Welcome to the Flock, Kirk!
Kirk brings 15 years of experience as a project manager delivering environmental approvals to E2M. We caught up with him to hear about his journey—from running a fishing lodge in Papua New Guinea to navigating complex approvals in Queensland.
How did you get into environmental approvals?
I studied Environmental Science at Griffith University but I wasn’t sure exactly where it would take me. During my first year of university, I completed a student placement at Lihir Gold Mine in Papua New Guinea, shadowing the environmental superintendent and learning how environmental risks are managed. It was a valuable experience that gave me a snapshot of the practical side of environmental management and also instilled in me the importance of mine site safety requirements. After graduating I worked as a graduate environmental scientist with a small consulting firm in Brisbane, where I learnt from accomplished ecologists and contaminated land practitioners. Ultimately, I found my focus firmly on the big picture of delivering complex environmental approvals for the mining and infrastructure industries in Queensland.
You lived in Papua New Guinea—tell us about that.
My family moved to Lae in PNG in the early nineties, where I spent most of my childhood through to my mid-twenties. During my degree I deferred for a period to take up an opportunity to manage a fishing lodge in PNG. It was an incredible experience—managing logistics, maintenance, and high-expectation clients in an entirely off-grid location. There’s no quick way to get things done in that environment, so you learn to prepare for all eventualities and problem-solve quickly.
How has the Industry changed since you started?
Environmental approvals have become significantly more complex and time consuming, particularly in the resources sector. Over my career timeframes have lengthened, stakeholder scrutiny has intensified, and environmental impact assessment requirements have progressively expanded.
With the rising influence of non-government organisations and community groups, resources projects now face greater uncertainty and require ever more onerous impact assessments.
An important aspect of my role is helping clients navigate these challenges – setting realistic timelines, managing assessment costs, and mitigating approvals risks in an increasingly unpredictable environment.
Why E2M?
Early in my career, I worked with E2M’s CEO Scott Baker at another firm. That early mentorship built a lasting professional relationship. I went on to utilise E2M’s ecology expertise in my subsequent roles as a project manager delivering approvals. I was always impressed by E2M’s willingness to go above and beyond, add value to projects and bring a pragmatic approach to impact assessments. The commitment to delivering quality outcomes for clients and the technical rigour of their work sets E2M apart from the competition.
As a prospective Employee what really stood out was the culture and focus on values. E2M doesn’t just talk about values—they live them. Every decision, from systems and processes to the strategic direction, is guided by E2M’s values. It is really refreshing to be part of a consulting firm that genuinely focuses on values in every aspect of the firm’s operations.
There’s also a real sense of trust here. People genuinely support each other, and that’s something I was keen to be part of.
What’s Next?
I’m looking forward to helping grow our approvals and compliance team. We have a real opportunity to make an impact, and it’s exciting to be part of a team that’s nimble, committed, and driven by a shared vision.