Capabilities

NAC has the capacity and capability to carry out a broad range of environmental consultancy activities.

Environmental Investigations and Advice

NAC’s experienced personnel have undertaken a range of projects during their professional career’s that have required them to undertake some form of environmental investigation and advise clients of the implications of the outcomes for their project. Investigations have included:
Assessments of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems;
State and Commonwealth approvals investigations and preparation of associated documentation;
Ecological research & project design for revegetation projects.

Examples of work undertaken for a land development in Vasse include:

• Undertaking flora and fauna surveys to determine whether or not rare or endangered species are present, and how potential project impacts can be managed by land developers;
• Designing and implementing a groundwater sampling programs to determine baseline water quality and depth to groundwater information;
• Preparing an application to have the management category and boundary of a conservation category wetland reassessed based on the outcomes of on-ground surveys.

Environmental Approvals

Environmental projects often require approval from local, state or federal government agencies before they can proceed. Approvals can include the undertaking and reporting of relevant environmental studies, the preparation of management plans, completion of some form of permit application, and the preparation of referral documents. Examples of approvals that NAC personnel have been involved with include:

Local government

• Preparation of management plans to the satisfaction of a particular local council
• Seeking permission to undertake plant salvage on local government managed reserves
• Undertaking environmental studies and investigations associated with planning processes

State government

• Preparation of clearing permits, along with ongoing management and reporting requirements
• Preparation of offset proposals, along with associated implementation, management and reporting 
• Preparation of documents associated with the environmental impact assessment process (Part IV of the Environmental Protection Act 1986), such as referral documents, environmental scoping documents (ESD), public environmental reviews (PER), and similar
• Completion of various licence applications
• Preparation of management plans and similar that may be required as part of the approvals process
• Undertaking environmental studies and investigations associated with planning and other processes where some form of approval is required
• Contributing to the completion of Local Water Management Strategies and Urban Water Management Plans
• Swan River Trust permits required for work being undertaken along the foreshore of the Swan River
• Applications to adjust the geomorphic wetlands of the Swan Coastal Plain dataset (boundaries, management category, and wetland classifications)

Federal government

• Referral documents associated with relevant sections of the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
• Environmental impact assessment documents such as the preparation of environmental plans
• Threatened species management plans

Flora and Vegetation

NAC employs a botanist with a 6d skill level as outlined in the skill level matrix for the Natural Area Assessment of the Perth Biodiversity Project.  Capabilities include the identification of native flora, weeds, threatened ecological communities (TEC’s), priority ecological communities (PEC’s), declared rare flora (DRF), weed mapping and vegetation condition.

Work examples include:

• Undertaking a survey to identify any DRF, TECs or PECs and vegetation condition for a Bush Forever site in the northern Perth suburbs
• Mapping priority weed species at a number of reserves for a local authority south of the river
• Undertaking a targeted DRF survey for orchids at a metropolitan land development site

Revegetation & Ecological Design

NAC has the capability to design revegetation plans for bushland rehabilitation, riverine restoration or coastal revegetation. Revegetation sites are always unique and so planning involves the individual assessment of soil and vegetation types, flora and fauna species including feral animals and threatening processes.

Project examples include:

• Design of revegetation plans for various offset sites in the metropolitan area, specifying success criteria, monitoring requirements, scheduling, and associated costings for a number Government and other clients, including Western Power and Telstra.
• Jandakot Airport Holdings – “Bushland Rehabilitation Plan and Success Criteria” including initial site assessment and recommendations on rehabilitation activities.

Environmental Management Plans

NAC personnel have the capacity to develop, review and implement various types of environmental management plans, with examples such as:

• Foreshore management
• Restoration and revegetation
• Weed management
• Dust management
• Wetland management
• Feral and/or pest species management plans
• Mosquito management
• Urban water management
• Local water management strategies
• Drinking water quality

Project examples undertaken by our personnel include:

• Undertaking a review of existing environmental management plans, updating information relating to vegetation condition, weed mapping, species lists, dieback status, and incorporating new areas needing revegetation and providing recommendations for new management actions.
• Preparation of the draft management plan for the Burns Beach –Iluka area for consideration by the City of Joondalup, documenting the characteristics of the study area and suggesting management strategies relating rehabilitation and revegetation, weed management, fire management, pest control, zoning, and recreation and public access.
• Contributing to the development of the Local Water Management Strategy for a proposed subdivision in Vasse.
• Contributing to the development of a management plan for a metropolitan golf course in close proximity to wetland and bushland areas.
• Preparation of a foreshore management plan for a local government authority south of the river.

Vegetation Offset Proposals and Clearing Permits

Projects that require the clearing of natural bushland areas may need to seek approval from either the State or Federal government as appropriate, and for private clients.
Examples include:

• Environmental approvals and licensing for offset proposals and clearing permit applications for a range of clients.
• Provision of advice in relation to the need for a clearing permit and likelihood of offsets for a proposed development in the northern suburbs.

Monitoring & Sampling

NAC personnel have a proven track record with the development and implementation of terrestrial and water monitoring activities to suit organisational needs, or to implement existing client programs. Vegetation monitoring can be carried out using a variety of methods including transects and or quadrats. Photo monitoring is generally carried out simultaneously with all vegetation monitoring projects. Water quality sampling and monitoring activities will be carried out in accordance with the requirements of accepted industry standards and guidelines, such as AS/NZS 5667.1.1998 Water quality - Sampling - Guidance on the design of sampling programs, sampling techniques and the preservation and handling of samples.

Project examples undertaken by NAC personnel include:

• Soil sampling to test for the potential presence of Phytophthora cinnamomi (Dieback) at a reserve in the Town of Claremont.
• The design and implementation of a groundwater monitoring program associated with the development of a Local Water Management Strategy for a Vasse property development.  
• Design and implementation of revegetation monitoring program for coastal rehabilitation sites on behalf of a property developer in the northern suburbs.
• Baseline flora and vegetation surveys for inclusion into revegetation plans for vegetation offset revegetation plans.
• Annual monitoring of various offset sites as required under clearing permits and reporting outcomes to the DEC.

Environmental Project Management

NAC personnel have extensive project management experience to ensure that all projects are completed as per the client brief, in a timely manner and on budget. Where appropriate, project management activities include the coordination of sub-contractors and on-ground environmental restoration activities, along with client liaison and reporting.