What we do
We aim to inform proponents and managers of the scope and relevance of flora and fauna legislation and policies to their projects. We can facilitate discussions with regulatory bodies to identify the key requirements for ecological information during impact assessment and compliance processes. This ensures focused, relevant investigations and documentation, be it for the impact assessment phase or during the construction and operational phases of a project.
To assist developers and managers, we offer a range of ecological assessment and management services, described below.
Understanding your area and project
BL&A undertakes a range of surveys for flora and fauna including:
Due
diligence assessments of flora and fauna at sites for purchasers
or managers, including an introduction to the relevant legislation
and policies that might apply to the site.- Vegetation mapping and condition assessment, including habitat hectare surveys (all our team members have certificates of competency in this method from the Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment). This enables significant ecological opportunities and constraints to be identified and informs impact assessment. The team also has experience in assessing vegetation condition to address specific monitoring and management requirements, using both field and remote-sensing methods.
- Targeted rare plant surveys to accurately locate and quantify populations of species listed under state and federal legislation. Our team is licenced under applicable legislation to collect specimens of any plant species for research purposes, if necessary.
- Fauna surveys using a range of acceptable trapping and observational methods, for which our team has all necessary licences, including Animal Ethics approval.
- Targeted rare fauna surveys, involving species-specific trapping and observational methods to understand how threatened fauna may use an area. This also assists in identifying development opportunities and constraints, as well as impact assessment.
- Bird and bat collision risk modelling for wind farm developments. Used in combination with a scientifically robust program of field data collection, the BL&A collision risk model represents a significant improvement over existing models as it provides estimates of collision risk for individual turbines. This enables proponents to demonstrate how changes to wind farm layout and turbine numbers can reduce collision risk.
Our extensive ecological experience ensures that any ecological survey task is focused and uses up to date and rigorous survey methods, generating technically robust information that supports decision-making. Our experience provides a basis for responding to any request for surveys, no matter how specialised.
Supported by the Latest Technology and Related Expertise
Our work is supported by the latest technological developments, described below.
- ArcMap® Geographic Information System (GIS) to enable accurate mapping and manipulation of geographical data.
- ArcPad® field mapping software, to locate site or development components accurately on-the-ground, and to map ecological features while in the field, reducing transcription errors.
- A GIS team managed by Dr Inga Kulik, who has a PhD in geomatics (vegetation monitoring methods) from Melbourne University, supported by a full time GIS Analyst.
- Statistical and modeling capabilities both in-house and through specialist sub-consultants. This ensures that surveys are designed to address specific objectives, be they for impact assessment or monitoring, and that data are analysed and reported in a manner that is consistent with accepted statistical protocols.
