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Capabilities
& Services

Ecotone have over 20 professionals and supporting staff employed from a diverse range of backgrounds and tertiary ecological qualifications, founding a balanced, structured knowledge and experience base you can rely on.

Ecological Expertise, Tailored to Your Project

Our team consists of early career ecologists and field technicians to experienced, senior level ecological professionals, allowing us to position the right balance of people for every job, enabling a cost effective, scientifically robust outcome for each project.

We have the resources and proven logistical capabilities to lead safe and efficient field studies in the remoteness of our region.

The diverse experience base of our personnel is focused predominantly on the field of terrestrial ecology, however we also have experience in land rehabilitation processes, and freshwater and marine ecology.

We have strong collaborative relationships with a number of other consulting firms of various specialisations, allowing us to leverage greater project capacities if and when required, while relying on our regional experience and practical capacity to keep projects safe and productive and enabling a single point of contact for project management.

In addition to field studies, Ecotone offers comprehensive project management, field study design, GIS mapping capabilities, literature reviews and desktop assessments, development of management plans for threatened species and habitat, and data management, analysis and custodianship, amongst an array of other services.

  • Terrestrial Ecology
    • Compliance Flora and Fauna Surveys
    • Baseline Flora and Fauna Biodiversity Surveys
    • Targeted Threatened Species Surveys and Monitoring Programs
    • Project Development Studies (including for projects being assessed at EIS level)
    • Vegetation Assessments
  • Fauna Spotter Catcher Services
  • Rehabilitation Monitoring
  • Consultant Advice and Development of Management Plans
    for local Threatened Species
  • GIS Mapping Capabilities
  • Technical Reporting
  • Literature Reviews and Desktop Assessments
  • Fauna Management
    • Microbat evictions
    • Nest relocation
    • Snake relocation
Safety & Logistics

Safety and logistics are Ecotone’s biggest competitive advantages.

Rigorous safety procedures are employed for each and every field day and are tailored to meet client requirements. These include detailed Communications & Emergency Response Plans, pre-start checklists and safety briefings, vehicle inspections and routine GPS tracking and messaging protocols.

Our field teams are equipped with reliable vehicles, modern safety communication devices, first aid equipment and the training necessary to conduct remote field work and come home safely. All work is undertaken following rigorous Standard Operating Procedures and internal guidelines.

Ecotone have a fleet of Toyota Landcruiser 4WD vehicles, fully equipped with off-road modifications required for the demanding terrain in and around remote Cape York.

Modifications include vehicle lifts, bull bars, winches, side rails, UHF, 12-volt dual battery systems, and full recovery gear, amongst other items.

Additionally, our fleet also includes mine-equipped Toyota Hilux 4WD vehicles, and an Isuzu MUx for less-rugged jobs.  Each vehicle is fully compliant with local mine specifications.

Ecotone also own two Polaris diesel all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and trailers for work in areas with regular vehicle access limitations, and a custom-built 5 m aluminium plate boat (in 2C survey) for aquatic survey work.

The range of vehicles provide flexibility for job requirements, including single and dual cab utes with both open trays and hard canopies, enabling the selection of ‘the right vehicle for the right job’.

Extended remote stays can be accommodated, with a full set up of camping gear, power generation (solar and generator) and most importantly, the experience to make this happen safely, as required.

  • Mine-spec & Versatile Vehicle Fleet options
  • A fleet of Reconyx remote-sensing cameras
  • Fauna trapping and handling equipment
    • Elliott, cage, funnel, pitfall and bird traps, mist-net set-ups, snake catching and handling equipment, including for sea snakes
  • Acoustic recorders (bat and frog)
  • Chainsaws and Vehicle Recovery Gear
  • Communication, safety and navigation devices
    • UHF radios, satellite phones, GPS units with satellite 2-way messaging capability
  • Camping equipment
  • Diesel ATV + Trailer
  • 5 m aluminium plate boat
Permits, Ethics, Insurance & Stakeholders

Ecotone possess the necessary wildlife authorities and ethics approvals required to study and interact with protected animals under the Nature Conservation Act.

Our approvals include research permits for fauna surveys, permits to perform Fauna Spotter Catcher activities, permits to interfere with problem wildlife (e.g. to relocate snakes) and to remove or interfere with certain fauna breeding places, as well as permits to collect samples/DNA in certain circumstances.

We have the ability to apply for additional permitting or ethics approvals if necessary.

Ecotone are appropriately insured for Professional Indemnity, Public Liability, Vehicles and Equipment.

  • Registered as a Scientific User – Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
  • Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Queensland Animal Ethics Committee approval
  • Scientific Purposes Permit under the Queensland Nature Conservation (Animals) Regulation 2020
  • Damage Mitigation Permit (Removal and Relocation of Protected Animals) under the Queensland Nature Conservation (Animals) Regulation 2020
  • Rehabilitation Permit (Spotter Catcher Activity) under the Queensland Nature Conservation (Animals) Regulation 2020
For the community

As a gesture of community good will, Ecotone offer our services voluntarily to members of the community and not-for-profit organisations (e.g. schools) in various situations.

We are passionate about educating people on the local wildlife and environment and promoting responsible interaction with wildlife.  We have capable, qualified and dedicated staff who can assist with answering fauna questions and providing advice, identifying and relocating snakes, presenting information to classes, or managing pest fauna species.