Projects we have been working on recently @ litoria consulting:

Brisbane City Council – Environmental Management Plan

Litoria Consulting have recently completed an Environmental Planning Report and updated Site- based Environmental Management Plan (SEMP) that accompanied the application for a development permit MCU (ERA) for the new City Fleet Facility at Wacol.

As per the recommendations of the Environmental Approvals Audit (prepared by Litoria Consulting), the SEMP included an update of existing environmental management material (Aspects and Impacts, and Environmental System Procedures documents) that had been commissioned for the previous City Fleet Facilities at Acacia Ridge and Pinkenba.

In addition to the inclusion of these updated materials, the EMP addressed additional environmental components including:

  • A description of the site including maps of vegetation, land uses, topography, watercourses, wetland areas and any areas of cultural or heritage significance;
  • Details and mapping of the site’s proximity to watercourses;
  • An updated description of ERAs that will take place on the new site;
  • Details of waste produced, including solid and liquid waste and proposed waste management program;
  • Details of proposed contaminant releases or emission to air and likely effects;
  • Details of management of noise impacts on the surrounding environment; and,
  • Details about how the activity achieves best practice environmental management, including technology used, management approach, environmental management plans and monitoring;

Through the EMP, Litoria environmental scientists were able to:

  • Provide the mandatory information required to obtain approval for carrying out an ERA;
  • Demonstrate how the proposed development will comply with the requirements for carrying out an ERA;
  • Develop a procedure for auditing compliance and environmental management performance;
  • Outline environmental objectives of City Fleet facility operation;
  • Highlight practices that would mitigate and manage potential environmental risks and impacts encountered during facility operation;
  • Highlight practices that would minimise and manage environmental incidents encountered during facility operation; and,
  • Make recommendations that would ensure all staff and contractors entering the site are appropriately trained and aware of their responsibilities. 

Ford Road, Burbank – Vegetation Management Plan

Environmental scientists at Litoria Consulting have recently completed a Vegetation Management Plan (VMP) that was prepared for a proposed development on Ford Road, Burbank. The VMP was prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Brisbane City Council City Plan. The scope of work included:

  • Tree identification including:

a)      botanical species names;

b)      height;

c)       diameter of tree trunk at breast height;

d)      crown diameter;

e)      tree protection zones and structural root zones; and,

f)       habitat features evident including hollows and scratch marks, nests, etc.

  • Vegetation Management Plan including:

a)      retention/removal assessment in accordance with AS:4970 – Protection of Trees on Development Sites;

b)      detailed and scaled CAD drawings including details of measures to protect trees to be retained in accordance with AS:4970 – Protection of Trees on Development Sites;

  • Code Assessment against the Brisbane City Council City Plan – Biodiversity Code

Through the VMP, Litoria environmental scientists were able to demonstrate the impact that the development would have on surrounding vegetation and a suitable tree retention plan in line with the development footprint and ecological values present on site.

Unity Water and CH2M Hill – Marine Plant Assessment and Management Plan

The environment team at Litoria have completed a Marine Plant Assessment and Management Plan (MPAMP) for obtaining relevant approvals associated with replacement of an existing pipeline and outfall operated by Unity Water at Kawana. The scope of work included:

  • Marine plant assessment and management plan generally in accordance with DAFF mandatory information requirements under the Sustainable Planning Act 2009, including:

a)      Site inspection and marine plant survey;

b)      A scaled site plan of the proposed work showing the location, areas of impact and adjacent area, extent of marine plants;

c)       Written documentation; and,

d)      Justification including code assessment.

Through the MPAMP, Litoria environmental scientists were able to:

  • Identify the extent and location of marine plants proposed to be removed, destroyed or damaged;
  • Identify and assess ecological impacts of the proposed removal in accordance with applicable code requirements; and,
  • Identify management actions to reduce, mitigate or offset impacts.

Mercy Aged Care Services – Vegetation Management Plan

Mercy Aged Care Services recently commissioned Litoria Consulting to prepare and lodge an Operational Works: Vegetation Management Plan (VMP) as part of the Brisbane City Council development permit conditions for the redevelopment of an Aged Care Facility at Nudgee, Qld. The purpose of the Vegetation Management Plan was to address conditions relating to the retention and management of existing trees to be retained as per a previous VMP concept plan and botanical survey also completed by Litoria Consulting.

Through the VMP, Litoria environmental scientists were able to:

  • Prepare a VMP in accordance with the approved Vegetation Retention Plan drawing;
  • Determine tree protection zones (TPZ) and structural root zones (SRZ) for vegetation in accordance with Australian Standard AS 4970-2009 Protection of trees on development sites (Standards Australia 2009);
  • Identify all trees to be removed/retained;
  • Identify the extent of all infrastructure and earthworks;
  • Specify alternative construction methods where applicable;
  • Manage pre-clearing and operational aspects of the development to ensure:

a)      retention of designated trees;

b)      describe measures relating to management of cleared vegetation including stockpiling of mulch, salvage or re-use of cleared vegetation;

c)       manage potential impacts on fauna during clearing operations; and,

d)      ensure compliance with relevant environmental legislation.

Subject to approval of the VMP, Litoria Environmental scientists will also co-ordinate several pre-construction and construction activities associated with the VMP. These include:

  • Completing the Natural Assets Local Law Application to Carry Out Works on Protected Vegetation;
  • Engaging a fauna spotter/catcher for pre-construction and construction activities;
  • A Site inspection of vegetation protection measures/fencing and signage including defects advice and remedial actions;
  • Conducting a vegetation management audit in accordance with approved plans;
  • Conducting a  Natural Assets Local Law audit and compliance return ; and,
  • Submitting a fauna spotter/catcher report and compliance return.