Project
e2m has been working alongside Whitehaven Coal since 2018 to support the proposed development of the Winchester South Mine—an open-cut metallurgical coal mine located in the Bowen Basin, approximately 30 km southeast of Moranbah. The mine is expected to produce up to 11 million tonnes of coal per year over a 28-year lifespan, with associated expansion of rail and port infrastructure.
Given the project’s significant scale and complexity, ecological assessments and biodiversity offsets formed a critical part of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and associated approvals process.
Our Approach
Our involvement began at the earliest stages of the EIS and has continued through to the present, providing a full suite of terrestrial ecology and offset services. The project footprint spans over 7,000 hectares, including grazing paddocks, eucalypt woodlands, Brigalow open forest, and native grasslands.
To build a complete ecological picture, our team undertook multi-year fieldwork across both wet and dry season.
Surveys covered a 13,750 ha study area and identified key species and ecological communities requiring offset, including Poplar Box and Natural Grassland TECs, regulated vegetation, and habitat for the ornamental snake, squatter pigeon (southern), koala, and greater glider.
Our team combined field expertise with technology to increase efficiency and accuracy. Field data collection was supported by Trimble devices and Esri software, enabling attribute-rich data capture and cloud-based reporting. Spatial specialists used GIS to identify and assess potential offset sites, supporting a detailed and defensible offset strategy.
Outcomes
e2m’s early and ongoing involvement has helped ensure a structured and well-supported ecological approvals pathway. Our comprehensive impact and offset assessments formed key inputs into the EIS, now under government review. Offset site identification and species monitoring will continue throughout the life of the project, enabling adaptive management and progressive delivery of biodiversity commitments.
This long-term collaboration reflects our commitment to transparent communication, technical excellence, and building trusted partnerships that support sustainable project outcomes.
