Environmental Planning

Environmental planning (legislation) advice is a key service offered by LFA.  Knowledge of environmental legislation allows for the delivery of a comprehensive environmental assessment service that often involves a number of disciplines, and facilitates the delivery of an efficient Project Management Service.  Overall project management and coordination is provided by the Senior Environmental Planner, in close liaison with the Senior Ecologist/Environmental Scientist. 

The Project Manager’s role is to provide efficient and timely coordination of all facets of project implementation, to undertake peer review of reports, to facilitate internal and external communication flow, and to supply accurate accounting.  Additionally the Project Manager is also responsible for the commissioning of additional reports or studies as required, and liaison with State and Local Government authorities, sub-consultants and clients.

LFA project manager, Paola Rickard, has many years of experience in environmental planning and has coordinated the preparation and implementation of a variety of planning related matters including the following:

• positive covenants and restrictions on the use of land in relation to native vegetation offset areas

• calculation of rehabilitation bonds (i.e. Conservation Bond)

• submissions on behalf of clients in relation to changes to planning instruments/legislation

• various applications to government agencies (e.g. aquifer interference application)

• preparation of environmental assessments, scoping briefs and address of submissions

• preparation of tender briefs for sub-consultants (e.g. cultural heritage assessments associated with environmental assessments)

• Land Use Conflict Risk Assessments (LUCRA)

LFA have also undertaken a range of site specific assessments that provide clients with a detailed summary of parameters associated with a development. An example of which is a review undertaken by LFA of ‘vehicle access routes’ to a remote property in South Ballina. Four options were available and a review was prepared for the client detailing characteristics, logistics, development approval requirements, estimated cost and a summary of constraints for each option.