- Hay Local Environmental Plan (LEP) Review - 2009
Booth Associates have been engaged by Hay Shire Council and the Department of Planning to undertake an Urban and Rural Study, Rural Settlement Strategy and Local Environmental Plan for the shire. As part of this project Booth Associates have undertaken community engagement, including targeted stakeholder meetings, facilitated an Issues, Values and Vision Workshop. They have also prepared community survey to assist with values and issues identification, land supply and demand analysis. At this state Booth Associates have reported an Issues Paper to the Project Steering Committee, undertaken urban and rural land use surveys, conducted development and demographic analysis, biophysical analysis, environmental risk assessment, constraints mapping and are currently midway through the draft background report. Stage 2 will involve preparation of the LEP and associated mapping, and is expected to be completed in 2010. Booth Associates undertook a REF on behalf of Hay Shire Council to investigate those aspects that would be impacted by proposed upgrades to the existing town levees, which would involve significant works to all sections, including removal and reinstatement of higher and more robust embankments plus the installation of concrete walls and panels. As part of the project Booth Associates reviewed a number of flooding reports indicating the need for river bank stabilization that were considered within context of the potential impacts. Flora and fauna survey was completed by the team, including assessment of vegetation removal, trapping of vertebrates and Anabat survey. Other field investigations, including sound monitoring plus assessment of existing cultural heritage sites. Project recommendations included the requirement for indigenous archaeological survey prior to works proceeding, resolution of major issues, including the development of a construction staging plan, design limitations due to impacted residents, further flora and fauna surveys in the Spring to better inform conservation and offset resources, planning and design of emergency spillway and detention structures, resolution of access and maintenance arrangements, communication and education concerning flood risk. - Environmental Audit - 2008
Booth Associates have conducted an environmental audit, as per legislative requirements under the EPA Act, of one of Australia's largest wineries. The project involved a compliance assessment and an assessment of the environmental performance of the winery having regard to identified risks, environmental mitigation measures and controls and the environmental management framework implemented. Booth Associates reviewed a Fauna and Flora Survey on behalf of a regional Council, which supported a proposed quarry development. On-site targeted fauna and flora surveys were undertaken and assessed plus habitat condition and a number of threatened species likely to be impacted upon by the proposal were identified. The final report included recommendations for the preparation of a Species Impact Assessment if development was to be further considered by the Land and Environment Court. This project aslo involved an assessment of the planning requirements including recommendations for an Environmental Impact Assessment and the provision of expert evidence to the Land and Environment Court. Booth Associates conducted an AEMR on behalf of a major juice processing enterprise as part of their operational requirements under the EPA Act. The report identified development standards and key performance indicators relevant to the development. Booth Associates conducted soil, groundwater and wastewater monitoring and analysed trends in respect to key identified environmental risks. As part of this project Booth Associates identified hydraulic, nutrient, organic and salt loading from the wastewater irrigation regime. The environmental performance of the company was then evaluated based on the assessment of compliance, environmental risks, critical loadings and having regard to the existing environmental management systems as implemented.
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