Capability Statement

Ecobalance was established in 2010 as organisational development and ecological planning business to address the lack of high quality affordable services that were available to assist Aboriginal organisations, the corporate sector and government entities increase their effectiveness, efficiency and ecological stewardship.

Ecobalance has since delivered numerous projects for both private and government industry sectors, successfully balancing the competing demands of the community, the environment and economic viability.

Our vision and valuesOur vision is a world that is healthy, ecological sustainable, compassionate and vibrant. Our mission is to provide industry sectors with affordable and practical tools for achieving their long-term aspirations.

We aim to become the organisational development and ecological planning service choice for industry by undertaking our work in pursuit of the following principles:

Trust

We are committed to careful stewardship of all human, natural and financial resources. This means we use carefully the time and talents of those working with us and we spend wisely the funds invested in us.

Delivery

We are committed to a strong ethic of timely, reliable and affordable service. This reflects an alignment between what we say, what we do, and how we do it.

Innovation

We believe that we can create a better future through innovation and societal change. This sense of hope leads to creative approaches and new models that work.

Teamwork

We believe it is important to recognise the value of our partners by investing in their organisations and their people. This includes providing learning opportunities for volunteers and staff.

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www.eco-balance.com.au

About us

Vision and strategy planning

Advisory services

Organisational structure and change management

Performance management coaching

Project management

Organisational health assessments and associated reporting

Work place health and safety planning

Workplace audits

Human resource planning and training

Grant preparation and submission

Aboriginal and indigenous stakeholder

engagement

Ecological Planning Services

Environmental impact assessments

Marine and terrestrial ecology assessments

Compliance reporting

Waste management

Water and air quality assessments

Communications and stakeholder engagement

Sustainability initiatives

Feasibility studies and associated reporting

Ecological restoration planning

Fire management planning and incident management systems

Pest animal planning and management

Flora and fauna surveys

Our services

Organisational Development Services

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Organisational Development

Services

Environmental Impact

Assessments

Waste Management

Marine & Terrestrial Ecology

Assessments

Water & AirQuality

Assessments

ComplianceReporting

EnvironmentalManagement

Plans

EcologicalPlanningServices

Culture ChangePlanning

SuccessionalPlanning

Project Management

PerformanceManagement

Coaching

OrganisationalHealth

Assessments

Vision &Strategy Planning

Our people

Andrew CuttrissPrincipal Consultant

Andrew Cuttriss established Ecobalance in 2010 as an organisational development and ecological planning business to address the lack of high quality affordable services that were available to assist Aboriginal

organisations, the corporate sector and government agencies increase their effectiveness, efficiency and ecological stewardship.

Andrew has delivered numerous projects to both the private and public sectors, and has a comprehensive understanding of government policies and demonstrable experience in mentoring Aboriginal organisations.

His technical skills also extend to high level marine environmental impact assessments, both international and domestically; performance management mentoring, successional planning and aspirational and strategy development. Andrew has met many inspiring people who have shared their ideas and philosophies, allowing him to continually refine his business practices to provide innovation and high quality. His qualifications include a Master of Philosophy, a Bachelors Degree and two Diplomas.

Dr. Michael ClarkeTechnical Advisor

Dr. Michael Clarke is a seasoned and accomplished environmental scientist, and has worked as a consultant for the past 10 years in the Australian and South East Asian markets. He is certified as both an Environmental Practitioner

and Environmental Impact Assessor by the Environmental Institute of Australia and New Zealand (EIANZ), and has managed Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA) for major infrastructure projects throughout the SEA region.

In recent years, Michael’s focus has been on the renewable energy sector, and he has managed ESIAs for major hydropower, wind and geothermal projects in Pakistan, Myanmar and Vanuatu. In the Australian market, he has been heavily involved in the mining sector, and has written Environmental Management Plans (EMPs) for major coal mining projects in the Galilee Basin in Central Queensland. This documentation was successfully used to help the proponent obtain a Mining Development Lead (MDL) and other regulatory approvals.

Michael has project managed, and provided technical input (biodiversity, fisheries climate change, marine resources), for a number of large international water and renewable power and distribution projects in Australia, Egypt, Myanmar, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Uganda, Malawi, Southern Sudan and Indonesia.

Clive AhoyAboriginal Affairs Advisor

Clive Ahoy is a proud Gumbainggirr/Dunghutti Aboriginal man from the Northern Tablelands region. Clive is responsible for imparting all cultural activities and community liaison as he has blood links to all 3 local nations, Gumbangiir, Anaiwan and Dhungutti

tribes. Clive is one of the original founding members of Banbai Land Enterprises and has been a board member on the Gwydir/Border Rivers Catchment Management Board and the Northern Tablelands Native Vegetation Committee. Clive has been proactive in Aboriginal affairs for over 20 years and is passionate about Aboriginal youth and business program development. Clive has extensive knowledge of the ATSI history and families of the Northern NSW and has years of experience involved in other ATSI local, state and federal government initiatives. Clive has also established the Sunrise Aboriginal Corporation.

Steven BrooksConsultant

Steven has more than 25 years experience in organisational planning and program delivery within federal, state and local government agencies. He has a comprehensive understanding of political systems and demonstrated

experience in shaping and mentoring organisations. Steven has a pragmatic approach to administering natural resource management programs within government and community sectors. His competencies extend to: the delivery of community consultation programs; conflict resolution within the workplace; performance management coaching; and ecological planning. His qualifications include: a Bachelor of Applied Science (Parks and Recreation); a Diploma of Horticulture and an Associate Diploma of Applied Science. 4

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Featured ProjectMarine EIA Project Takara Efate Island, Vanuatu

Ecobalance was commissioned to undertake a preliminary assessment of the near shore marine environment that has potential to be impacted by the proposed geothermal plant at Takara on Efate Island in Vanuatu.

The study describes the prevailing baseline condition of Valued Environmental Components (VEC’s). Transect and quadrat habitat surveys concluded that five distinct marine habitat types including: sand/coral rock intertidal zone; hard coral dominated reef flats; hard coral dominated reef flat/sea grass complex; soft coral dominated outer fringing reef; and near shore coastal habitats.

In addition to habitat mapping, studies were also undertaken on: coral coverage, coral health, fish diversity, benthic infauna diversity, and water/sediment quality.

The results of these assessments indicate that the marine ecosystem in the investigation area is in good overall condition. The outer fringing reef habitat displays low incidences of coral bleaching and disease, and the water and sediment analyses returned results indicating low levels of contamination.

The primary impacts anticipated from the proposed geothermal plant on the marine environment are associated with the proposed use of seawater to cool the plant during the operational phase. This water would eventually be released back in to the marine environment at a temperature approximately 10°C above ambient.

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Featured ProjectEcotourism Feasibility Study

Ecobalance was commissioned to undertake a study to identify the critical planning factors for determining an economically viable ecotourism enterprise at the property known as Dorodong, which could provide training and employment opportunities for Dorodong Association and its respective members.

The study’s findings highlighted significant opportunities for attracting overnight visitors with a contemporary ecotourism style development within the Dorrigo region. Nature and cultural experiences that could be provided to the visitor include; campfire dreamtime experience, bush tucker foraging, hunting techniques, bush medicine walk, Gumbaynggirr history walk, boomerang throwing competition, digeridoo lessons and evening traditional dances.

A critical component in the planning and development for this project was close consultation with Dorodong Association members and in particular with Aboriginal elders.

Detailed consultation throughout the life of this project aimed at identifying a project champion(s) who can take project ownership and coordinate the future establishment and operation of an ecotourism enterprise.

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Featured ProjectEcological Restoration Planning

Eco-balance was engaged by Dorodong Aboriginal Association to prepare an Ecological Restoration Management Plan (ERMP) for the Dorodong Indigenous Protected Area (IPA).

The IPA is located approximately 8 kilometres north of Dorrigo NSW and forms part of the traditional lands of the Gumbaynggirr Aboriginal people. The property is managed by Dorodong Aboriginal Association whose vision is to develop Dorodong into a place where Aboriginal people can come to rekindle their culture, language and connection with the land.

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The ecological restoration objectives of the ERMP are to:

• Achieve effective long term control of weeds with

limited resources,

• Protect and enhance existing native vegetation and

fauna habitat,

• Review Farm Forest Plantation’s Weed Management

Plan and Dorodong’s Final Plan of Management to

identify ecological restoration priorities,

• Develop management actions prescribing how to

undertake ecological restoration of the various

vegetation communities,

• Detail other specified management actions that

compliment the ecological restoration objectives,

• Incorporate recommendations for aesthetically

pleasing themes using native plants for landscaping,

• Develop an a five year ecological restoration program.

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Featured ProjectMarine Valued Environmental Components Bowen QLD

Ecobalance has undertaken a preliminary assessment of the impacts to the marine environment from the discharge of treated sewerage effluent at Dalrymple Point, Bowen, QLD Australia.

This study assessed the potential impacts upon the marine environment within the investigation area from the discharge of treated sewerage effluent at Dalrymple Point. It provided:

• A ‘snapshot’ assessment of the marine ecosystem within the investigation area including: marine ecological communities, coral composition and health, seagrass composition and health, macro algae composition, mangrove composition and health and water quality;

• Assessment of potential impacts; and• Recommendations for mitigation measures and

environmental monitoring.

The study highlighted that benthic communities such as seagrasses adjacent to the outfall pipe support moderate epiphytic algae, indicative of elevated nutrients associated with the outfall pipe, and coral communities that were once present adjacent to the outfall pipe area are now absent.

The health condition of these benthic habitats may be a result of the cumulative effects from catchment run off, nutrients associated with the outfall pipe and the relatively marginal habitat location of these coral communities. However, any increased stresses are likely to reduce the resilience of adjacent marine communities, making them more susceptible to disturbance, including those associated with climate change.

Email: info@eco-balance.com.au

Website: www.ecobalance.com.au

Mailing address: PO Box 1058 Kingscliff NSW 2487

Phone: +61 416408156

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