Case Study
Supporting Recovery in Sensitive Protected Areas
Client
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
Location
North Coast NSW
Project Date
2022-2024
Ascent Ecology was engaged to support the NSW NPWS North Coast Branch from 2022 to 2024, delivering environmental assessments across two distinct programs—flood recovery works and planned asset upgrades. These included work in ecologically sensitive high visitation locations such as Cape Byron and Broken Head. The projects highlight AE’s capability to manage complex environmental logistics while maintaining full compliance with legislative requirements.
The Challenge
NPWS required urgent ecological input for recovery works across flood-affected sites—many located in environmentally sensitive or high-traffic public access areas. These included landslip zones, bridges, culverts and amenities. The assessments had to meet tight timeframes, strict compliance standards and a need for rapid mobilisation. Ascent Ecology’s challenge was to deliver accurate, regulator-ready reports that enabled safe and timely recovery while minimising disruption and safeguarding ecological values.
Our Solution
We conducted field inspections across multiple NPWS sites, preparing tailored REFs that addressed specific ecological and compliance needs for each project. Our reports balanced legislative rigour with site-specific recovery logistics, enabling efficient and timely submissions. Collaborating closely with NPWS, we aligned documentation with operational priorities, ensuring safety, ecological integrity and project timeframes were upheld without compromise.
The Result
All REFs were approved promptly, enabling works to proceed on time and without administrative setbacks. Our detailed assessments helped fast-track recovery efforts while maintaining full compliance with environmental regulations. The work demonstrated our capacity to operate within tight regulatory and scheduling constraints, protect sensitive ecosystems and support major infrastructure restoration across multiple park sites—delivering real results for both the client and the broader public.