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Environmental Approvals and Planning

Securing environmental and planning approvals demands clear strategy and technical rigour. CDM Smith delivers integrated approvals and planning services—from feasibility through compliance—reducing risk and improving schedule certainty.

Streamlined Approvals & Planning Solutions for Project Success

Our focus is delivering streamlined approvals and planning solutions—combining technical expertise, regulatory insight, and collaborative strategies to achieve project success.

Integrated Approval & Compliance Services

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Environmental Impact Assessment 

We work without clients to make your project, and its activities meet or exceed regulatory requirements, minimizing negative environmental impacts and promoting long-term sustainability and social licenses to operate.

Constraints Mapping and Strategic Planning 

We prepare an approval strategy, including a detailed schedule, gap analysis, fatal flaw review, and recommend studies to provide project direction and schedule transparency. 

Regulatory compliance and Management 

Management, monitoring, and offsets are integral components of project approval and compliance. We have staff experience in all aspects including site monitoring, management plan preparation, and annual compliance reporting. 

 

Asset Closure 

CDM Smith has comprehensive experience in closure planning for various mining types and landscapes covering open pits, underground mines, waste landforms, processing plants, tailings storage facilities and associated infrastructure assets for sites in Australia and overseas. 

 

Expert Management of Approvals, Planning, and Compliance

We have considerable experience managing all necessary aspects of the approvals and planning process. From project inception and approvals planning, through to submission of environmental approval documentation and planning applications, negotiation with regulators, and finally, to implementation and compliance with regulatory conditions.

Our nationwide team can manage technical studies, use the data to assess the significance of environmental impacts, identify ways to minimize and mitigate those impacts, and obtain necessary approvals and offsets to proceed with the project.

Our national team includes scientists and planners providing:

Development assessment and consent applications
A broad range of strategic and social planning projects
Environmental approvals environmental impact assessment
Management plans, compliance and auditing
Contaminated land assessments, monitoring and certified auditing
Data analysts providing new and efficient ways of collecting and utilizing data
Groundwater Modelling and Groundwater Dependent Ecosystem Studies

Meet our Experts

Connect with an expert to find out how we will deliver your project.

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Paul Davey

Principal Environmental Scientist

Paul Davey is Director and Northern Regional Lead with 20+ years delivering water, groundwater, and PFAS solutions for government and industry.

Julia Curran

Associate Environmental Scientist

Julia Curran has 18 years of experience in environmental impact assessment, approvals, management, strategic advice, project management and contractor management

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Juliano Miranda

Senior Environmental Scientist

Juliano Miranda is a Senior Environmental Scientist specializing in groundwater, field sampling, and environmental approvals for government and industry.

Curious to explore related projects?

Selected projects illustrating our technical and delivery experience.

View More Projects

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Confidential Location

Agnew Gold Mining Company Pty Ltd – Mine Closure Plan Update

CDM Smith prepared the 2024 Mine Closure Plan for Agnew Gold Mining Company, aligning with WA guidelines through risk assessment, workshops and stakeholder engagement.

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Open-pit gold mine with layered earth and vibrant sunset sky.

Confidential Location

Fimiston Gold Mine Section 38 Approvals

CDM Smith supported KCGM in securing Section 38 environmental approvals for the Fimiston Gold Mine Expansion through peer review, updated management plans and strategic advisory services.

View Project

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Confidential Location

Worsley Alumina Mine Expansion - South32 Worsley Alumina Pty Ltd 2021 – 2024

Approvals, assessments and advisory support for South32’s Worsley Alumina Mine Expansion, including ERD preparation and responses to 600+ submissions.

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Related Practices

Supporting practices that enhance project outcomes across the lifecycle.

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Digital

Turn your data into actionable insights. Our experts design smart frameworks and interactive tools to help you make better, informed decisions.

Water

CDM Smith Australia’s Water Discipline delivers integrated solutions for managing water resources sustainably and efficiently.

Environment and Technology

Integrated environmental solutions that help clients manage risk, meet regulatory requirements, and achieve sustainable business outcomes.

Environmental Approvals and Planning

Integrated environmental approvals and planning services supporting government, private and community projects across Australia.

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Ready to Take the Next Steps?

We love collaborating with passionate individuals and organizations. If you're interested in joining our team, check our careers page for open positions or internships.