our expertise
Our industry experience includes:
Investigations are undertaken and documentation prepared focusing on our clients’ primary requirement to understand the implications for their projects of site characteristics and related environmental regulations and policies. Environmental management measures can be developed at all stages of the project cycle, including planning, design, construction and operation. These measures are developed in consultation with the client’s project team and the relevant regulatory agencies.
The company’s team is particularly familiar with Commonwealth and State legislation and policies, such as:
- Victorian Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988;
- Victorian Planning and Environment Act 1987;
- Victorian Planning Provisions (Native Vegetation Retention);
- Victorian Native Vegetation Management – A Framework for Action (‘Net Gain’);
- Victoria’s Draft Regional Native Vegetation Management Plans;
- Victoria’s Biodiversity Strategy 1997;
- New South Wales Environment Planning and Assessment Act 1979;
- New South Wales Threatened Species Act 1995;
- New South Wales Native Vegetation Act 2003; and
- Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
Targeted investigations and concise, readable documentation can be prepared that enable project proponents to address these regulations. Team members have had considerable experience as expert witnesses in courts and tribunals that deal with these regulations (eg. Victorian Civil and Administrative Appeals Tribunal and Independent Planning Panels, Queensland Planning and Environment Court).
The team’s work has been recognised through a number of awards, including:
- Planning Institue of Australia commendation for Eynesbury Township Development (GEO Property Group) with Tract Consultants in the Environmental Planning / Conservation category.
- Banksia Award for the Ashwood College Environmental Education Project (including concept planning and design of an urban forest and wetland on campus) (with Jacinta Bartlett, Landscape Architect);
- Royal Australian Planning Institute Special Commendation for environmental planning work at the site of the Point Cook Sanctuary Lakes development with Network Planning Consultants Pty Ltd; and
- Australian Stormwater Association Special Commendation for design and construction of a sustainable stormwater drainage system to protect and restore an Alpine Bog community at Dinner Plain, Victorian High Plains with Millar Merrigan Pty Ltd.
- Urban Development Institute of Australia (Victoria) Award for Environmental Excellence for the Eynesbury Township Development (GEO Property Group) with Tract Consultants Pty Ltd
- The company has business relationships with a number of other specialist subconsultants throughout Australia who can provide additional advice on:
- Statistical methods and modeling;
- Fish biology;
- Freshwater and marine ecology;
- Revegetation and site rehabilitation;
- Coastal processes;
- Archaeology and cultural heritage;
- Town Planning; and
- Community consultation
Brett Lane & Associates Pty Ltd is covered by all necessary insurance cover to undertake consultancies, including:
- Work Cover;
- Public Liability; and
- Professional Indemnity.
