By John Sharples

Up until the mid 1990's many impact assessments were conducted in a superficial manner. Today assessments are far more comprehensive and follow a legislated process which can become expensive not only in terms of money but also in terms of time. Time delays often result when unforeseen or hidden impacts are discovered part of the way through the process. Developers are realizing the need to employ experienced environmental consultants who are able to assess the proposal and identify problem areas before they cause unnecessary delays. By identifying these potential problems at an early stage, environmentally acceptable solutions can often be found.

In general the complexity of the proposed activity dictates the eventual cost and the time the process will take. The cost can be reduced by ensuring that only that part of the process which is required by the authorities is completed. It is therefore important for the consultant to have a good working relationship with the authorities. A competent consultant will have a good idea of the negative and positive impacts a specific development may have on the environment. Time and money can therefore be saved in the early stages of a development by ensuring that the development is in line with what will be acceptable in terms of impacts on the environment. This is where a local consultant may have an advantage over an out-of-town consultant.

The culmination of the assessment process usually leads to the production of an environmental management plan. It is often required that an environmental consultant sometimes referred to as an "Environmental Control Officer" (ECO) is employed in order to ensure the conditions of the management plan are adhered to. This is another area where time and money can be saved. By employing an ECO who can identify potential problems well ahead of time, solutions can be found before they become big enough to stall or stop the project. Here the relationship between the ECO, contractors and interest groups is important.

The ECO is there to ensure that the management plan and conditions of approval are adhered to and that all contractors are familiar with the environmental specifications of the project. The ECO must be approved by the appropriate environmental authority but it is up to the applicant to ensure that the ECO is capable and has the required knowledge regarding the relevant legislation.