Wildlife and vegetation serve an important role within our ecosystem, however through a range of direct and indirect human interactions many have become threatened. At the heart of Ecosure’s ethos is the maintenance and welfare of the earth and it’s inhabitants.
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Our Services
Fauna Survey Programs
Ecosure’s survey programs are prefaced by historical data and literature reviews to determine the most effective survey design. Good experimental design underpins all quality ecological management and monitoring programs. We adopt rigorous statistical methods in survey design and analysis to answer specific research questions and minimise costs to the client.
A range of sampling and trapping methods are employed to ascertain species presence and abundance to capture data on threatened fauna species. We use Elliott and cage trapping, pitfall trapping, direct observation, call playback, acoustic monitoring, harp trapping, arboreal trapping, aerial surveying, scat identification & analysis, track/scratch identification and hair-funnel trapping.
Flora Surveys
Ecosure conducts surveys targeting flora species and vegetation communities of legislative significance. These surveys can be used to produce standalone flora reports or the data can be used to develop ecological assessments reports which also consider other ecological aspects such as fauna values and aquatic values. Ecosure staff are trained in the application of Qld’s Regional Ecosystem Mapping and are experienced in the application of the threatened ecological community criteria under NSW’s Threatened Species conservation Act 1995.
Koala Management Plans
Linked to statutory and policy requirements of the Integrated Planning Act1997 and the Nature Conservation Act 1992, the conservation framework for Koala management in Queensland, the Nature Conservation (Koala) Management Program 2006-2016 requires the development of Koala Management Plans. The principal objective of such plans are to assist the survival of Koalas in southeast Queensland by the protection and conservation of identified koala habitat, and the adoption of conservation actions that aims to reduce the conflict between koalas and urban development. Ecosure can assist with all elements of developing and implementing Koala Management Plans, from field surveys and data assessment, right through the high level reporting and management plan development.
Targeted Species Research & Monitoring
We implement targeted programs to monitor the movement, behaviour, habitat use, physiological and pathological status of critical species. These programs generate detailed relevant information which is the basis for successful management.
Wildlife Disease Ecology
Ecosure can be involved in investigations into wildlife diseases in a range of capacities. Our staff can conduct wildlife health assessment and disease transmission risk assessment in the context of habitat and land use. We can also assess how nutritional and reproductive requirements relate to rates of mortality, morbidity and fecundity in a population.
Wildlife Tracking
Ecosure has experience in deploying both radio- and satellite-telemetry to track a range of wildlife including birds and flying-foxes. Our staff are proficient in mapping movements of tracked animals, deriving home ranges, and habitat usage profiles. We have considerable experience in fitting wildlife telemetry devices and in training people in efficient telemetry techniques.
Technical Equipment Advice
Ecosure understands that technological advances frequently revolutionize the way we work. Our staff keep up-to-date with developments in the operation of the best equipment and its suppliers worldwide. We can provide technical advice and training for appropriate deployment of the latest equipment.
Our Projects
Prioritisation of High Conservation Status of Offshore Islands, Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA)
DEWHA contracted Ecosure to conduct a detailed independent analysis of the conservation values (e.g. level of biodiversity) of Australia’s offshore islands in order to develop a priority listing of the 100 highest rated islands which a) may be adversely be impacted by vertebrate invasive species; or b) are at high risk of incursions from vertebrate invasive species. We compiled a report on the results of this assessment and provided recommendations to help inform future Australian Government investment in the protection of Australia’s island biodiversity and vertebrate invasive species management on individual islands.
Koala Management Plan & Significant Tree Survey, Private Landowner, Cornubia
Ecosure Pty Ltd were engaged to develop a Koala Management Plan for a parcel of land on Carbrook Road, Cornubia. The primary objective of this management plan was to ensure that the development application for the property in question was in compliance with the criteria and applicable solutions of the Nature Conservation (Koala) Conservation Plan 2006 and Management Program 2006-2016 (QLD). In conjunction with the koala survey carried out, information was gathered on the location of significant vegetation present on site.
Building community capacity to achieve conservation outcomes for priority bat species in the Polynesia-Micronesia Hotspot: A pilot study on Samoa. Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund
This project is a pilot study to examine current flying fox and microbat populations , including threatened species, on Samoa as a starting point to developing a model protocol for community capacity-building to survey and monitor Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund priority bat species across the Polynesia-Micronesia Hotspot over several years. As part of this project, Ecosure has conducted intensive field surveys to locate and survey bat populations on Samoa.
Saltmarsh Restoration Plan and Translcoation, Gold Coast Airport Pty Ltd
Ecosure developed a Saltmarsh Restoration Plan as part of the Gold Coast Airport Runway Extension (GCARE) project. Saltmarsh is an Endangered Ecological community listed under the New South Wales Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995. Ecosure then implemented the translocation of this Endangered Ecological Community to a suitable nearby site. This community has successfully re-established in its new location.
Significant Terrestrial Fauna Monitoring Program, Gold Coast Airport Pty Ltd
Ecosure has been monitoring populations of legislatively significant frogs, mammals and birds on Gold Coast Airport since 2006. The monitoring involves a number of different survey techniques including call playback (frogs and cryptic birds), pitfall trapping (planigales), observational surveys and habitat assessments.
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Our Staff
Dr Jeff McKee. BSc (Vet) (Homs), BVSc,CPL. Principal Research Scientist.
Jeff has an eclectic and diverse background. After graduating science (genetics) with first class honours and then veterinary science in the early 80s he spent several years in mixed clinical practice before moving on to managing a clinical cytogenetics laboratory. The late 80s found him engaged in a broad scale disease eradication program (Brucellosis and Tuberculosis Eradication Campaign) in northern Australia and then on to more academic areas gaining experience in molecular biology and immunology. During this period Jeff worked in both the university and corporate R&D sectors in Australia and abroad. After returning to Australia in 1994 Jeff consolidated and directed his experience into wildlife conservation and disease ecology and has been engaged in that area ever since.
Julie Whelan. BSc (Hons) Conservation Biology. Principal Environmental Scientist.
Julie is Team Leader of the Ecosure’s Environmental Consulting Team. She is experienced in the planning and conduct of field based flora and fauna surveys in a variety of locations and the preparation of ecological assessment reports and management plans. Relevant experience also includes consultation with relevant stakeholders, developing recommendations and management actions, preparing reports for submission under various planning schemes and reviewing and collating relevant literature and data. Julie is knowledgeable in the application of relevant Local, State and Commonwealth government regulations having a biodiversity conservation focus. Julie has also successfully completed a training program in Qld Regional Ecosystem Mapping.
Carla McKevitt. BSc (Hons). Ecologist and Vegetation Team Leader.
BSc (Hons) Carla has a strong botanical background and currently performs the majority of Ecosure’s vegetation surveys and assessments including photo monitoring. Carla has completed a course in Regional Ecosystem Mapping of Queensland’s Bioregional Ecosystems. Carla was the project manager and primary surveyor for the ‘aerial mapping of riparian weeds within the Nerang River Catchment’ project for Gold Coast City Council. Over 150hrs of field work were carried out for this project, surveying from the air. A considerable amount of time was also spent ground-truthing. Carla was also part of the field team that performed the vegetation assessments for Saltwater Park Environmental Assessment and Helensvale Road Environmental Impact Report.
Phil Shaw. BSc (Ecology), Dip Ed. Director.
Phil has over 20 years consulting experience. He is internationally recognised in his specialist field of aviation ornithology. Phil also has a strong ecological background having completed projects as diverse as flora and fauna surveys, environmental management plans and EMS reviews. Phil is involved in national and international committees; stakeholder consultation is a strength. Having written and reviewed hundreds of reports in his career, he frequently uses this experience to value add and quality assure projects and the reports that result from them. In his position as Director, Phil has a hand in each and every project undertaken by Ecosure.
Our Research
Selected Publications and Presentations bu ecosure staff:
Booth R.J., Hartley, W.J. and McKee, J.J. An investigation of neurological diseases in wild rainbow lorikeets Trichoglossus haematodus Proc. AAVCB, WDA (Aust), WAWV and WSNZVA joint conference Sydney July 2001.
Booth R.J, McKee J.J, Pye G., Caton W., Dowsett. K., and Trigg T. Potential Immunocontraception Using GnRH Vaccine In Eastern Grey Kangaroos Macropus Giganteus: Preliminary Report. Proc AAVCB Conf., Brisbane, 1997 pp51-58.
Hanger J, Bromham L, McKee J, O’Brien T and Robinson W
The Nucleotide Sequence of Koala (Phascolarctos Cinereus) Retrovirus (KoRV): A Novel Type - C Endogenous Virus Related to Gibbon Ape Leukaemia Virus (GALV).
J.Virology 2000 74:4264-4272
Kavanagh R., Stanton M. and Brassil T 2007 Koalas continue to occupy their previous home-ranges after selective logging in Callitris–Eucalyptus forest. Wildlife Research, 2007, 34, 94–107
Radford S, McKee J, Timms P, Polkinghorne A, Devereaux L and Hanger J. Presence and prevalence of Chlamydia in the koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) in Pine Creek State Forest, North-eastern New South Wales. Proc Aust Mam Soc Conf. Sydney, July 2001
Radford SL, McKee J, Kavanagh R & Goldingay R Population Characteristics and Health of the Koalas, Phascolarctos cinereus, in Pine Creek State Forest, north eastern NSW. Proc Aust Mam Soc Conf. 2002
Radford SL, McKee J, Goldingay R & Kavanagh R Koala capture and assessment procedures employed within Pine Creek State Forest, north eastern NSW. Proc Aust Mam Soc Conf. 2003
Radford SL, McKee J, Goldingay R & Kavanagh R The Protocols For Koala Research Using Radio-Collars – Its Application And Implications. Aust Mamm in print.
Ecosure is also assisting with research which is being conducted by Griffith University (Gold Coast Campus) on the movement and habitat selection of Glossy Black Cockatoo, Calyptorhynchus lathami