REGULATORY PATHWAYS & STRATEGY
Turn environmental approvals complexity into project clarity
Environmental regulations are complex and open to interpretation. We turn that complexity into a clear, realistic approval pathway. We've guided 180+ wind farm and 10,000+ development projects through approvals. We know what regulators will actually require.
What this solves
Regulatory uncertainty is a showstopper for defined timelines and budgets. We establish clarity with regulators upfront, determine the right pathway, and shape everything downstream, so you can plan for what's needed and when it is likely to happen.
Our Approach
We develop strategic regulatory pathways.
Deliverables include: Regulatory Strategy Document | Assessment Pathway Flowchart | Comprehensive Ecological Assessment Report | Supporting Documentation | Ongoing Monthly Liaison | Condition Management Guidance
1
Project & regulatory context
An initial strategy session clarifies your vision and any timeline pressure, the approvals required and key regulatory sensitivities.
2
Early regulator consultation
We establish clarity with government agencies upfront, matching expectations between client and regulator. You get the answer early, not after 6 months of work.
3
Strategic assessment plan
Instead of blanket "do all baseline surveys," we scope targeted work that answers the regulator's key question: Will there be a significant impact?
4
Avoid-minimise-offset hierarchy
We help you understand how to design around constraints, minimise unavoidable impacts, and offset cost-effectively.
5
Clear timeline & roadmap
See a visual flowchart showing survey sequence. regulatory submission points, decision gates, and approval milestones. Know what's happening and when.
6
Regulatory liaison & adaptive response
As work progresses, we adjust the pathway based on findings. Unexpected discovery? We tell you what it means for the timeline and cost, and how to move forward.
Why Nature Advisory
We know not just what regulations say, but how regulators interpret them in practice. This shapes the pathway we strategically recommend.
Our senior regulatory strategists have 25+ years of experience with the EPBC Act and state legislation and deep regulatory knowledge. Our project managers keep you informed throughout. We're responsive and disciplined, and think strategically about approval pathways. We find achievable ways forward that protect ecology while advancing your project.
Specialist team
All advice is grounded in ecological science and tested against real-world project outcomes.
Bernard O’Callaghan
Managing Director
Dr Inga Kulik
Director
Alan Brennan
Director and Principal Ecologist
Solutions frequently delivered to this Sector
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MNES impact assessments
Assessment of impacts to Matters of National Environmental Significance (listed species, ecological communities) under the EPBC Act, determining whether Commonwealth approval is required. Needed for any major project that might affect Commonwealth-protected environmental values.
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State Planning Controls
Review of state planning scheme provisions, overlays, and permit requirements that apply to your site. Required before lodging planning applications, to identify which planning permits and conditions will affect your project design and approvals.
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EPBC Act Referrals
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.
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Environmental Effects Statements
Comprehensive environmental assessment documents that synthesise ecological and other environmental findings to satisfy statutory approval requirements (typically Victoria). Required for major projects undergoing Environment Effects Act assessment.
Our Projects
NSW Policy
Nature Advisory developed a NSW policy framework for assessing wind farm impacts on birds and bats, combining literature review, field survey guidelines, and regulatory advice to guide state-wide biodiversity decisions.
Wind Energy | Impact Assessment | NSW | Biodiversity Assessment
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Golden Plains Wind Farm
Nature Advisory delivered targeted ecological surveys, modelling and regulatory strategy to support biodiversity approvals for the Golden Plains Wind Farm, reducing native vegetation removal by over 60% while enabling project approval.
Brolga Habitat | Native Vegetation Management | Victoria | Wind Energy
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Get clarity on your approval process today
Get in touch with our team to discuss how we can help you navigate environmental challenges and deliver practical solutions.
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