Australia’s East Coast Energy Transition: Are we there yet?

Lawrence Smith, NSW Regional and National Markets Manager, unpacks the disparate and sometimes inconsistent dialogue around energy transition, highlighting six key aspects of the initiatives, investments and actions underway. A lot has been said recently about the state of Australia’s energy generation transition. Plans are being announced at all levels of State and Federal government.…

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What is biodiversity offsetting and what does it mean for your project in NSW?

Principal ecologist and biodiversity offsetting specialist Dr Amanda Griffith introduces the basics of biodiversity offsetting, and how it applies in NSW. Biodiversity offsets aim to deliver beneficial and sustainable environmental outcomes and are an integral component of most project approvals in Australia. In NSW, the Biodiversity Offsets Scheme (BOS) provides the framework for assessing impacts…

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Meet our built heritage experts: Dr Tanya Park and Stewart Armstrong

Niche’s growing multidisciplinary team includes more than 25 heritage consultants with expertise in the management of Australian Aboriginal, historical and built heritage. Our heritage team’s broad range of experience and technical knowledge enables us to provide our clients with a complete package of services to manage the heritage aspects of any project – including specialist…

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aboriginal cultural heritage, NSW, consultant, archaeologist

Aboriginal cultural heritage management – “the Niche Way” in Queensland

Queensland regional manager Cameron Harvey reflects on the importance of evidence-based research and meaningful consultation with stakeholders. Ever since we began Niche in QLD back in 2012, we have always held firm on the belief that the best decisions and recommendations for our clients and their project needs are informed by evidence, not just opinions.…

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Covid-19: Staying safe and open for business

How we’re preparing for the “new normal” in Queensland – an update from Qld regional manager Cameron Harvey. While we have been relatively lucky in Queensland during 2021, escaping extended lockdowns and experiencing only limited outbreaks of Covid-19 community transmission, new variants and upcoming changes to the Queensland Government’s restrictions to travel, quarantine and borders…

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Fire Access and Fire Trail (FAFT) Program

NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service has engaged our multidisciplinary team to undertake six REFs for the Fire Access and Fire Trail (FAFT) Program across various regions in southern NSW. The FAFT Program will enhance the fire trail network and associated infrastructure to meet new Rural Fire Service standards. Each REF requires a combination of…

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Niche confirms status as trusted service provider to government in Queensland

State government supplier of choice for environmental and cultural heritage services Niche has been selected to join the Queensland Government Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR)’s new supplier prequalification scheme. Niche joins the Infrastructure Building and Construction Panel (IBCP) as a provider of both environmental and cultural heritage services.  While the IBCP is administrated…

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GIS spatial data mapping

Meet our team: Desiree Gowell, GIS consultant

Desiree is a GIS consultant with experience in data management, spatial analysis and map production for environmental management, planning, and conservation projects. She is based in Niche’s FNQ office in Cairns. With an educational background in zoology and professional experience in GIS for natural resource management, Desiree’s career experience includes the application of GIS methodologies…

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Meet our team: Neil Berry, GIS consultant

In his role as a GIS consultant based at Niche’s head office in Parramatta, Neil uses his skills in data visualisation and statistical analysis to produce report-quality mapping and figures to convey spatial data. “I’m naturally a visual communicator, and I enjoy finding ways to interpret and efficiently illustrate the spatial detail that our clients…

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Meet our team: Aboriginal heritage specialist Stella Quast

Stella grew up in Armidale and her farming family background inspired her interest in environmental archaeology and water management.  “When it comes to the environment and managing water, what worked in the past is often still relevant today,” says Stella.  “That’s why heritage matters so much, and why I’m motivated to help my clients achieve compliance with legislation while protecting Aboriginal cultural heritage…

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Bunya Mountains – Russell Park MTB Trails

Niche’s Queensland team was engaged by Bligh Tanner to provide both heritage management and ecological services during the detailed design phase Western Downs Regional Council’s Russell Park MTB Trails project. This included an Ecological Assessment Report, Protected Plants flora survey and Protected Plants Flora Survey Report, and cultural heritage services including Aboriginal and historical Due…

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morgan disspain, coffs harbour, heritage, archaeology, ololith

How Indigenous knowledge can inform contemporary management practices: Dr Morgan Disspain presents at World Fisheries Congress

Heritage specialist and senior associate Dr Morgan Disspain is an in expert in archaeological fish otolith analysis, with experience in cultural heritage management and archaeological research. Based in Coffs Harbour in Northern NSW, Morgan has published extensively – and received numerous awards – for her research on the analysis of archaeological fish remains, and has…

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