About Stem Arboriculture
Professional arboricultural consulting led by Graeme Lewis, AQF Level 5 Arborist, serving Melbourne and regional Victoria for over 40 years.
Graeme Lewis
AQF Level 5 Arborist
Graeme Lewis is the founding principal of Stem Arboriculture, a specialist arboricultural consulting firm based on Victoria's Bellarine Peninsula. With more than four decades in the arboricultural industry, Graeme brings a rare combination of deep botanical knowledge, practical field experience, and a thorough understanding of Victorian planning law and building regulations.
Graeme holds an AQF Level 5 qualification in Arboriculture — the highest vocational qualification available in the Australian arboricultural industry — and has worked with architects, building designers, town planners, local councils, lawyers, engineers, homeowners, schools, and churches throughout his career.
He is qualified to provide expert witness evidence in formal proceedings, having appeared before the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), Planning Panels Victoria, and the County Court of Victoria. His reports are prepared in accordance with the Expert Witness Code of Conduct.
- AQF Level 5 Arboriculture — highest vocational qualification in the Australian industry
- 40+ years of arboricultural and consulting experience
- Expert Witness — VCAT, Planning Panels Victoria, County Court of Victoria
- Reports compliant with AS4970-2009 and ISA TRAQ methodology
- [PLACEHOLDER — additional qualifications, memberships, or certifications]
Our Approach to Arboricultural Consulting
Stem Arboriculture's consulting philosophy is built on independence, rigour, and clarity.
Independence
As a specialist consulting firm with no commercial tree-work division, Stem Arboriculture has no financial interest in recommending removal or remediation work. Our advice is objective.
Solution-Focused
We look for practical solutions that retain trees where possible and support good development outcomes — not just risk avoidance. Every project is approached with the goal of a workable result.
Standard Compliance
All reports comply with applicable Australian Standards (AS4970-2009) and ISA methodology, ensuring acceptance by Melbourne councils, VCAT, and courts.
Clear Communication
Reports are written to be understood by the full range of stakeholders — architects, planners, lawyers, council officers, and property owners alike — without sacrificing technical rigour.
Clients Across Melbourne & Victoria
Architects & Building Designers
Pre-design tree retention advice and DA-ready reports.
Town Planners
AS4970 compliant reports for planning permit applications.
Property Owners
Risk assessments, damage reports, and planning support.
Local Councils
Risk management programs for public trees and streetscapes.
Legal Practitioners
Expert witness reports and independent assessments.
Engineers
Coordination on structural damage and root investigation.
Schools & Churches
Ongoing tree risk management for duty-of-care compliance.
Golf Courses & Parks
Large-estate tree risk and management programs.