The Project
This renewable energy project is located on an active cattle property within Gugu Badhun Country in North Queensland, adjacent to existing electricity transmission infrastructure. As a time-critical opportunity to support Australia’s energy transition, the project aims to deliver large-scale renewable energy to the grid within four years—addressing urgent decarbonisation goals and anticipated supply shortages by 2025. e2m was engaged to support environmental approvals through targeted species surveys and offset assessments for a Commonwealth Government-listed species.
e2m was engaged during the early planning phase to develop a preliminary Environmental Offset Strategy aligned with the current Blueprint. This desktop-based assessment leveraged advanced GIS habitat modelling to provide early insights and strategic direction.
Our Approach
Outcomes
e2m confirmed the presence of key target species- including Sharman’s rock-wallaby and the magnificent brood frog – within both impact and offset areas. Our team identified suitable offset areas for the majority of MNES species, supported by quantitative habitat assessments. Despite challenging field conditions, our ecologists delivered high-quality data and insights that directly informed the project’s environmental approvals. These findings were incorporated into the Public Environmental Report submitted to the Federal Government, supporting a transparent and evidence-based assessment of project impacts and offset viability. This project highlights e2m’s ability to deliver rigorous ecological assessments in remote landscapes, while supporting responsible clean energy development on culturally significant land. In addition to technical delivery, e2m overcame significant challenges with remote field work and ensured the safety of all staff across numerous surveys.
