When planning major projects – like mines, gas fields, solar and wind farms – it's common to evaluate each project's individual environmental and social effects.

Cumulative impacts look at the combined effect of multiple projects over time and space. Ignoring these broader impacts can lead to significant, long-term harm to communities, ecosystems, and economies.

When we think about artificial intelligence or AI, we usually think about all the benefits and ways in which it helps us. What gets less attention is the environmental impact of AI.

Environmental Consultant Gemma van Hemert explores some of the key environmental impacts associated with the use of AI.

Working on a state significant development project? You probably know there are strict environmental regulations associated with the work, particular surrounding water quality and catchment management.

But here’s the (ahem) catch – not all management plans are equal. Our Environmental Consultant Holly Hanley explores the variations that you don’t want to overlook.

Navigating the requirements of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) is crucial for approval holders to ensure their projects minimise environmental impact.  A key component of this is the Annual Compliance Report which serves as a record of how a project has adhered to the conditions set out in its approval.

The identification and implementation of mitigation is an essential part of the process of impact assessment and decision-making for projects. Often there are challenges in defining mitigation to be applied in future phases of a project, and there can be a disconnect between project teams involved in the approvals phase, and post-approvals phase of a project. 

This week, the Queensland Government introduced a more rigorous assessment process for wind farm developments, transitioning from a code assessable to impact assessable process. This marks a pivotal shift in the state’s approach to renewable energy projects.

Environmental Project Manager Priya Jolly explains what the changes mean for QLD wind farm projects.

When planning for a major development project, biodiversity impact assessments are a critical step towards a successful application. They help identify potential threats and ensure the right course of action is taken to protect our native species.

In Australia's dynamic landscape of environmental approvals, project due diligence is paramount. With evolving regulations in Commonwealth and State jurisdictions, being informed and proactive is essential for a project’s success.

Life-of-mine planning must include effective rehabilitation practices. This process is critical not only for achieving safe, stable, non-polluting, and self-sustainable landforms but also for compliance with regulatory requirements that mandate clear objectives and completion criteria.

When it comes to project management, we know that good record-keeping is a must. We track budgets and deliverables, milestones and hold points. We have project control groups and RFI registers and every process to ensure we meet our timeframes. But how are you capturing your stakeholder interactions?

By now, if you're working within Australia's environmental industry, you'll be familiar with the current Nature Positive reforms happening at a national level. Amidst the plethora of information, we’ve created a breakdown of where the reforms currently stand, what's next, and what it means for our clients.

With Australia’s 2030 climate targets looming, the energy transition conversation is ramping up.

When in industry conversations with our colleagues, clients and peers, three key themes often arise, so we thought we’d share them.

From mining to wind farms, GIS mapping technology is a key pillar of all environmental assessment projects, guiding our team from start to finish.

From mapping project sites, assessing environmental impacts or flagging threatened species, GIS mapping prompts vital discussions and decision making during the project planning process, and into project execution.

Nature-based risk emerges from the intricate relationships between businesses and the environment, encompassing various facets of nature that businesses impact and depend upon.

From the aesthetic of landscapes to the regulatory status of species and communities, any alteration to nature poses a potential risk.

Our Armidale team has been busy working on the development of an environmental impact assessment for a local quarry that plays a significant role in the supply of material for the growing New England Renewable Energy Zone.

The successful implementation of sediment and erosion controls in any project that may disturb land is vital as a preventative measure to ensure waterways stay clean and local wildlife stay healthy.

Earlier this year, some of the Onward Consulting team completed the Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) Verifier Training Workshop, which means that we are now qualified TSM verifiers.