Projects
With hydrogen a new and emerging industry, associated development applications are being closely analysed. Our client’s development approval application had been denied due to an insufficient Environmental Management Plan. As an emerging technology, there are limited real world examples to lean on, so we worked closely with our client to understand their vision of an integrated solar, battery, air water generation and hydrogen project. Of particular importance to the Council was fire and explosion mitigation, and we drew on our complementary safety expertise to appropriately address this aspect. We prepared an Environmental Management Plan for resubmission to council, working closely with our client and their legal team to deliver a document which was accepted, unqueried, by the Council. Through this process, we also identified opportunities for improvement in their existing Environmental Authority and suggested amendments to improve compliance achievability once the site is operation. This is the second disputed development approval application we have successfully assisted. Previously, a client’s application for a brewery had been disputed by the council. We prepared a thorough assessment against relevant planning legislation for also, an undisputed approval. This project was located proximal to a high-risk flood zone and residential areas, which required careful consideration and justification. Both projects were supported by our in-house draftsperson (Surveyor & Civil Engineer) who produced supporting mapping.
With a track record of delivering natural resource management projects since our original inception back in 2015, we were called on to support a project behind schedule. 2020/2021 was a challenge for everyone, and Covid lockdowns had prevented the necessary property visits to move the project along. The project aimed to protect 510km of riparian areas on priority waterways throughout Southern Queensland from grazing pressures, by supporting landholders to erect fences. When we took over the project in late November 2021, 166km had been executed. Although floods, Covid, Christmas, and more floods challenged us at every turn, by the start of February 2022, we had communicated over the phone with more than 60 landholders, completed more than 40 property inspections, and contracted 372km of fencing, well exceeding targets.
With the investors and owners of solar farms often based outside of Australia, we have provided the vital missing link between their extensive project management experience and our local environmental knowledge. We have assisted our clients to: Meet Development Approval conditions Maintain a social licence to operate through community engagement , including land management advice (pest, weeds, erosion) Demonstrate due diligence and manage risk through desktop and onsite environmental audits Build and maintain their local reputation , mitigating complaints Being local, we understand what concerns the local community, and our professional experience ensures we have a thorough understanding of legislation which allows us to provide innovative solutions to safeguard projects and companies. Outcomes: No compliance action No community complaints No environmental harm
