We engage early, before your building layout is locked, so ecological findings shape better design from the start. Our team of ecologists and project managers combines technical rigour with council relationships built over 25+ years.
300 New Projects Annually
Strong VIC Expertise
Strong Council Relationships
Expert Witness & VCAT Experience
Independent Reporting highly regarded by regulators
Urban Masterplanning Expertise
Urban Planning and Development Project Lifecycle
1
Investigation & Feasibility
What we do
Planning scheme overlay review and desktop assessment to identify environmental constraints. Rapid site assessment determines threatened species presence and future survey needs.
Deliverables
Overview report with design recommendations and constraints summary.
2
Planning & Assessment
What we do
Detailed habitat assessment, habitat hectare scoring, and native vegetation assessment. Ideally conducted after initial design refinement.
Deliverables
Flora and Fauna Report OR Native Vegetation Assessment with avoidance/mitigation recommendations.
3
Council Approvals & Negotiation
What we do
Respond to Request for Further Information (RFI) from council, update reports, and conduct additional surveys if needed. Engage council/DEECA on your behalf for complex issues. Provide expert witness services for VCAT.
Comprehensive species and community inventory that documents ecological values at your site, forming the foundation for impact assessment and regulatory approval. You'll need this for statutory approvals, EPBC referrals, offset calculations, and any project requiring detailed biodiversity baseline data.
Specialist field assessments designed to identify threatened plant and animal species, as well as evaluate vegetation communities and habitat condition. Typically required when threatened species are known or likely to occur on or near the site, or when biodiversity offset calculations are needed.
Long-term strategic frameworks for managing vegetation, habitat, and ecological values across your site post-development, often linked to offset requirements or conservation covenants. Required when offset obligations exist, or when ongoing habitat management is a condition of approval.
Long-term strategic frameworks for managing vegetation, habitat, and ecological values across your site post-development, often linked to offset requirements or conservation covenants. Required when offset obligations exist, or when ongoing habitat management is a condition of approval.
Detailed assessment of vegetation communities, condition, and conservation significance under state planning schemes and EPBC Act, including habitat hectare assessments using DEECA-approved methodology. Essential for land development, infrastructure, and any project affecting native vegetation - determines offset requirements and informs regulatory approvals.
Formal documentation submitted to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water to determine if your project requires Commonwealth environmental assessment. Essential when you need certainty about Commonwealth requirements before proceeding, or when impacts to listed species/communities are likely.
We prepare formal expert statements that satisfy court/tribunal requirements and withstand cross-examination. Required when your project faces formal challenge at VCAT, planning panel, or court.
