Business Details
30 Years
experience
Expert Environmental Consultancy Services in Brisbane
Established in 1996, AARC Environmental Solutions has grown into one of Australia's leading independent environmental consultancies. Our expertise spans the resource industry, planning and development sectors, and agribusiness, with a proven track record of delivering environmental solutions across Australia and throughout Asia. Our multidisciplinary team combines deep technical knowledge with regulatory expertise, offering services from project planning through approvals, operations, and closure. With offices in Brisbane and Cairns, we prioritise client collaboration to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements while exceeding project expectations. Our staff's extensive industry experience, including roles in government and corporate environmental management, underpins our ability to provide creative, science-driven solutions.We maintain a strong focus on continuous professional development, ensuring our team remains at the forefront of environmental best practices. Client testimonials consistently highlight our reliability, technical proficiency, and commitment to delivering cost-effective outcomes. Our reputation is built on decades of successful project delivery, including complex environmental impact assessments, rehabilitation programs, and regulatory compliance strategies. We serve both large-scale resource companies and smaller development projects, adapting our approach to meet specific client needs. Our technical capabilities are supported by advanced monitoring technologies and a rigorous commitment to data-driven decision-making.
Services
Planning
Approvals
Operational
Closure
Ecological
Land
Noise
Vibration
Details
- Year established: 1996
Highlights and features
- Over 25 years of environmental consultancy experience
- Multidisciplinary team with regulatory and industry expertise
- Tailored solutions for resource and agribusiness sectors
- Proven track record in Australia and Asia
- Comprehensive services from planning to closure
What people say
High standard
Professional advice
Great results
Timely manner
Cost savings
Services
Environmental Planning
Our environmental planning services help clients navigate complex regulatory requirements during project development phases. We conduct preliminary constraints analysis, feasibility studies, and risk assessments to identify potential environmental challenges early in the project lifecycle. Our team provides strategic advice on mitigation strategies and compliance pathways, ensuring projects are designed with environmental considerations integrated from the outset. This proactive approach helps clients avoid costly delays and regulatory non-compliance issues.
Regulatory Approvals
We specialise in securing environmental approvals for complex development projects through comprehensive impact assessments and stakeholder engagement strategies. Our services include preparing environmental impact statements, conducting baseline studies, and managing submissions to regulatory bodies. With deep understanding of both state and federal requirements, we guide clients through the approval process for mining, infrastructure, and industrial projects, ensuring compliance while maintaining project timelines and budgets.
Operational Compliance
Our operational compliance services support ongoing environmental management for active projects and facilities. We provide monitoring programs, audit services, and environmental management system implementation to ensure continued regulatory adherence. Our team assists with incident response, reporting obligations, and stakeholder liaison, helping clients maintain compliance throughout their project's operational lifecycle while minimising environmental risks.
Mine Closure Planning
We develop comprehensive mine closure plans that address progressive rehabilitation and final site relinquishment requirements. Our services include soil and vegetation assessment, rehabilitation monitoring programs, and cost estimation for closure planning. By integrating early-stage design with long-term environmental outcomes, we help clients achieve successful land rehabilitation that meets regulatory standards and supports post-mining land use objectives.
Ecological Assessment
Our ecological services include baseline assessments, threatened species management, and biodiversity monitoring programs. With in-house specialists in botany, zoology, and natural resource management, we conduct terrestrial and aquatic studies to assess environmental values and develop mitigation strategies. Our team holds necessary permits for fauna surveys and provides science-based recommendations for environmental offsets and habitat conservation.
People
Gareth Bramston
Director / Principal
Environmental professional with 17+ years' experience in mining and development approvals. Specialises in strategic environmental advice and government liaison. Holds Bachelor of Science (Honours) from University of Southern Queensland. International experience in Thailand, Bangladesh, and Vanuatu.
Rod Hailstone
Director / Principal
24-year environmental science veteran with legal qualifications. Former environmental regulator and industry leader. Expert in state and federal approvals processes. Combines technical knowledge with regulatory process understanding gained through roles in NSW government and mining companies.
Stuart Ritchie
Director / Principal
Environmental engineer with 35+ years' experience. Former corporate environmental manager at Rio Tinto and Cement Australia. Specialises in rehabilitation, sustainability strategies, and regulatory compliance. Holds Masters of Environmental Management and extensive industry-regulator relationship expertise.
Hayden Leary
Director / Chief Operating Officer
Natural resources engineer with 20+ years' approvals and operations expertise. Proven leader in mining industry joint ventures. Specialises in risk management, operational optimisation, and strategic direction. Former Queensland Resources Council committee chair with deep understanding of minerals industry sustainability.
Tyson Smalley
Principal Environmental Consultant
Environmental scientist with 25+ years' experience in mine rehabilitation and approvals. Expert in indigenous community engagement and catchment management. Holds Bachelor (Hons) in Applied Environmental Science. Combines project management discipline with stakeholder engagement expertise for complex environmental solutions.
Questions
What environmental services does AARC offer?
We provide comprehensive environmental services including planning, approvals, operational compliance, mine closure, ecological assessment, land management, and noise/vibration monitoring for resource industries and development projects.
Which industries does AARC specialise in?
We specialise in serving the resource industry, planning and development sectors, and agribusiness, with extensive experience in mining, infrastructure, and agricultural projects across Australia and Asia.
How does AARC handle regulatory approvals?
Our team manages environmental impact assessments, prepares submissions for state and federal approvals, and facilitates stakeholder consultation to secure necessary permits while maintaining project timelines and compliance standards.
What experience does AARC have in mine closure?
We develop progressive rehabilitation plans and final closure strategies, combining soil science and ecological expertise to ensure successful land rehabilitation that meets regulatory requirements and post-mining land use objectives.
Can AARC assist with international projects?
Yes, we have extensive experience delivering environmental solutions across Asia, including projects in Thailand, Bangladesh, and Vanuatu, supported by our understanding of diverse regulatory frameworks and environmental conditions.
How does AARC ensure environmental compliance?
We implement monitoring programs, conduct audits, and develop environmental management systems tailored to specific project needs, ensuring ongoing compliance with regulatory requirements throughout all project phases.