Verterra Projects
Discover our on-ground expertise in project design and delivery.
Managing Environmental Risk and Long-Term Site Performance
The former Collinsville Power Station estate presented a combination of immediate environmental risks and longer-term closure and property management requirements. Key issues included moderate to severe erosion across the capped ash mound, declaired weed infestations, and the ongoing management of the broader estate.
Verterra was engaged to develop a practical, evidence-based response to risks and support regulatory approval for ash dam closure, which evolved into a broader estate monitoring and management role.
Establishing an Evidence-based Pathway to Regulatory Approved Closure of an Ash Dam
The closure of Collinsville ash dam required a practical and cost-effective approach capable of satisfying regulatory requirements, while limiting long-term environmental liabilities and supporting future land-use.
Environmental monitoring alone could not provide sufficient confidence that the ash dam would remain stable, or that heavy metals within the ash would not adversely affect groundwater and vegetation.
Verterra developed a risk-based closure approach supported by quantitative analysis, targeted monitoring and adaptive management, utlimately achieving what is believed to be Queensland’s first regulatory approval for the closure of an ash dam.
Monitoring Vegetation Respose to Subsidence-related Inundation
Environmental Authority conditions at this mine limit the impact of mining activities on remnant vegetation within the lease, however, subsidence above longwall mining operations had created local drainage depressions.
This had resulted in seasonal inundation and vegetation mortality and affected areas included mapped Category A or B vegetation and contained an endangered Regional Ecosystem.
Verterra was engaged to develop a rolling ecological monitoring program to establish baseline vegetation condition, assess the effects of inundation and provide evidence for future management decisions.
Evaluating Pit Rock as an Alternative Rehabilitation Material
Rock mulching can help protect mine rehabilitation surfaces from erosion, but sourcing suitable quarry rock can add significant cost through additional drilling, blasting and haulage.
In 2017, this client established a 10,000 bank cubic metre trial to investigate whether rock extracted during mining could provide a practical alternative.
For pit rock to perform effectively in rehabilitation, it must remain sufficiently competent when exposed to weathering, resisting breakdown and erosion, and avoid releasing salts or other materials that could constrain vegetation establishment.
Verterra was engaged to assess the trial and determine whether the material could be a viable alternative to quarry rock.
Enabling Low-Impact Pumped Hydro with Soil and Erosion Insights
Pumped hydro energy storage is gaining momentum as a critical component of Australia’s renewable energy transition. While environmentally beneficial in operation, their development requires significant infrastructure—such as roads, pipelines, and reservoirs—that can impact soil health, increase erosion risk, and reduce land suitability for agriculture. This case study demonstrates how Verterra approaches risk assessment for these projects.
Minimising Soil Risk in Wind Farm Design
As wind energy projects increasingly seek locations that reduce public resistance to visual and noise impacts, forested areas have emerged as preferred sites for development. However, constructing access roads and transmission corridors through these landscapes introduces potential risks to land condition, erosion rates, and future land use, particularly for forestry and agriculture. This case study looks at how these risks can be assessed and managed effectively.
Yandina Creek Wetlands - Monitoring and Revegation
Engaged by Unitywater to monitor vegetation and water quality, remove tidal gates, undertake tidal monitoring, UAV footage and BioCondition monitoring for the Yandina Creek Wetlands for a three-year period.
Grosvenor Subsidence Impact Assessment
Verterra has specific expertise and prior experience in detailed spatial and quantitative impact assessment and analysis of the effect of subsidence. This project, carried out for Anglo American’s Grosvenor Coal Mine, assessed the impact of subsidence on native vegetation.
North and North-West Queensland Cotton Production Area Suitability Evaluation
For over 20 years various cotton growing trials have been undertaken in the Far North and North West of Queensland. Multiple proponents have contemplated the development of a cotton gin to increase the production efficiency of cotton cropping in the region.