Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

FVC is an environmental consultancy, specialised in undertaking environmental assessments, environmental impact assessments (EIA) and ecological impact assessments, to contribute to environmental approvals for a range of projects, predominantly in the development space.

Environmental impact assessments span a range of speciality areas, including flora and fauna (ecological impact assessment), as well as contamination and heritage.  Assessment of impacts requires consideration of the receiving environment, as well as the proposed actions, bringing it all together to determine how those actions might impact the environment. 

A third aspect is the statutory approvals process at Commonwealth, State and Local government levels. Consultants with a sound understanding of all three components ensure the best outcome for clients in terms of project definition, characterisation of the environment, impact assessment, approvals acquisition and compliance.  The best possibility of a smooth approvals pathway is provided by environmental definition, environmental impact assessment and management recommendations that are fit for purpose.

Government regulators and other decision making authorities (DMAs) who support them have a responsibility to protect the environment from unacceptable impacts and have guidelines and expectations for the EIA process.

FVC draws on a team of highly experienced environmental specialists, to resource projects with the full spectrum of impact assessment, approvals and management needs.

Wandoo Forest

Environmental Impact Assessment Services Delivered

  • Biological assessments as the basis for environmental impact assessment 
  • Comprehensive environmental impact assessments, addressing:
    • Detailed environmental impact assessment for:
      • Flora, vegetation and ecological communities
      • Fauna and habitats, including Threatened fauna such as Black-cockatoos, Western Ring-tailed Possums, Night Parrot, Northern Quolls and Trapdoor Spiders
    • Desktop environmental impact assessment for:
      • Indigenous heritage
      • Native Title
      • European heritage
      • Contamination
      • Acid Sulphate Soils
      • Social values, sensitive receptors and potential vulnerability to impacts arising from noise, vibration, dust, light and operational impacts
  • Statutory approvals documentation, including:
    • State referrals
    • Commonwealth referrals
    • Native Vegetation Clearing Permit (NVCP) applications
    • Environmental Review Documents (ERD), e.g. Public Environmental Review (PER) 
  • Environmental impact mitigation recommendations
  • Environmental Management Plans and other documentation to meet commitments made and for compliance purposes

 

Key Relevant Experience

Highlight Project

Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage, Russell Road MRS Review, environmental impact assessment (2019)

In order to inform the early planning for a potential future review of the metropolitan regional scheme (MRS), the Department of Planning initiated an environmental impact assessment of a section of Russell Road in between Rockingham and Hammond Roads.  

FVC was commissioned to undertake the environmental impact assessment scope, which was focused on the definition of biological values within the project corridor, specifically flora, vegetation, fauna and habitat values.  

The assessment revealed the presence of two Commonwealth Threatened Ecological Communities (TECs); the Banksia woodlands TEC and the Tuart woodlands and forests TEC, as well as foraging habitat, potential future breeding habitat and potential roosting habitat for Threatened Black-cockatoos.

The broad ranging environmental impact assessment also addressed other matters which would require consideration for environmental approvals, licencing and permitting, including wetlands, groundwater, Indigenous heritage, European heritage, contamination and acid sulphate soils. 

In additional to the environmental impact assessment, the scope also included the provision of recommendations for environmental impact mitigation and the development of environmental management actions.  

A final aspect of the scope required the development of criteria for placing value on natural areas, which, once applied, resulted in the prioritisation and ranking of those natural areas within the project area.  This analysis revealed the highest priority natural area to be within a bushland remnant on private property, followed by an area within the Harry Waring Marsupial Reserve, where a small corner falls within the project area.

The project represents one of a few projects embarked upon by DPLH, within a new framework for approaching future planning needs within the State.

Other Relevant Projects

  • Main Roads WA, Tonkin Hwy, Tonkin Gap, biological assessments, environmental impact assessment, Environmental Management Plan, State & Commonwealth referrals (2018-2019)
  • City of Cockburn, Aboriginal Cultural and Visitor’s Centre, biological and environmental impact assessments (2019)
  • Rey Resources, Stokes Bay, Point Torment and West Kora Oil Wells, Environment Plan (2018)
  • Main Roads WA, Leach Hwy-Welshpool Rd Interchange Upgrade, biological assessments, Preliminary Environmental Impact Assessment & Environmental Management Plan, vegetation clearing impact assessment, Vegetation Management Plan (2018-2019)

Testimonial

"The FVC team are diligent and hard working. They have a breadth of experience and are extremely punctual in providing reports"

John Braid, Principal Environment Officer, Main Roads Western Australia, 2019