Aquatic ecological assessments are required for many Environmental Impact Statements and Environmental Management Plans. Our highly qualified staff are able to perform a wide range of auatic fauna surveying techniques including netting, visual censuses (via both SCUBA and snorkel) and electrofishing, which is one of the most unique and effective methods for surveying fish populations in freshwater systems. We are also equipped to perform macroinvertebrate sampling using AusRivas methodology. The detailed understanding of water quality, nutrient flows, aquatic flora and aquatic fauna has allowed our team to design and establish constructed wetlands and lake systems.
C&R Consulting have worked extensively in the development and mining industries, allowing them to gain an appreciable knowledge of environmental legislation (such as the Sustainable Planning Act 2009, Environmental Protection Act 1994 and the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and all associated Policies). Knowledge of these processes allows C&R Consulting to determine solutions to environmental problems that fall within regulatory frameworks, and to closely consult with the administering authority for all aspects of environmental projects.
The distribution of vegetation throughout the landscape is inherently linked to its geomorphology. Chemical and physical soil processes can pose great controls on the distribution and abundance of vegetation in an area. C&R Consulting understands this link and regularly uses it to conduct soil mapping based on vegetation types and vice versa to add additional quality to the output of typical flora assessments.
C&R Consulting has a skilled vegetation specialist that has studied the distribution of vegetation within the seasonally arid tropics for the previous ten years, allowing an almost instinctive feel of the landscape. This has allowed C&R Consulting to gain accreditation as Certified Regional Ecosystem Assessors.
Weed control can become costly and time-consuming, therefore Weed Assessments and Management Plans of aquatic, terrestrial, and exotic weeds can play an integral role in the maintenance of a healthy functioning ecosystem and often helps improve local biodiversity. C&R Consulting's past floral projects include the formation of rehabilitation strategies for removal of Chinee Apple infestations at James Cook University; aquatic weed harvesting in Ross River and Ross Island Barracks; and analyses of environmental impacts on mangroves, sea grasses, and salt marsh vegetation.
Dr Chris Cuff is an internationally renowned expert on clay mineralogy and geochemistry and his expertise is used to solve relevant environmental problems. C&R Consulting also has vast experience in the software package Geochemists Workbench.
C&R Consulting have significant expertise in geological field mapping across all terrains and lithology types. Our highly qualified staff retain expanded knowledge of the igneous rocks of North Queensland that allow detailed petrographic analysis (including economic petrology) and petrologic interpretation of construction materials (particularly the recognition of alteration and fracture sequences that are readily translated to engineering rock quality). C&R Consulting are also highly experienced in clay mineralogy enabling accurate prediction of clay products beyond optical resolution through detailed knowledge of the gross mineralogy of geological materials as determined under the polarising light microscope.
Geomorphology describes the link between geology, soils, vegetation and water across a landscape. Undertaking a geomorphologic assessment of a project site at the beginning of a project permits C&R Consulting to define the overall landscape processes in operation.
Geomorphological investigation and assessment undertaken in the initial stages of a project provide the developer with a workable framework for future architectural and engineering overlays to meet the requirements of Compliance Agencies. C&R Consulting has over 20 years experience in marine, coastal, fluvial and terrestrial studies, and have provided services both academically and as private consultants to Local, State and Federal Governments, Industry and private developers.
Geographical Information Systems are an important management tool in Environmental Planning and Resource Management. The ability to rapidly assess and analyse various sets of data in one environment / media can be crucial to cost-effective project management, ecological planning and resource management. C&R Consulting offer new and innovative services in the field of GIS as a stand-alone service, or in conjunction with any other C&R Consulting services. This includes a total mapping process, from infield collection of spatial data to complex evaluation of environmental factors.
C&R Consulting, in conjunction with Greensols Australia, are currently developing a method of Carbon Dioxide sequestration, to reduce the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere. The proposed method produces either or both of magnesium carbonate or calcium carbonate, thus permanently and stably fixing the carbon and reducing CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere. More information about the Greensols process can be found here
C&R Consulting is internationally renowned for its understanding of the vagaries of tropical conditions, and how they relate to recharge and discharge of groundwaters. Our team of Groundwater and Hydrogeological specialists have been involved in numerous groundwater assessment programmes, assessable against appropriate Guidelines (NCPC/NEPM, ANZECC, NHMRC etc.).
C&R Consulting have vast experience in all types of hydrological analysis and have previously been involved in all of the following: Hydrological Evaluation and Modelling; Groundwater Explorations; Borefield Design and Installation; Sustainable Yield Assessments; Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR); Groundwater-Dependent Ecosystem (GDE) Investigations.
Dr Chris Cuff is an internationally renowned expert on clay mineralogy and geochemistry and his expertise is used to solve relevant environmental problems. C&R Consulting also has vast experience in petrographic mineralogy.
C&R offer an extensive range of soil investigations including; clay mineralogical, mineralogical and forensic aspects; Assessment of soil properties for agricultural purposes; Evaluation of effective treatments for improvement of physical properties of soils (dispersivity, strength, expansion, moisture content variation); and definition of origins and sources.
C&R Consulting are equipped to perform environmental monitoring of surface waters for a wide range of contaminants and/or toxicants. With a highly technical, chemical background and using detailed hydrological evaluation and modelling techniques, the C&R team are able to determine complex interactions that may occur due to the mixing of contaminated and pristine waters that may not otherwise be noted. C&R have designed, implemented and performed long-term monitoring programmes for a wide range of industries including mining, private development and government. Our team has a proven track record of determining natural, cost effective solutions to remediate contaminated waters in a proficient manner.
C&R Consulting have formed a working alliance with AME Surveys. We also work closely with a number of Town Planners. These alliances allow us to offer a complete package to the client, providing a combined, seamless approach from early exploratory investigations to the final lodgement with Local councils and other regulatory authorities.
In conjunction with AME Surveys Pty Ltd, we offer:
