Study of the ecology needs specialized knowledge. Environmental professionals specialize in different areas of studying the environment. For example, a few may be experts in generating the Flora and Fauna Report. There could be another person in the consultancy who may be dealing with the Effluent Disposal Report. This way different members of the team handle different assessments. The environmental-related rules are complex for the ordinary man on the street. This is the case in Australia too. Project developers can leave it to the hands of environmental professionals. Here are a few simple tips to select an environmental consultancy.
List of assessments
There
is nothing wrong with getting yourself acquainted with the different assessment
reports that you are required to submit for project approval. Why is the
internet for? It is your best ally to study the different reports. For example,
if you want a Biodiversity Stewardship Site Assessment Report (BSSAR), then you
can go through the relevant websites and update your knowledge. There is tons
of literature that you can find on the internet on these reports. You can get a
good idea about the procedures if you go through these websites. All this
knowledge will help you right from the time you start interviewing prospective
environmental professionals.
Be ready with your list of questions whenever you
are interviewing prospective environmental professionals. Find out their
strategy for your particular project. How will they go about strategizing a Vegetation
Management Plan? Similarly, what are the steps involved in a 5 Part
Test of Significance? Use the help of the internet. While you need not become
an expert, it always helps to be acquainted with the basics.
This is another important decision that you need to
make. What is it that you can afford to pay the environmental consultancy? It
is best to have an approximate figure in your mind. This will help you whenever
you are narrowing down your choice. This in turn will save you a lot of time.
Similarly, it is also better to discuss the budget with the environmental
consultancy that you are interviewing, right in the first sitting. Clarify all
your payment related terms. How many instalments are allowed? What is the
interval between each payment? Be clear with all this information, so that there
is no communication gap later on.
Compare quotes
This is a task that requires a lot of patience. Sit
down and take a close look at each of the quotes. Get to know the payment terms
of each Environmental Consultancy. Check
whether there are any hidden charges involved.
It is all about teamwork at environmental
consultancies. There are different types of professionals. For example, there
could be someone who may be a professional in SEPP 55 Contamination Assessment,
while another could be an expert in drafting reports. Check out the
qualification and experience of the team members who will be involved with your
project. A degree from a well-known college does speak volumes of a
professional. Next comes their experience. Remember, in this profession, it
does take some to get established.
