Use of drone technology for rehabilitation monitoring

Drone technology was used at our client’s site at Tin Can Bay, Queensland to support the planning and future monitoring of vegetation restoration following a clearing event. High-resolution orthomosaic imagery and a digital elevation model (DEM) were generated from the drone flight data by Biodiverse Environmental, enabling accurate assessment of site conditions and disturbance extent.

The DEM provided a basis for comparing landform conditions before and after clearing. It confirmed that the terrain remained largely unaltered, with hydrological patterns intact, suggesting strong potential for natural regeneration. The elevation data also helped verify vegetation mapping in low-lying areas that were otherwise inaccessible during ground surveys.

The orthomosaic image, created from post-clearing drone imagery, shows areas of high and low density vegetation canopy removal across the site as per the image below. These visual differences were used to assess the spatial extent and intensity of clearing. Concurrent field surveys were carried out by Applied Environment & Safety and Biodiverse Environmental, enabling real-time validation of drone observations and confirming the presence of retained woody debris, which offered insight into past vegetation structure and regeneration potential.

This imagery provides a spatial baseline for restoration planning. Annual drone surveys will capture consistent data, enabling direct year-to-year comparison of vegetation recovery. Where specific Regional Ecosystems lack the required species composition, precision reseeding such as dispersal via seed bombing by drones will be used to support natural regeneration. This dual application of drone technology supports adaptive management, guides maintenance priorities, and documents restoration outcomes over time.

This project demonstrates the value of close collaboration between aerial and on-ground survey methods. The partnership with Biodiverse Environmental highlights how integrated data collection can enhance ecological planning and strengthen long-term restoration outcomes.

Environmental Monitoring

We offer integrated environmental monitoring and management services, combining on-ground ecological expertise to support accurate planning, compliance tracking, and adaptive site management. Our team delivers tailored management plans backed by spatial data and field validation. This ensures our clients achieve regulatory outcomes and management measures for long-term ecosystem resilience. For more information, see our services page here.

Revegetation is more than restoring vegetation – it is about rebuilding ecosystems, reconnecting landscapes and repairing our relationship with the land. Whether it is turning farm dams into living wetlands or coaxing life from a barren desert plain, the art and science of revegetation are proving that, given the right help, the land knows how to heal itself

Wetlands and Waterways: Breathing Life Back into Water

Once seen merely as soggy paddocks or mosquito traps, wetlands are now recognised as ecological powerhouses – natural filters, flood buffers, and wildlife havens.

In South East Queensland, farmers and land restoration groups are working together to reimagine farm dams as biofiltration systems, lining their edges with native sedges, reeds, and rushes that soak up nutrients and sediment in runoff before it reaches rivers.

Successful wetland revegetation relies on selecting native species tailored to specific water depths. Each species has specific tolerance to inundation and oxygen availability, ensuring optimal growth, survival and effective establishment within aquatic ecosystems.

Along creeks, riparian rehabilitation projects are restoring the native forests that once shaded and stabilised waterways. Effective rehabilitation typically involves stabilising banks to reduce erosion, re-establishing native vegetation to provide habitat and shade, and excluding or carefully managing stock access to prevent further degradation.

Waterway banks can be stabilised by reshaping steep or eroded areas and reinforcing them with natural materials such as coir logs, rock armouring or geotextiles to reduce erosions from flow and runoff. Establishing riparian vegetation with a variety of root types, such as tap roots, fibrous roots, adventitious roots and rhizomatous roots, to bind the soil improves structural integrity and provides long term stabilisation of the bank.

Floating wetlands or rafts planted with aquatic vegetation that trap sediment are increasingly being used across Australia to take up nutrients and offer habitat for birds and frogs. Simple rafts can be fashioned from pipe and geofabric for domestic uses whilst large scale, commercial modules are available for lakes, wetlands and bioretention basins. Many companies are investing in floating wetland trials as early research shows the cost can be more effective than other engineering options to remove nitrogen and phosphorous.

Rainforests: Managing the Weeds, and Letting Nature do the Work

In the subtropical rainforests of South East Queensland, the greatest challenge isn’t replanting — it is removing the competition. Decades of disturbance have allowed invasive vines and aggressive shrubs to outcompete native plants. Yet, once these weeds are managed, nature often takes care of the rest.

Seed banks hidden in the soil awaken. Pioneering species such as wattles, bleeding hearts and macaranga emerge first, creating shade and shelter for slower-growing species.

Natural regeneration is the process by which vegetation recovers on its own without active planting, using existing seed banks, root stock and nearby seed sources. Given the right conditions such as reduced disturbance and competition, adequate moisture and protection from grazing, native plants can establish naturally, often resulting in more resilient and locally adapted ecosystems. In heavily degraded patches, restoration may include replanting tube stock carefully chosen to match the locations original vegetation type.

Changing Practises

The bush regeneration community is moving away from using plastic tree guards where possible to reduce the consumption of plastic. However, there is sometimes still the need to protect young trees in areas which are heavily browsed by wallabies or even dug up by native bush rats and brush turkeys.

Fencing off livestock is equally vital for rehabilitation because it prevents trampling, grazing and soil compaction that can severely hinder vegetation recovery. Livestock disturb fragile soils, damage young seedlings and contribute to erosion and sediment runoff into waterways, which degrades both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. By excluding stock, natural regeneration processes can occur, allowing native plants to establish and root systems to stabilise the soil.

Soon enough, anecdotal signs of recovery appear – a whipbird call, a skink darting across leaf litter, a scatter of fruit from a young rainforest tree. Biodiversity, once nearly lost, begins to reassert itself.

Deserts: Revegetation Against the Odds

Out in Australia’s arid heart, revegetation looks different – slower, subtler, but no less remarkable.

The first step is fixing the land’s skeleton: removing any imported materials, ripping compacted soil, replacing lost topsoil, and recreating natural contours by filling pits and removing bunds that disrupt water flow.

Then comes the question of seeding. Trials show that natural regeneration, allowing wind, flood, and fauna to spread seed, can be as effective as sowing by hand. When seeding is needed, local provenance matters; using locally collected seed ensures genetic integrity and survival in harsh conditions. Where local collection is not feasible, seed can be purchased from native suppliers, however as with rainforest revegetation it is essential to only select species that are already naturally occurring on site and/or native to the regional ecosystem type. The overall goal: a mosaic of grasses, shrubs, and trees that mirrors the natural assemblage.

Timing is crucial. Plant or seed just before the wet season; too early or too late, and the effort can vanish into dust. In arid Australia, rainfall is highly variable and often limited and sometimes torrential, so timing activities to coincide with optimal conditions maximises plant establishment and survival. Poor timing can lead to high mortality, wasted resources and the need for rework, whereas aligning revegetation with favourable conditions supports more efficient, resilient restoration outcomes.

Fauna Habitat Creation

To jump-start habitat, regeneration crews leave woody debris piles, offering shade and shelter for small mammals, reptiles, and insects. They also play a role in stabilising soil, reducing erosion, retaining moisture, regulating temperature and capturing organic matter, which supports seed germination and improves overall ecosystem recovery.

Soil Sampling

On sites such as gas fields, soil sampling is often required before rehabilitating infrastructure such as flare pits and mud sumps to accurately characterise the type, extent and concentration of contaminants present, such as hydrocarbons, salts, heavy metals or drilling additives. This information is critical for determining whether soils can be treated in situ, encapsulated, require removal to a licenced facility, or need specific remediation techniques such as bioremediation.

Sampling also establishes baseline conditions to inform risk assessments, ensuring that rehabilitation measures protect human health and the environment, particularly surrounding soil and groundwater. In addition, it supports compliance with regulatory requirements and provides measurable criteria to demonstrate that remediation objectives have been achieved prior to site closure or relinquishment.

Weed Control for Revegetation

Ongoing weed control in all regenerating ecosystems is essential to successful revegetation because invasive species can rapidly outcompete native plants for light, water and nutrients, limiting establishment and altering ecosystem structure. Without continued management, weeds can dominate revegetation areas, supress natural regeneration and reducing biodiversity – often setting back rehabilitation progress.

Effective weed control supports the growth of native species, allows root systems to develop and stabilise soils and helps re-establish ecological processes. It also reduces long-term maintenance burden by preventing weed seed set and spread, ultimately contributing to a more resilient and self-sustaining ecosystem.

Successful Revegetation

Successful rehabilitation of wetlands, rainforests and desert ecosystems relies on a shared set or core principles – understanding the original ecosystem and its processes, restoring natural hydrology and soil function and selecting locally appropriate native species.

Effective rehabilitation also requires minimising disturbance, controlling threats such as weeds and grazing and aligning works with seasonal conditions to support plant establishment.

Ongoing monitoring and adaptive management are critical to respond to changing conditions and long-term success.

Ultimately, rehabilitation should aim to re-establish resilient, self-sustaining ecosystems that reflect the structure, function and biodiversity of the original environment.

For more information on revegetation, contact us: https://appliedes.com.au/contact-us-environmental-consultants-brisbane/

How felled timber is powering streambank rehabilitation in South East Queensland

When you think of streambank rehabilitation, timber waste might not come to mind as a solution; but at a recent International Erosion Control Association Australasia (IECA) Australasia workshop, that thinking was turned on its head.

Hosted by the IECA and Healthy Land and Water, the workshop titled Using Wood in Streambank Recovery and Resilience brought together a passionate community of environmental specialists, consultants, and practitioners. Their mission? To explore how the humble tree, often cleared and discarded during construction, can play a vital role in protecting and rejuvenating our waterways.

From Waste to Wonder

Too often, vegetation felled during construction is mulched or hauled away. But what if, instead of seeing it as waste, we viewed it as a resource?

That’s exactly what the workshop demonstrated. With insightful presentations and real-world case studies, attendees learned how timber, when used strategically, becomes a powerful tool for erosion control and habitat creation. Timber piles, log jams, and woody debris structures not only stabilise banks, they also slow water flow, form pools, and foster biodiversity by reconnecting fragmented ecosystems.

A Blueprint for Smarter Rehabilitation

One of the standout messages from the day was the importance of forward planning. Rehabilitation begins long before boots hit the ground. With the right design approach, felled trees can be repurposed on-site, reducing costs, waste, and environmental impact. It’s a sustainable, circular model that benefits both projects and the planet.

Even better? These natural methods don’t stand alone. Workshop examples showcased blended techniques – combining timber structures with rock armouring and extensive revegetation to deliver stability today and resilience tomorrow.

Real Voices, Real Impact

What made the workshop truly impactful were the stories shared by on-the-ground practitioners. Their candid insights into the challenges and rewards of working with natural materials gave depth to the day’s learning. It’s one thing to talk about theory, it’s another to hear how local teams are putting it into practice and making a tangible difference in South East Queensland.

Key Takeaways

• Natural materials like timber offer both structural integrity and ecological value.
• Smart planning can turn cleared vegetation into a powerful restoration asset.
• A whole-of-ecosystem approach leads to more resilient, long-term outcomes.
• Blending natural and engineered methods results in better, more sustainable solutions.

Rewriting the Rehabilitation Playbook

This workshop was more than an educational event it was a call to action. It reminded us that rehabilitation isn’t just about repairing damage; it’s about shifting our mindset to work with nature, not against it. And it showed that, with the right approach, what we once saw as “waste” could be the key to healthier waterways and stronger communities.

Photo credit: Ipswich City Council / Healthy Land & Water

At Applied Environment & Safety, we are proud to support this type of planning and rehabilitation. Whether you’re planning clearing vegetation or rehabilitation, our team can help identify solutions, such as reusable timber to integrate it into erosion control strategies, and oversee the implementation. Together, we can design solutions that are smart, sustainable, and ecosystem-friendly from day one. For more information on how we can support you, click here.

How Native Gardens Boost Sustainability

Native gardens are becoming essential features of sustainable urban living, offering numerous environmental benefits right in our own backyards. By planting native species, we help support local wildlife, improve soil health, and reduce the need for water, pesticides and fertilisers. Native gardens are more than just aesthetically pleasing, they are vital ecosystems that foster biodiversity and strengthening the resilience of our urban environments.

Supporting Local Wildlife

One of the greatest advantages of native gardens is their ability to provide essential habitat for local wildlife. Birds, insects, small mammals and reptiles find food, shelter and nesting opportunities among native plants helping sustain local populations threatened by habitat loss.

Skinks and geckos, for example, thrive in these urban garden environments using ground cover, rocks and native flora. They also control insect populations naturally further contributing to garden health.

Native plants are also uniquely adapted to the local climate, requiring less water, fertilisers and maintenance than exotic species. This makes them not only biodiversity friendly but also cost-effective, reducing resource consumption while creating a self-sustaining ecosystem.

A Community Approach to Restoration

In Noosa, not-for-profit organisations like Urban Wildlife Gardens (UWG) are pioneering efforts to integrate native gardens into environmental restoration initiatives. Through home garden visits, UWG provides expert advice on enhancing biodiversity in residential spaces and offering free native plants tailored to local conditions. They also distribute educational newsletters, inspiring residents to transform their backyards into thriving ecosystems that support native flora and fauna.

By restoring urban habitats, these initiatives help conserve endangered species while strengthening regional biodiversity.

Community-driven approaches such as these demonstrate how small, individual actions can collectively contribute to broader environmental goals. Learn more about how UWG is transforming urban spaces with native gardens at https://urbanwildlifegardens.org.au.

Making an Impact Through Native Gardening

Choosing native plants for our gardens isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s a powerful step toward environmental sustainability. These simple yet meaningful changes enhance local ecosystems while supporting global efforts to preserve biodiversity. By embracing native gardens, we contribute to broader ecological goals that align with global conservation efforts, including the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals.

Native gardens advance the following Sustainability Development Goals.

Our Commitment

Applied Environment & Safety’s Director, Melanie Dixon, has been a member of UWG for over five years and is committed to gardening which supports local biodiversity. Melanie has targeted the removal of environmental weeds from her garden and planting with local species suited to the micro-climates of the garden. Melanie says that “The birds, insects and lizards that are attracted to my garden is quite amazing”.

For more information on Applied Environment & Safety’s commitment to environmental sustainability, click here.

Applied Environment & Safety is looking for a new team member. Our range of projects continues to grow and so we are seeking an environmental consultant to join our team.

About the job

Drive environmental outcomes & be part of our sustainable business
Are you passionate about environmental compliance and looking to work on large construction projects? Do you want to be part of a consultancy that leads by example and leads real change?

Applied Environment & Safety is growing, and we are looking for an environmental consultant to part of our team. This is an exciting opportunity to collaborate with experts, deliver practical solutions and make a real impact.

Why join our team?
– Work on important renewable energy & infrastructure projects
– Be part of a team committed to sustainability & environmental excellence
– Enjoy a flexible & supportive work environment with remote working options
– Access mentoring and support with our collaborative team
– Competitive salary, performance incentives & work-life balance

What will do
– Lead environmental onsite compliance support for major infrastructure projects
– Manage project approvals, risk assessments, and compliance strategies
– Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams
– Engage in business development by supporting proposals and client relationships
– Stay ahead of legislation & policy changes, shaping sustainable project outcomes

What we are looking for
– 5+ years of experience in environmental approvals or planning in the infrastructure or energy sectors
– Previous onsite environmental construction experience is highly desirable
– Passion for environmental excellence
– Strong project management, problem solving and stakeholder engagement skills

What we offer
Flexibility – Work-from-home options & additional purchased leave
Incentives & perks – Performance bonuses, wellness days & professional memberships
Impact-driven work – Help drive the transition to clean energy & sustainable solutions

At Applied Environment & Safety, environmental excellence and sustainability is at the core of everything we do.

If you are ready to make a difference and grow your career, we want to hear from you!

Send your resume and cover letter to: info@appliedes.com.au

Scott Stevens is a newly appointed Environmental Graduate with a diverse background combining hands-on experience, academic achievement in ecology, conservation and urban environments, along with strong leadership skills refined during his military service. His practical expertise is further supported by his qualification as a carpenter, which offers valuable insight into the construction industry and strengthens his credibility with practical solutions.

His military service exposed him to a range of cultures and lifestyles, deepening his respect for nature and local communities. Now embarking on his consultancy career, Scott is committed to bridging academic research and real-world application by supporting initiatives that enhance biodiversity, promote sustainable land management, and develop resilient ecosystems.

Driven by his belief that progress and the natural world can work in harmony, Scott values collaboration and creative problem-solving. He is passionate about contributing to sustainable solutions that benefit both our clients and the broader community while maintaining the integrity of the environment throughout every project.

While working on construction projects in Queensland, it’s important to be aware of how your work might affect local wildlife. The Nature Conservation Act 1992 focuses on protecting nature, especially wildlife and their habitats, while ensuring any use of these natural resources is sustainable.

If your project could impact the breeding places of protected animals, from those that are critically engandered to those considered least concern, you’ll need a Species Management Program (SMP). Breeding places include not only obvious spots like birds nests or tree hollows but also less visible areas where animals like frogs and reptiles breed.

What does an Species Management Program do?

An SMP helps to:

• Spot risks – identify any potential threats to animal breeding sites due to your project
• Manage impact – put in place measures to avoid to minimise any harm to these sites, both now and in the future
• Keep track – set up monitoring and reporting to ensure your efforts are effective and compliance reporting can be completed

Types of Species Management Programs

There are two types of SMPs:

• High risk – for species that are colonial breeders (e.g. groups of animals of the same kind co-existing in close association for breeding purposes), special least concern, near threatened, vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered
• Low risk – for species of least concern that aren’t colonial breeders

Species Management Programs and other approvals

Keep in mind, an SMP doesn’t cover everything, such as clearing vegetation, which might need approval under other laws like the Planning Act 2016 or the Vegetation Management Act 1999.

The bottom line

If you’re in construction, knowing the ins and outs of the Nature Conservation Act 1992 and SMPs is crucial. It ensures you’re not only following the rules but also playing a part in protecting Queensland’s wildlife. Proper planning and following the SMP guidelines will help you reduce your project’s environmental impact while keeping your project on track.

Applied Environment & Safety has maintained certification as a certified carbon neutral company through Climate Active. While we are a small business with relatively low carbon emissions, we believe in playing our part in protecting the climate and implementing sustainable business practices. By achieving Climate Active certification, we join a collective group of companies committed to environmental sustainability by reducing carbon emissions and climate change impacts.

What is Climate Active?

Climate Active is an Australian Government initiative and organisation that certifies businesses, products, services and events as carbon neutral. Climate Active certification is awarded to Australian businesses that have met rigorous requirements to achieve net zero carbon emissions. This requires a business to credibly reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and then offset any remaining emissions through the purchase of carbon offsets.

This certification demonstrates our committment to sustainable business practices. Our Climate Active certification ensures we are accountable for our carbon footprint and this is one aspect of our formalised sustainability goals.

How does Applied Environment & Safety maintain carbon neutral certification?

Each year to maintain carbon neutral certification, we are required to complete Step 2 to 6 of the Climate Active certification process pictured below:

• Step 2 – calculating our annual emissions from business operations
• Step 3 – reviewing progress against our Emissions Reduction Strategy
• Step 4 – purchase offsets equivalent to our annual net emissions
• Step 5 – engaging an independent registered consultant who is certified under the Climate Active Carbon Neutral Standard
• Step 6 – publicly disclosing our carbon neutral claim

By following this process, our clients can have confidence that by working with us, they are supporting our carbon neutral operations; having a net zero impact on climate change while engaging our services; and working with an organisation dedicated to sustainability and continuous improvement.

For more details on our carbon neutral status including our Emissions Reduction Strategy, view our Public Disclosure Statement.

For more information on Climate Active and their initiatives, visit Climate Active.

In the construction industry, implementing effective erosion and sediment controls is essential for minimising environmental impact. Erosion of soil and sedimentation into waterways from construction sites can significantly harm local waterways, ecosystems, and other infrastructure. Erosion and sediment controls measures, such as ground cover, sediment basins, and erosion control blankets, help prevent soil erosion and minimise sediment runoff.

With each storm system across Australia, erosion results in plumes of sediment within waterways and into the oceans, significantly altering the water chemistry and ecosystem function. A recent study from the University of Queensland determined that southeast Queensland’s Moreton Bay area of clean sand which is prime habitat for dugongs has reduced from 442 km² fifty years ago to only 30 km² today. The deposition of sediment smothers underwater plants and deteriorates ecosystem health. This fine sediment pollution, transported from as far as Toowoomba within the Brisbane River catchment, is caused predominantly from land use changes and loss of vegetation.

By prioritising erosion and sediment controls, construction projects can demonstrate environmental responsibility, comply with regulations, and protect natural resources. This includes the development and implementation of Sediment and Erosion Controls Plans. Effective planning and implementation of controls can assist with project budgets and timelines through improving site access during wet conditions and minimising rehabilitation costs.

If you are unsure of your requirements sediment and erosion control, then reach to us today.

Stay tuned for more posts about the latest in best practice for erosion and sediment control.

Applied Environment & Safety has been working in the field with Biodiverse Environmental to validate our desktop flora and fauna review through a targeted ecological and weed survey. Findings from this fieldwork will assist us with the development of specific management plans for flora and fauna, biosecurity, and rehabilitation for the Fraser Coast Solar Farm project.

This renewable energy project comprises of a 350 mW solar facility. The project involves reconfiguration of four rural lots to facilitate the construction of 900,000 solar collector panels. The solar panels, arranged as modules and supported by inverters, will be installed alongside power stations to feed electricity generated directly into the existing adjoining substation.

Our support to the project includes the development of the Construction Environmental Management Plan and environmental aspect specific sub-plans for Council approval. As well as the management of additional studies and secondary approvals.

Following the targeted ecology and weed survey, a nocturnal survey will be undertaken to develop a Species Management Program. This survey will target the identification of any project activities that have the potential to impact on breeding places of protected fauna such as amphibians in billabongs and dams as well as microbats in trees.

Species Management Program

A Species Management Program is required if development activities have the potential to impact on a breeding place of an animal classified as critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable, near threatened, special least concern, colonial breeder or least concern. Under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 and Nature Conservation (Animals) Regulation 2020, significant penalties apply if development works impact a breeding place without an approved Species Management Program.

This is an exciting opportunity for Applied Environment & Safety to be supporting Global Power Generation Australia in the development of their environmental management plans and supporting their Council approval. We are very happy to be supporting this local project and be part of the growing renewable infrastructure on the Fraser Coast.

For more information on the services that we provide, visit our What We Do page.

Applied Environment & Safety have been supporting Enerven on the Eyre Peninsular Transmission Line Demolition project. This decommissioning project involves the demolition and disposal of two transmission lines and site rehabilitation. In total, 507 structures over about 213 km have been decommissioned from Whyalla to Port Lincoln in South Australia.

Our team contributed their operational experience to support onsite environmental and land access management for the project, focussing on biosecurity, landholder management and protection of flora and fauna.

One challenge on the project was the management of birds nesting in towers to be demolished. The project approval allowed for the destruction of birds’ nests, however it was opted not to impact species listed as endangered, vulnerable or rare under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972.

Our onsite Environmental Consultant, Lachlan Peace, supported the project team by delivering and implementing the Bird Management Procedure. Lachlan led the collection of field data in order to identify species and lifecycle information. He also developed training information for work crews to ensure minimal disturbance to birds’ nests.

Preparing and delivering a site based environmental induction takes specific skills and knowledge. It may seem like a fairly simple process however many people get it wrong or miss the point. Most site based environmental inductions are too long, not interactive and generally not understood by the audience. This means poor outcomes in regards to communicating with your employees and contractors about the environmental issues and controls of your business or project.

Why is it important to prepare great site based environmental inductions

These inductions are often the primary time you have with your staff and contractors to share information on approvals and key environmental risks and sensitivities. As well as mitigation and management strategies to be implemented and how to respond in the event of an environmental hazard or incident.

It’s a lot of information to share!

To help, we’ve pulled together our top five tips for creating a site based environmental induction that will engage and educate your audience.

Five Tips

After the site based environmental induction

The induction is not the only time you have to communicate environmental information to staff and contractors. To reinforce important environmental risks, such as exclusion zones, or provide more detail on processes, such as the spill response procedure, additional tools like environmental alerts and toolbox talks can be used to support environmental education.

When you’re following our tips and developing a concise site based environmental induction, take note of the key topics that could benefit from further explanation. This will be your prompt to detail and develop a suite of supporting information materials. These materials can be placed up on noticeboards in key areas of the workplace, shared at toolbox talks or distributed in work packs.

Do you need assistance?

We have extensive experience in the development and delivery of environmental inductions and training materials.

Contact us if you need support or have a detailed question for one of our team of experts.