
17 April at 06:08
Jane Chen cut down all the tree and put them in a museum and charge ....
17 April at 06:12
Glenn Fairclough Thats just so figging wrong! Shoot the bats I say. Bats reproduce and grow much quicker than trees.
17 April at 06:35
Gabrielle Tindall Live with the flying foxes! Humans can be so precious about themselves.
17 April at 13:15 · 2
John Phelps It doesn't look like its had to many bats in it cause they will strip a tree of all it's leaves an just about kill it with all the piss that comes out of the bats. kill / scarce the bats not the tree!!!!!
17 April at 14:22
Lenice Carr Outrageous!!!!
17 April at 15:08 · 1
Sean Freeman John in this instance the bats were not roosting in the tree, merely visiting, feeding (yes for sure passing urine and droppings) then flying off. The significant negative health impacts on the health and vigour of trees generally results when bats camp in the tree canopy for months at a time. This was merely a nuisance issue...and one that was being complained about by temporary interstate visitors to a caravan park.
17 April at 15:20 · 1
Sean Freeman Since when is the tree management of this city decided by the complaints of a tiny (literally single figures) number of tourists?
17 April at 15:21 · 1
Sean Freeman Brisbane has a strategy for its public trees (a written document that examines all issues arising from public trees) Ipswich has an Urban Forest Strategy...what do we have???? Nothing except this kind of knee jerk reaction.
17 April at 15:23 · 2
Jan Allen Jerk being the important word in that concept
18 April at 01:37 · 1

Clearly the entire story wasn't told and the play on emotions for the coarse of action taken by GCC as it didn't please them. The reference that Jan Allen makes "jerk" may be to an individual or the entire council, either way it seems there is more to why they are not happy than just the removal of this tree.

Australian Tree Assoc · 8th May 2012, 10:44 AM

A long running dispute between ISA (USA) and AA (Australia) certainly raises the eyebrow.

Both entities now have lawyers engaged.

AA should soon be producing something substantial in response to ISA as it was an AGM agenda item for 30 April 2012 - Hobart.

Some extracts:-

Source:

Quote:

A. CHARGING AND COLLECTION OF UNAUTHORIZED CHAPTER FEES
RELATED TO ISA MEMBERSHIP AND CERTIFICATION.
The Executive Committee has reviewed information indicating that Arboriculture Australia has
charged and collected from Chapter members and Certification Program participants a number of
fees well in excess of the fees approved by the ISA Board of Directors and the Certification
Board, respectively. With respect to ISA membership fees and dues, the ISA Australia Chapter
has charged an unauthorized “brokerage fee.” As stated on the AA membership application,
these membership fees are as follows: ISA membership dues of $180 AUD, while the actual
ISA dues are $122 AUD ($125 US); and, ISA dues including both ISA publications of $210
AUD, while the actual ISA dues are $146 AUD ($150 US).
In addition, Arboriculture Australia collects Certification Program fees that are more than twice
the amount established and authorized by the ISA Certification Board. Specifically, the AA
charges for the ISA Certification Program are: $330 AUD for members, while the ISA rate is
only $146 AUD ($150 US); and, $550 AUD for non-members, while the ISA non-member rate
is only $244 AUD ($250 US).

Quote:

B. UNAUTHORIZED CHAPTER ACTIVITIES OUTSIDE AUSTRALIA.
Next, as explained by ISA Executive Director Jim Skiera, and in our October 24th letter, certain
Arboriculture Australia activities are contrary to the approved and agreed upon Component
geographic boundaries (region) established in the Chapter Memorandum of Understanding with
ISA, and the ISA Bylaws rules and restrictions related to Component organizations. It appears
clear that AA has engaged in activities outside Australia, contrary to the Chapter’s rights and
responsibilities under ISA governance rules and agreements.
More specifically, Article XI.B.1 of the ISA Bylaws defines a Chapter as: “A group of ISA
Members and other interested individuals within a distinct and definable geographical region.”
The Memorandum of Understanding permits AA to act as an ISA affiliate only within a “specific
geographic area, namely Australia.”
In addition, Arboriculture Australia’s activities in Hong Kong appear to be in direct conflict with
the existing ISA Memorandum of Understanding with the ISA Hong Kong/China Station, which
allows the Hong Kong/China Station to act as the sole ISA affiliate in the geographic area of
Hong Kong and China. This significant problem also was explained in the October 24th ISA
letter.

Quote:

First, it appears that AA is conducting credentialing program activities outside of the
geographic boundaries in the approved Memorandum of Understanding. Therefore, the issuance
of the Registered Arborist designations constitutes another example of unauthorized Chapter
activities outside of Australia.
Second, and of particular concern, the Australia Chapter appears to be improperly promoting and
operating a credentialing program in competition with the ISA Certification Program. Your
November 28th letter indicates that the Chapter has encouraged the Hong Kong government to
accept individuals who have obtained an AA Registered Arborist membership credential as
sufficiently trained to perform arboriculture services.

Quote:

it appears that AA is actively operating a separate credentialing
program that directly competes with the ISA Certification Program in Australia and Hong Kong,
and possibly elsewhere in the region.

Quote:

If no official response is received, or if the Chapter does not fully address these deficiencies and
agree to the above corrective actions, the Executive Committee will recommend to the Board of
Directors that Arboriculture Australia be sanctioned, which would include the suspension or loss
of ISA Chapter status.

The final communication from ISA was on 21 March 2012 ....

Quote:

In closing I and the ISA Board wish Arboriculture Australia to understand that ISA desires a continued working relationship with AA. We understand AA has the option to disenfranchise with ISA, however the ISA Board robustly believes this would not be in the best interest of ISA or our members in Australia.
Kind regards,
Colin Bashford, ISA President

Indicative of the graphics on ATA's website.

ATA Recertification

Australian Tree Assoc · 25th May 2012, 08:26 AM

As or 24 May 2012 ISA has severed it ties with Arboriculture Australia.

Quote:

Notice from the ISA Board of Directors

On behalf of the ISA Board of Directors, I would like to inform you of a change in the status of the relationship between ISA and Arboriculture Australia.

You may already be aware that members of the AA leadership team and the ISA Board of Directors have been in discussion regarding some concerns about AA membership fees, membership categories, geographic territories, and matters related to the ISA certification program. Dialogues on these conversations have been ongoing for more than two years. The AA website includes a document archive that outlines many of the communications between the two organizations specifically pertaining to these topics.

While we make every effort not to interfere with or impede chapter operations, in this case there are some strategic and operational issues at the chapter level that have caused AA to fall out of compliance with ISA corporate policy.

By order of the ISA Board of Directors, effective May 24, 2012, AA will no longer be acknowledged as a Chapter of ISA and will lose all rights afforded to an ISA Component. As a result of this change, Arboriculture Australia will no longer be permitted to display any logos, trademarks, or language that imply that a formal relationship between the two organizations exists.

As a member of ISA or as an ISA credential holder from Australia, I’m sure you may have questions about what this means for you. ISA will continue to provide the following programs and services to ISA members, ISA credential holders, and arborists who reside in Australia.

· ISA members from Australia will still be eligible to fully participate on ISA committees as ‘at large’ members.

· Competitors from the AA chapter who have won eligibility at the 2012 AATCC and or 2012 APTCC for the 2012 ITCC in Portland will be eligible to complete in the 2012 ITCC. Competitors will be recognized as representing Australia.

· ISA members in Australia will continue to receive ISA membership benefits including Arborist News or Arboriculture and Urban Forestry as requested, ISA Today, Planting Seeds, and online access to the ISA members-only portion of the ISA website.

· All ISA credential holders will continue to be serviced by the ISA headquarters office. Certification exams will be marketed and offered in Australia exclusively as computer-based tests until an alternative solution has been identified.

· CEUs will be recorded for ISA credential holders when submitted to ISA Headquarters. ISA will provide an email address and FAX number for members to directly submit their earned CEUs to the ISA office.

· ISA will continue to allow AA to provide CEU opportunities for ISA Certified Arborist in Australia pursuant to ISA Certification Board policies.

· ISA will directly bill and accept payment for ISA member dues and credential fees.

· The membership fee for an ISA professional membership will be $125 instead of $180.

ISA’s goal is to advance the professional practice of arboriculture so that our communities are safer, healthier, and more sustainable. I hope that you understand that in or efforts to achieve this goal, ISA must maintain the position of advocating for the needs of a global organization and a global arboricultural workforce, which may not always align with how a chapter desires to operate in their local or regional territory.

In the event that you experience any service issues during this transition, I encourage you to contact John Steinbacher, ISA Membership and Component Relations Manager, at jsteinbacher@isa-arbor.com or 011 1 217 355 9411.

Thank you for your support of ISA and the arboriculture profession. I look forward to a continued relationship with the arboriculture community in Australia. If you have any questions about this decision, please feel free to contact me by email at jskiera@isa-arbor.com or phone at 011 1 217 355 9411.

Regards,

Jim Skiera

ISA Executive Director

31st October 2011, 12:40 PM	#1
Australian Tree Assoc Sponsor Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Australia Posts: 16	Australian Tree Association Ltd The long awaited arboricultural association designed to help you grow your business is here. Australian Tree Association was registered on 28 October 2011 and is currently in the midst of setting up it's ABN, TFN, website etc. Whilst we at this specific moment in time are unable to process applications, bank monies etc we felt it important to make an announcement and let the community know we are here. We will keep this thread updated with developments as they occur. Please visit our website and feel free to post your comments and suggestions of what it is you want, what it is that you need Australian Tree Association Ltd Our Objectives are:- To facilitate balanced, holistic and integrated tree management. To promote and encourage Australian qualifications and education in arboriculture. To be active in the development of education and training for the arboricultural industry. To discourage organisational membership being a prerequisite or the mandate to obtaining of work or education. To procure arboricultural information for the public domain and to disseminate such information. To interact with other facets of tree management including but not limited to forestry, agriculture, town planning, landscape design and architecture, nursery, firewood, environment and conservation. To support research in arboriculture. To further public interest and education in the care of trees. To recognise personal achievements, competencies and qualifications without discrimination based on tenure. To promote competition between arboricultural associations. To encourage members to work to Australian Standards, Regulations and Laws where they apply and deviation from such to be justified. To develop and continually update a basic arboricultural certification for the public domain. To actively seek to remove exclusivity, barriers and other impediments to any particular group, association, business or individual pursuing business or enterprise in the arboricultural industry where they are legally entitled to do so. __________________ Australian Tree Association Ltd - The nationwide industry association that members trust ... delivering integrity through transparency

26th November 2011, 07:53 AM	#2
Australian Tree Assoc Sponsor Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Australia Posts: 16	Re: Australian Tree Association Ltd The bank account is now open. We can now process memberships, sponsors and advertising. Membership is only $120 per calendar year. All members must be Australian residents and over 18 years old. Once a member you get to:- Use "member ATA" or "member Australian Tree Association" after your name on business cards and stationary. You cannot use it on your advertising and there is to be no misrepresentation that a business is a member. Access to a private forum at Treeworld where you can confidentially bring up issues, problems and ideas. It's very open book. Online access to minutes and meetings. FREE listing on the ATA website. To use ATA's logo on your website, advertising etc you do not have to be a member. It is $300 per calendar year to use it. More details here. To advertise on the ATA website you do not have to be a member. There's only two large boxes available @ $2500 per annum. These will always be above the smaller boxes. Smaller 1/2 sized boxes are available at $1000 per annum. Both are site wide ads with a link. All details can be found on the website. This is extremely good value and a ground floor opportunity. Advertisers will retain their position in the pecking order (for each category) unless they fail to renew (just like Yellow Pages). Join\| sponsor or Advertise with ATA __________________ Australian Tree Association Ltd - The nationwide industry association that members trust ... delivering integrity through transparency

27th November 2011, 11:22 AM	#3
Victor Lindsay Mature tree Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: ? Posts: 441	Re: Australian Tree Association Ltd Nice job! 12 and 13 on the objectives a little fuzzy though. Good luck guys.

1st December 2011, 06:24 PM	#5
Australian Tree Assoc Sponsor Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Australia Posts: 16	Re: Australian Tree Association Ltd Some recent enquiries to us reveal some other industry organisations are requesting copies of tree reports, copies of OH&S Policy etc to become validated/qualified members etc. What is concerning those members is that the organisation is building a library with their information and that organisation people are reading this material. People who are in the organisation and likely market competitors are looking over your intellectual property (IP). Some businesses have tailor made their own OH&S policies etc. Some have their own unique report writing skills that is their IP and market advantage, they are not comfortable sharing that with anyone. Let it be known that we will not do such a thing. We respect your intellectual property and word. We do not have a document search fee or even do searches. We accept (like insurance company proposals) your word and we know that the market place will soon catch you out if you lie. We are truly the easiest going association around, come join us and forget the cloak and dagger routine so entrenched elsewhere. It's about people and trees mate not empires and interrogation. __________________ Australian Tree Association Ltd - The nationwide industry association that members trust ... delivering integrity through transparency

15th December 2011, 08:23 AM	#6
Australian Tree Assoc Sponsor Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Australia Posts: 16	Re: New post APPROVAL We have stickers available for sale, you do not have to be a member to buy them. They come in two sizes, large 30cm (1 foot old scale) and 7.5cm. They are made from outdoor UV vinyl and are on a white background. Stick them on your trucks, chippers etc. Visit this link to purchase them, you can pay via Paypal or CreditCard, they will be mailed out to you and the price includes postage. You postal address will be asked for when purchasing by the software. Stickers for your truck etc __________________ Australian Tree Association Ltd - The nationwide industry association that members trust ... delivering integrity through transparency

5th February 2012, 11:38 AM	#8
Australian Tree Assoc Sponsor Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Australia Posts: 16	Re: New post APPROVAL We welcome aboard our sponsors. Drouin Tree Services secured 2nd position followed by Absolute Tree Work in third and then Brisbane Tree Lopping 4th. Remember that whilst they keep their advertising current they retain their position (like Yellow Pages). However we remind all readers that the larger boxes if taken will always appear at the top of the list but is restricted to only two for this year. We are extremely grateful to you for supporting us and the industry. At this time all Directors at ATA work voluntarily toward the objectives. We responded in official capacity to the new OHS rules, details can be found in the members forum here and where the thread was discussed. We also take this opportunity to welcome Darren James aboard as a Director. The web page will soon be updated with his details. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Australian Tree Association Ltd - The nationwide industry association that members trust ... delivering integrity through transparency

23rd April 2012, 10:55 PM	#12
Drouin Tree Service Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 1,727	Re: Australian Tree Association Ltd They want to give the van park reports and assesments and other diatribe over 3-5 years get there dough $$$ and then say it should be removed. Its called giving themselves a job. What they don't like is not being asked and just stick there nose in anyway. I say congratulations Gold Coast council!!You have saved the rate payers plenty and made the van park a more enjoyable place to stay! __________________ Drouin Tree Services \| Excavator Hire - Drouin and SE Gippsland \| Landclearing Melbourne

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