Freshwater & Marine surveys
Austral has the equipment and skills to undertake fish, macroinvertebrate, amphibian and water quality surveys in freshwater, groundwater, estuarine and marine environments. We use a combination of nets, backpack, boat and bank mounted electrofishing units, recorders and multiprobe water quality equipment. We are also the Australian distributors of E-Fish backpack units.
Bathymetric Mapping
A Z boat fitted with a CEESCOPE dual frequency sonar or a multibeam sonar, coupled with a TRIMBLE R4 rover unit and a R4 GPS unit run with a HYPACK bathymetric survey program can provide depth, substrate and volume information for a range of applications such as sludge ponds, tailings dams and weir pools.
Compliance Monitoring
Environmental Impact Assessments and Environmental Impact/ Effect Statements are used to assess the potential impact of works on the environment and are often required by various Acts prior to discharges, planning permits or amendments. Austral uses a number of techniques to assess compliance with licences such as macroinvertebrate and stygofauna assessments, sediment sampling and water quality testing.
Policy development
We work with a number of other consultants, researchers and environmental managers to ensure that policies and procedures are based on sound science.
Wetland and wastewater management
In addition to environmental research and consulting, Austral also services and repairs wastewater treatment systems across south west Victoria.
Volunteer work
As an owner-operated business we have the freedom to donate both our time and resources to important community and research projects such as field days, platypus surveys and helping local students gain valuable work experience.
Flora and Fauna
We have the expertise to conduct Flora and fauna (Biodiversity) Assessments, Targeted flora and fauna surveys and Fauna Salvage and relocation.
We can also prepare EPBC Act Referrals, Flora and Fauna Management Plans, Environmental Management Plans, prepare and implement Wind Farm Bat and Avifauna Management Plans and source and establish Offsets.
