Projects and Services  

Melanie is experienced in undertaking and overseeing fauna surveys consistent with Environmental Protection Authority Environmental Factor Guideline – Terrestrial Fauna (EPA, 2016), Technical Guidance – Sampling methods for Terrestrial Vertebrate Fauna (EPA, 2020), Technical Guidance – Terrestrial Fauna Surveys (EPA, 2020) and Sampling of Short-Range Endemic Invertebrate Fauna (EPA, 2016). 

She is licenced to operate remotely controlled aircraft and utilises tools such as pole cameras.

She has undertaken Basic (Level 1) surveys for general species identification and habitat characterisation and targeted surveys for Threatened Species, including:

• The three Threatened species of black cockatoo: Carnaby's cockatoo, Baudin's cockatoo and forest red-tailed black cockatoo;

• Western Ringtail Possum; and

• Main’s Assassin Spider.

Projects include:

• Targeted Survey, Vancouver Beach Resort, Goode Beach.

• Targeted Survey, Nullaki Lime Pit.  Melanie was an expert witness in a State Administrative Tribunal for environmental matters relating to the lime pit proposal.

• Basic fauna survey (formerly Level 1) and targeted black cockatoo assessment – Queens Park for City of Canning.

• Targeted Fauna Survey, Access Roads, Youngs Siding.

• Western Ringtail Possum monitoring at Mount Melville for the Oyster Harbour Catchment Group.

• Western Ringtail possum and black cockatoo habitat assessment, Bayonet Head for Heath Development Company and the Department of Communities.

• Development of fauna management plans and implementation of pre-clearing fauna survey for Albany Ring Road Stage 3a for Decmil and Main Roads WA.

• Pre-clearing fauna survey for Western Ringtail Possum and three species of Black Cockatoo for Nullaki Limepit Access Road Construction. 

Melanie has also undertaken and overseen Detailed (Level 2) fauna surveys, which included capture and release of species, including at:

• Perth Airport for the Federal Airports Corporation.

• Denmark, WA as part of an educational program.

• Ellenbrook for Multiplex Corporation.

Melanie has undertaken fauna spotting prior to clearing of native vegetation, in order to comply with Clearing Permits, including for the Albany Ring Road for Main Roads WA.  Relocation of species as required prior to development has been undertaken:

• Relocation of Quenda from Bayview Heights for Peet Bayonet Head Syndicate.

• Quenda surveys and relocations at Secret Harbour for Satterley Group.

• Fauna spotting and relocation during clearing for the Nullaki Lime Pit access road as required by Clearing Permit Conditions.

• Fauna spotting and relocation during clearing for the Albany Ring Road (Stage 2).

Other aspects of fauna surveys undertaken include:

• Development of survey sampling and monitoring methodology.

• Bird and bat utilisation surveys for wind farm development including characterisation of flight heights, data collection for collision risk analysis, interpretation of acoustic and ultrasonic data, point and transect surveys.

• Applications for licences (where required).

• Mapping of habitat, vegetation and wetlands.

• Liaison with landowners and regulatory authorities such as the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.

• Reporting as required to satisfy planning, clearing or licensing conditions.

• Preparation of Construction Environmental Management Plans relating to fauna management.

• Development of Index of Biodiversity Surveys for Assessments (IBSA) data.

Melanie, when with a previous company worked with MP Rogers and Associates, the Shire of Jerramungup and other land managers to develop a practical Coastal Management Plan and a First Pass Hazard Assessment to guide planning and implementation.

The plan identified coastal erosion and inundation hazard timelines for further assessment at priority areas. ‘At risk’ areas will be incorporated into the shire’s local planning strategy as a trigger for future assessment.  An assessment of coastal nodes identified complicated tenure, including UCL, UMR and private land, most of which is not within the responsibility of the Shire of Jerramungup.  The bulk of the coast may be subject to native title settlement, which presents opportunities for joint management.  To combat this issue, an integrated approach was taken to recommendations, regardless of tenure.  Coastal management actions were prioritised using a number of engagement methodologies, including steering committee meetings, interviews, visiting coastal areas during peak times, use of social media, online and paper surveys, attendance at local events and release of a draft document for public comment. 

One of the key stakeholders, the Department of Transport provided the following feedback on the draft document: ‘…it is surely one of the best CHRMAP reports I have seen in recent years. Thank you for the great efforts in making it easy to read and understand by all stakeholders and general public.’

Melanie was engaged by Decmil Southern Pty Ltd over a three-year period to provide environmental services for the construction of Stage 2 of the Albany Ring Road. Main Roads WA had engaged Decmil to undertake this significant infrastructure project.

Melanie provided environmental services including preparation and periodic review of a Construction Environmental Management Plan and various sub-plans, to manage environmental factors such as management of dewatering, acid sulfate soils, fauna, vegetation clearing, site hygiene (weeds and dieback), contamination and waste.

The project involved the following activities:

• Working closely with Decmil and Main Roads WA personnel, to ensure that environmental factors were appropriately managed with required outcomes in terms of site management, approvals and reporting.

• Development and documentation of a sampling and monitoring framework for surface and groundwater quality, dust, noise and vibration.

• Preparation of a Dewatering Management Plan and securing a 5c licence under the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914, including neutralisation of potentially acid water to allow for the installation of bridge footings. Subsequently, the successful dewatering operation was finished with a closure report accepted by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER).

• Provision of practicable solutions for management of Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM), remediation and disposal in accordance with statutory requirements and guidelines.

• Undertaking inspections relating to erosion and sedimentation management, with involvement in staging and implementation of drainage design.

• Preparation of reports in line with CEMP objectives and client/regulator requirements for waste, water use, wastewater generation, vegetation clearing, fuel and energy use.

• Supporting the infrastructure sustainability council rating process required by Main Roads, including the planning and implementation of additional sustainability initiatives.

• Ensuring that key performance indicators were met for environmental and safety factors.

• Providing toolbox sessions to Decmil staff and on-site contractors, covering subjects of waste management, hydrocarbon spills, asbestos, noise, fauna and vegetation protection. 

Melanie has worked with the City of Albany and other stakeholders to prepare the Albany Local Biodiversity Strategy (ALBS), with funding provided by the Western Australian Local Government Association. The project has involved:

• Stakeholder engagement through workshops and meetings. Active participation was encouraged, and input shaped the development of the Strategy.

• Analysis of data provided by the WA State Government to rank local natural areas (LNA) based on biodiversity features such as size, presence of Threatened and Priority species and ecological communities, connectivity, security of tenure and presence of wetlands, water courses and other patches of native vegetation.

• The development of a mapping tool https://www.albany.wa.gov.au/ALBSmappingtool which allows for the ranking of biodiversity values, so the City has a clearer picture of biodiversity in the municipality and can adopt a framework to enable the protection and management of local biodiversity. This will help the City identify conservation priorities and strategies to protect biodiversity, retain natural ecological processes, and manage and enhance LNAs, providing a resilient environment for people and ecosystems to flourish into the future.

• Development of draft actions with prioritisation through an annual action plan, with a framework for monitoring and reporting on progress to enable review and continual improvement of the ALBS to achieve the City’s local biodiversity goals.

The Strategy focuses on preserving biodiversity values through processes under the City's control, including planning decisions and other legislative responsibilities, as well as advocacy and the retention, conservation, and management of LNAs on City-managed land.

The goal is that the Strategy will help to retain, protect and manage a representative network of LNA, with community input, so these areas are healthy, connected and resilient in the future.

Also, the ALBS will encourage and enable landowners to retain, manage, and enhance local biodiversity on their land, contributing to the many benefits that native plants, animals, and vegetation provide the community.

Evolved Environmental provides professional site and soil evaluations to support land development, wastewater management, and environmental approvals across Western Australia. These assessments determine the suitability of land for on-site wastewater disposal, subdivision, or development in accordance with state and local planning requirements. Each evaluation considers soil texture, structure, permeability, depth, drainage, slope, and landscape position, ability to sorb phosphorus, proximity to sewerage sensitive areas, along with underlying geology, vegetation, and groundwater conditions.

All investigations are undertaken in alignment with the Government Sewerage Policy (2019), Department of Health’s On-site Wastewater Management guidelines, and AS/NZS 1547:2012 On-site Domestic Wastewater Management. This ensures that site capability assessments meet current regulatory expectations for protecting public health and environmental values, particularly where reticulated sewerage is unavailable. Fieldwork may include soil profile logging, permeability or infiltration testing, assessment of seasonal water levels, and identification of constraints such as nutrient export risk, waterlogging, or erosion potential.

Our reports provide clear, site-specific recommendations that guide system design, setback distances, and management requirements. Whether you are planning a new development, rural subdivision, or upgrade of an existing wastewater system, Evolved Environmental delivers accurate, science-based advice to support sound planning and sustainable land use outcomes.