Renewable Energy
Point of difference
We are committed to the planning and design of sustainable energy initiatives, working on projects across the country.
We have extensive experience in the renewable energy sector, spanning wind, solar, battery storage and waste to energy solutions, navigating Australia’s complex approvals processes for renewable projects is strengthened by our established relationships with government and stakeholder networks.
We understand the technical challenges in delivering large-scale renewable energy projects and can guide our clients through approvals processes.
We have built a reputation for finding innovative solutions for complex sites and projects utilising our national presence to draw on our expertise across multiple states, giving our team a broader perspective and access to more resources.
Our multi-disciplinary team provides inhouse services including 3D modelling, visual representations, community engagement, graphic design and Landscape and Visual Impact Assessments (LVIA), communicating professionalism and expertise throughout all phases of your project.
Our services and expertise
Choosing our services means accessing a depth of knowledge, experience and a drive to secure the best possible outcomes for our clients.
- Development Approvals and Planning Permits
- EES and EIS
- Due Diligence and Site Selection
- Expert Evidence and Advocacy
- Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
- GIS Services
We bring experience and expertise in the preparation of planning reports, managing permit applications and coordinating development processes. Our detailed application reports accompany each submission, aiming to bring a speedy and positive outcome for our clients.
Our experience includes large-scale infrastructure projects which require the Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARs) and State Significant Development (SSD) approvals.
Assessing environmental impacts is often a crucial step when obtaining approval for large scale renewable projects. We are experienced in the management and preparation of Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) and Environmental Effects Statements (EES) and regularly assist our clients navigate these processes.
We start our environmental assessments with a detailed understanding of the site and its context. Our team collaborates with a range of experts to produce assessments that accurately describe the potential impacts of a project and effective strategies for minimising them. Our adept communication skills and trusted relationships with various authorities enable us to customise these assessments for optimal impact.
We have a solid understanding of the regulatory framework and approval processes for major projects in the energy and renewables sector.
Our assessment evaluates the site’s unique circumstances, gauging its development potential and identifying possible constraints. This comprehensive review assesses the property against local laws, planning scheme provisions (including zoning, overlays and codes), as well as flooding, biodiversity and sensitive areas, contaminated sites, bushfire risk, cultural heritage and past approvals.
We aim to provide precise and comprehensive advice that allows clients to fully understand the impact of planning controls on development proposals. Our clients find this information invaluable in understanding the development potential of the land and make informed decisions regarding property purchase or project development.
We leverage our experience to support clients during the site acquisition phase, ensuring feasible locations are selected and securing essential support from relevant landowners. Early engagement is key for a smooth transition into the development application and permit phase.
We provide top tier advocate and expert witness services across various tribunals including VCAT, planning panels, advisory committees, NSW Land and Environment Court and more.
Our advocacy involves coordinating, preparing and presenting robust submissions that present our clients’ cases. Leveraging our deep understanding of statutory planning systems, planning policy and case law, we offer a cost-effective alternative to engaging legal representation.
Choosing our services means accessing a depth of knowledge, experience and a drive to secure the best possible outcomes for our clients.
Our team provides a full range of landscape character and visual impact assessment services to meet federal and state legislative requirements. We provide guidance for clients, consent authorities and the community to understand the process and requirements for assessing Landscape and Visual Impact Assessments for renewable energy projects.
Our senior staff deliver expert evidence at VCAT and Independent Panel hearings on matters relating to the siting and design of developments and landscape and visual impact assessment.
Our in-house Media specialises in 3D visualisation and visual communication. They seamlessly integrate these services into the landscape and visual impact assessment process and related design studies.
We use high-quality digital SLR photographic equipment, GPS devices and advanced 3D modelling software in conjunction with CAD and survey data to quickly create realistic, accurate and verifiable images of proposed development options from key viewpoints. The outputs from our modelling meet the stringent presentation standards required by VCAT, EES and EIS, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
Using state of the art GIS software and mapping techniques, we can advise clients on all their spatial analysis, data management and mapping requirements. Our GIS specialists provide a range of services:
- Slope/aspect analysis
- Viewshed analysis
- Environmental overlay mapping
- Animated time-lapse mapping
- Google Earth data creation
- Interactive mapping
- Dataset creation and management.
The visual representation from our GIS services prove invaluable for large scale renewable energy projects. They streamline the interpretation of multiple datasets and constraints simultaneously, helping decision-making processes.
Community and stakeholder engagement
Crafting an effective communication strategy is crucial to our project delivery, ensureing the scale and impact of the project align with the appropriate consultation approach.
Community and stakeholder engagement forms a critical part of renewable energy projects and is a service we offer in-house.
Our consultation approach is collaborative, working closely with clients to develop clear, informative communications that help build enduring relationships with stakeholders. We incorporate traditional consultation methods into our planning and design work, creating a fully integrated project. The IAP2 ‘Spectrum of Public Participation’ principles are embedded within our work, driving an engagement approach tailored for each project.
Our goal across all projects is to provide ample, relevant, accurate and consistent information to all stakeholders at crucial stages during the life of the project. Increasingly we are using online and social media platforms, allowing us to engage with the target community on a larger scale, fostering a deeper, more immersive and engaging interaction.
Our ability to develop such technologies inhouse offers distinct advantages, allowing us to streamline processes within your project, to reduce timeframes and avoid added costs.
