History
With offices in south west Victoria and New South Wales, Austral Research and Consulting provides environmental services throughout Australia and internationally. Senior members of our dedicated team have over 10 years experience in providing environmental solutions for a range of clients, from local water authorities through to large multinational mining companies.
Dion Iervasi has a PhD in wastewater treatment solutions and over 20 years of experience in the industry, working for universities and private consultants before becoming the Director of Austral Research and Consulting in 2011. Kylie has over 20 years of macroinvertebrate and aquatic ecology experience through working for private consultants and government departments. All of our team members have published scientific papers and authored numerous reports on their areas of expertise.
Austral is committed to providing both research and consulting skills in a variety of applications. We regularly volunteer both time and resources to conservation projects and provide opportunities for students to gain valuable work experience.
Get in touch
Feel free to get in touch with any of our staff via their email:
dion@austral.net.au
paul@austral.net.au
thorin@austral.net.au
Our Staff
Dion Iervasi
Dr Dion Iervasi has over 20 years of experience working as an aquatic ecologist. He completed his honours degree at Monash University investigating nitrogen cycling in wetlands before working in Sydney constructing wetlands, including for the Sydney Olympic precinct. He then worked as a research scientist at Monash University before accepting a scholarship to complete a PhD project at Deakin University where he investigated the effectiveness of constructed wetlands to treat wastewater using artificial substrates. Dion has worked for large consultancy firms, universities, as a sole trader, and now as an owner of Austral Research and Consulting.
Dion has extensive biological sampling and identification experience, in addition to managing, conducting and reporting on projects focusing on vegetation, wetlands, fish and macroinvertebrates.
Education
Deakin University
PhD, 2003-2008
Monash University
BSc. Env. (Hons), 1995-1998
Certificates and Qualifications
Inland Coxwains- Marine Safety Victoria
First Aid Level 2 inc. CPR
Principles and techniques of electrofishing
TLIF2080-Safely access the rail corridor
EPA Victoria RBA assessments
Kylie
Kylie has over 20 years of experience working as an aquatic ecologist. She completed her degree at Monash University with an honours project investigating the effect of urbanisation on the health of the Yarra River, focusing on macroinvertebrates on large woody debris with the CRC for Freshwater Ecology and Melbourne Water. The results of the study were published in the peer reviewed journal, Freshwater Biology. She has worked for large consultancy firms, catchment management authorites, as a sole trader and now as the part owner of Austral Research and Consulting.
Kylie has extensive experience in managing, conducting and reporting on macroinvertebrate monitoring projects. She has worked on large scale projects such as the reference River Health Project for Spring 2011 and Autumn 2012 and Spring 2014 for EPA Victoria, as well as smaller compliance monitoring and investigative projects. She has completed and passed the EPA’s RBA competency assessment and the on-line AUSRIVAS course. Kylie was the lead in the successful delivery of the 2011/2012 Reference River Health Project and regularly identifies macroinvertebrates throughout Victoria and New South Wales. She also assists with electrofishing and netting projects and has her inland coxswains certificate.
Education
Monash University
BSc. Behav. (Hons.), 1995-1998
Certificates and Qualifications
Ex 38 Marine Safety (Low Complexity Duties)
Level 2 First Aid inc. CPR
TLIF2080-Safely access the rail corridor
AUSRIVAS assessments
EPA Victoria RBA assessments
Associations
Australian Freshwater Sciences Society Inc (formerly ASL)
Paul Davies
For over 10 years Paul has been working with defence, government and private industry providing support, consultation and training services operating in the hydrographic survey. With experience in operating a wide range of equipment he has a wealth of knowledge on how to get the best result for a survey solution. With experience operating across Australia and internationally the experience gained from survey and dredge installations/support has a wealth of knowledge to draw from.
Thorin Robertson
Thorin has five years of experience working as an ecologist, specialising in fauna studies. He completed his honours degree at Deakin University investigating the presence and effect of tributyltin (an organic tin compound used in illegal boat hull antifouling agents) on Australian muricid gastropods. Thorin was then engaged as an aquatic ecologist on a range of projects including: Restoration of the Gellibrand Catchment for the Gellibrand Catchment Management Authority, Gellibrand and the development of the Index of Estuarine Conditions (IEC), Warrnambool.
Thorin has extensive experience in preparing Environmental Management Plans, Pest Management Plans and prepared and implemented bat and avifauna management plans for a range of wind farms owned by multinational wind energy clients. He has a detailed understanding of environmental legislation and has successfully prepared Referrals under the EPBC Act 1999 that were subsequently accepted by the federal government. Thorin has a detailed understanding of the Offsets process and has successfully established offset sites, prepared Section 69 Agreements and Offset Management Plans for a range of protected species and communities. He has extensive experience in managing both large and small projects and has worked for large consultancies, Universities and Parks Victoria.
Certificates and Qualifications
4WD training
Level 2 First Aid inc. CPR
TLIF2080-Safely access the rail corridor
Construction White Card
Education
Deakin University
BSc. Env. (Hons.), 2006-2009, 2011-2012