The review of legislation is important in order to establish a starting point for site investigations (such as in identifying locations of state-mapped vegetation communities and any significant local species of flora and fauna to target during observations). Depending on the size, location and nature of the site, a site investigation may include general observations on potential habitat and animal traces, bird survey, night-time spotlighting, and animal capture using a range of standard scientific trapping and monitoring devices.

Our Ecological Assessment Reports also include preliminary advice and recommendations and, when used in conjunction with some of our other Mapping Services, can provide a very useful site-planning tool.

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vegetation mapping

Vegetation Mapping is similar to Biodiversity Survey, in that it typically commences with a review of current legislation at the Federal, State and Local Government levels.

As with Biodiversity Survey, the legislative review is important in order to establish the locations of nearby mapped vegetation communities and any significant local species of flora.

The principle difference between Biodiversity Survey and Vegetation Mapping is that the latter typically excludes fauna investigations and is principally intended to assist in the submission of a ‘Map Amendment Request’ or a ‘Property Map of Assessable Vegetation’ (PMAV) to the relevant State Government Departments or to generally inform the development of broad-scale land with specific regard to existing vegetation communities.

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visual assessment

Visual assessment, also known as Visual Impact Assessment or Visual Amenity and Landscape Character Analysis, is an evolving landscape management process by which the identification, prediction and evaluation of visual impacts of a development proposal are undertaken.

Not unlike Biodiversity Survey and Vegetation Mapping, the process usually begins with a review of relevant legislation. This is generally followed by a ‘first principles’ visual analysis (or ‘ground-truthing’ of the site and surrounds). The information gathered is then synthesized into a series of design responses which are responsible for counter-acting or mitigating the likely negative impacts of the proposal.

These principles are often most effective when used in conjunction with our other Site Assessment Tools and applied to broad-scale land development, but such assessment tools can also be modified or fine-tuned to assist with smaller scale sites and building projects.

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constraints mapping

Constraints mapping combines the assessment techniques used in Biodiversity Survey, Vegetation Mapping, and Visual Assessment to provide a clear picture of major site constraints ‘at a glance’.

Such combined constraints mapping may also incorporate the findings of a multi-disciplinary team, such as cultural heritage mapping, bushfire risk, hydraulic engineering constraints, and geotechnical results in relation to slope, soil stability and general soil condition.

Once all of these constraints are clearly mapped, the next step is usually assisting the development team in refining a development layout via Concept Development and Masterplanning Advice or via our Urban Design service. More detailed landscape management issues such as land tenure and operational management can be further refined through the Environment Management and Recreation and Open Space Planning processes.

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recreation and open space planning

Recreation and Open Space Planning is a tool for managing a site’s proposed public and private landscape resources.

Yurrah is experienced in providing detailed Public Open Space Planning advice in accordance with the Guidelines released by Local Government Authorities in South-east Queensland, including the detailed requirements of Gold Coast City Council in preparing Open Space Management Statements and Open Space Management Plans.

Yurrah can also prepare Private Open Space Management Statements to address visual, landscape and ecological issues within private open space and assist in the formulation of a Covenant Area Management Plan (CAMP) or Community Management Statement (CMS) for the management of freehold allotments or private community title resources.

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concept development & masterplanning advice

Concept Development and Masterplanning Advice draws upon all of the information gained during the site investigation process and uses site-based Constraints Mapping, coupled with detailed preliminary advice, to assist the Urban Design process and inform the plan of layout.

This process is usually undertaken in place of our Urban Design service and assumes that the client has engaged a qualified site planning professional to drive layout design.

Concept Development / Masterplanning Advice is also best undertaken / offered in conjunction with our Open Space Planning advice in order to address significant site planning issues and resolve landscape structure, connectivity, function, tenure and management.

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expert witness

Expert Witness services can be provided by Yurrah in the specialist areas of Ecology, Open Space Planning and Visual Amenity.

Yurrah has previously assisted in a number of Planning and Environment Court appeals and has been instrumental in refining site-specific building, design and open space guidelines for development sites ranging from steep slopes and bushfire prone areas, to floodplains and coastal developments.

In providing expert advice to the Court, Yurrah draws upon the same professional skills required for Biodiversity Survey, Vegetation Mapping, Visual Assessment, Constraints Mapping, Recreation and Open Space Planning, Landscape Architecture and Urban Design.

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landscape architecture

Landscape Architecture encompasses a broad range of services, but initially draws upon the Constraints Mapping process to develop the Landscape Concept or Preliminary Rehabilitation Management Plan for the site and ensure that any drawings or reports produced clearly articulate what is required by the client, what is able to be achieved on the site, and what design outcomes are likely to be arrived at.

Once the landscape concept or rehabilitation management plan has been established, the design can be developed into a Detailed Landscape Plan or Detailed Rehabilitation and Habitat Restoration Plan for Council Approval or Private Certification, Tender and Construction.

Yurrah also offers Contract Administration services to assist in translating the ideas from two-dimensional plans to the subject site.

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urban design

Urban Design is concerned with the arrangement, appearance and function of urban areas. As with Concept Development and Masterplanning Advice, Urban Design draws upon the information obtained during site investigations and utilises site-based Constraints Mapping to inform the plans of layout.

Yurrah has extensive experience in Urban Design at the Public Open Space Planning level and has also provided integrated landscape and urban design solutions for adjacent incompatible uses under the Concept Development and Masterplanning Advice process.

Yurrah has provided urban design advice on residential developments throughout Brisbane and the Gold and Sunshine Coasts.

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environment management

Environment Management is principally concerned with the management of development impacts on the environment, or more precisely, managing the impact of development in such a way that the existing environmental resources on site can be sustained.

Yurrah is experienced in drafting Environment Management Plans (EMPs) and Site-based Management Plans (SBMPs) for a broad range of sites, including golf courses and coastal residential Developments. An EMP / SBMP is typically required where specifically requested by the Local Authority or where the proposed development is in close proximity to a Locally Significant Feature, State Government Resource or Federal Land.

The EMP / SBMP may also supplement a site maintenance procedure (in the case of a golf course or other private recreation facility) or a Community Management Statement (in the case of a community title residential development).

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