How An Environmental Impact Assessment Can Save You Money

21 February 2020
 Categories: , Blog

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There are many different reasons why business owners and property developers might request an environmental impact assessment. Some do it as part of their due diligence before any project gets underway. Others are required by law to do it. Whatever the case may be, there are many benefits to getting such an assessment done, and you shouldn't be worried about it. In fact, after an environmental impact assessment, you may find several ways to save money in the long run.

What Is An Environmental Impact Assessment?

Environmental impact assessments are commonly done by consultancy firms with the purpose of examining both the obvious and hidden impacts your development will have on the surrounding environment. This includes but is not limited to:

  • Arial photography and modelling of your property
  • Multiple risk analysis frameworks
  • Sampling and testing of soil, water and local flora
  • Survey of ecosystems and regular checks on their reactions to the development

You may need some, all or even none of the above depending on your property's situation. There are many other things involved in an assessment of this kind, so if yours doesn't look exactly like the above, don't be alarmed; they are all uniquely personalised for your situation. 

How Can It Save You Money?

There are several ways an environmental impact assessment can save you a lot of money, which makes it attractive from a business point of view. Firstly, an environmental impact assessment will uncover any hidden issues that may arise with development, such as natural features that make construction far more difficult.  It will also indicate and highlight a path forward that can streamline your progress and make the whole construction process shorter. Finally, the obvious benefit is that it will protect you from any legal complications that can come from not doing your proper background research and simply bulldozing ahead. Australia has grown very protective of its environment, and that means if you aren't proactive about your environmental impact, you can get burnt fairly easily.

How Do You Find An Environmental Impact Assessment Consultant?

There are many consultancy firms that offer one version of an environmental impact assessment or another. What you want to find is one nearby that has a solid reputation and that provides services relevant to you. Remember, every impact assessment is different, so you want to get one that is tailored to your proposed development. When meeting potential clients, provide them with a brief beforehand and see what they come up with. It won't be too long before you find the perfect match!