Projects succeed when environmental risks are understood early. That early insight protects ecosystems, saves time and money, and helps teams deliver with confidence.
Starting with the landscape
Each project can bring its own environmental complexity. Some sites contain sensitive habitats, others hide underground waterways or fragile soils, and many require careful planning simply to establish safe access. Rather than seeing these as obstacles, UGL treats them as the foundation for how the project should unfold.
Early in planning, our environmental teams use UGL's risk profiling tool and environmental planning procedure to identify risks and opportunities. On the Snowy 2.0 Transmission Connection Project (STCP) in New South Wales, early environmental assessments identified the presence of Phytophthora, a plant disease already established in the local area that spreads through soil and water. This informed UGL’s approach to managing the risk by preventing its spread or exacerbation during construction, alongside controls for erosion on access tracks, construction water requirements and protection of sensitive habitats such as the Booroolong frog. Understanding these factors early allowed controls to be built into the design, leading to smoother approvals and fewer changes during construction.
Building environmental considerations into design
UGL strengthens early planning through its Environmental Management System (EMS), supported by a structured review process. This guides each project from pre‑contract through to delivery and completion, ensuring environmental requirements are addressed at every key decision point.
In Tasmania, at the TasWater Capital Development Office (CDO), these assessments feed into approvals, work packs and an auditing system, keeping UGL' and CPB Contractors' delivery of TasWater's capital works program aligned with client, state and federal expectations before construction begins at each site.
Consistency is essential across multi-site programs, and UGL’s environmental management framework provides this structure. At TasWater’s CDO, the EMS is integrated into the client’s system, supporting 11 active sites with shared standards and smoother mobilisation.
Using technology to improve accuracy and safety
Technology is helping teams plan environmental work with greater speed, accuracy and safety.
When assessing a potential masked owl habitat in difficult terrain in Ridgely, our TasWater teams used drones to collect ecological data quickly while avoiding hazardous ground conditions.
Smart tools also help identify opportunities for improvement. Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping - a digital tool that analyses spatial and environmental data - enabled TasWater to reuse 6,000 tonnes of soil. At Maragle on the Snowy 2.0 STCP, GIS supports boundary mapping, incident reporting and erosion control planning, giving teams clearer visibility and stronger decision-making on the ground.
Simon Chopping, UGL Environment and Sustainability Manager explains:
“Early insight is powerful. When data, technology and skilled people come together at the start of a project, we can design solutions that protect ecosystems and support safe, delivery on the ground.”
Strong teams, strong environmental outcomes
As environmental expectations continue to rise across Australia, UGL is investing in its people, systems and technology to stay ahead. This focus supports consistent, high-quality environmental performance and ensures UGL turns risk management into better outcomes for communities and the environments where projects are delivered.