Lessons learned: Navigating environmental approvals for rail infrastructure
At a glance
Securing environmental approvals for major rail infrastructure projects is a complex and often evolving process, which depending on the local context and challenges, can take many years. As high speed rail is considered on Australia’s east coast, project teams need a constructive, forward-looking perspective to help navigate common challenges and deliver better outcomes for all stakeholders. Drawing on our 90+ year Australian history and demonstrated track record and experience across multiple rail infrastructure approval projects, we outline practical considerations for future projects.High Speed Rail: Faster journeys, connected communities
Why biodiversity studies are important for large infrastructure projects
Effective ecological field studies, assessments and offset strategies are project enablers, not simply compliance exercises. Done well, these activities typically require long lead times and robust, seasonal data.
The critical technical inputs for a project – such as land use and tenure, geotechnical, flooding and hydrology, air and noise, contaminated land, socio-economic factors and climate risk – must all be appropriately scoped and assessed, often informed by a Terms of Reference, to support rail infrastructure approvals. While these specialist studies are generally stand-alone reports, there are often interdependencies between the different technical areas. Our in-house technical teams and specialist partners have experience in delivering these studies and collaborating to inform environmental impact statements (EIS)’s.
By navigating the complex approval requirements at the Commonwealth, State and local levels, our teams can help clients avoid deal-breaking obligations and keep projects viable.
When it comes to environmental approvals, the aim should be to get it right the first time. Inadequate submissions can lead to costly delays and additional peer reviews. Investing in thorough, scientifically justified applications from the outset is critical to managing schedule and budget risks. Having a team with specialist knowledge and experience that understands all the contributors to a successful application is the first step towards approval.
Evolving guidelines and field ecology challenges
Ecological field surveys are conducted in accordance with a range of State and Commonwealth survey guidelines and legislated methodologies. Our approach provides a rigorous assessment of biodiversity values and helps us identify the potential significance of impacts. For large infrastructure projects, we conduct studies over many years to survey threatened species in the appropriate seasons and according to relevant guidelines.
As more information is collected through surveys and scientific studies, guidelines may change during the preparation of the EIS. This can result in additional surveys to meet updated requirements, which may increase project timeframes and costs. We regularly liaise with government agencies so that changes to survey methods and associated project risks are conveyed promptly to our clients. When survey guidelines change, we must adapt quickly to support approvals processes.
Land access issues and data management
Large-scale projects often span hundreds of kilometres, with portions crossing private land or sensitive habitats. Negotiating access with landholders is essential for conducting fieldwork and gathering accurate data. Where access is restricted, extrapolation and rapid assessment techniques, such as “over the fence” surveys, become necessary, but must be justified with robust scientific reasoning. Sometimes, when direct surveys aren’t possible, the assumption of the presence of threatened species can be necessary, impacting offset calculations and risk management.
Our teams have developed robust, proven methodologies for mapping and quantifying ecological impacts and offsets, including metrics for connectivity and train strike impacts. The success of these approaches has seen them inform broader guidelines in NSW, demonstrating the value of scientific rigor and adaptability.
Reliable Geographic Information System (GIS) platforms and meticulous data management are non-negotiable. Our experience is that flexible solutions and internal support for data platforms are important to the success of environmental applications.
Collaborating with specialists and developing innovative, scientifically credible methodologies is essential for addressing research gaps and meeting stringent approval conditions.
Community and stakeholder engagement
Gaining the support of the community, and bringing stakeholders, including First Nations stakeholders, along on the journey, is crucial. Vocal opposition can delay projects and increase costs, while proactive engagement, including community benefit funds and involvement in project design, builds trust and social licence.
We’ve learned from our work on renewable energy projects that co-design, community engagement and benefit sharing can influence policy and improve outcomes. When we engage with environmental groups and use alternative media channels, we broaden outreach and can bring stakeholders on board early helping to give them a feeling of connection or ownership over project outcomes.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a growing, and valuable tool in compiling and assessing large volumes of engagement data. GHD’s Unpack™ uses AI to process and analyse thousands of free-text comments, transforming raw data into actionable insights for clients within days, not months.
Likewise, regular communication with government agencies and regulators is also valuable. It can help streamline approval processes and foster the adoption of innovative assessment methods. We have built strong and enduring relationships with government agencies over many years of delivering large and complex approval projects.