What OzArk Environment & Heritage Does

OzArk Environment & Heritage is a specialist environmental and cultural heritage consultancy operating from Dubbo since 2000. The firm provides archaeological and ecological services across New South Wales and interstate jurisdictions. Dr Jodie Benton leads the practice as founding director and principal consulting archaeologist with over thirty years experience in heritage assessment and environmental impact studies.

Heritage Assessment Services

The practice prepares Aboriginal and historic heritage assessments under the NSW Environmental Planning & Assessment Act 1979 and Commonwealth Environment Protection & Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Heritage services include cultural site identification, impact mitigation strategies, and heritage management planning for developments ranging from residential subdivisions to State Significant Projects. The firm works within complex regulatory pathways including Commonwealth telecommunications projects assessed under the Telecommunications Act 1997.

Ecological Assessment Services

OzArk carries out terrestrial ecology assessments with particular focus on biodiversity conservation under the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. The team includes botanists, zoologists, and environmental scientists who conduct field surveys and prepare biodiversity development assessment reports. Services encompass:

• Biodiversity Assessment Method accredited ecological surveys
• Review of Environmental Factors preparation
• Environmental management plan development

Experience and Qualifications

The firm holds Biodiversity Assessment Methodology accreditation enabling compliance with NSW biodiversity offset requirements. Dr Benton brings academic credentials from the University of Sydney alongside international archaeological project management experience. The practice has completed projects across major NSW regional centres including Newcastle, Wagga Wagga, Bathurst, Tamworth, and Singleton, demonstrating extensive knowledge of local environmental and cultural contexts.

Service Areas

OzArk Environment & Heritage serves clients throughout New South Wales with particular strength in central and western regions. The firm operates from Dubbo providing services to surrounding Local Government Areas. Interstate project capability extends the firm's reach beyond NSW boundaries for suitable heritage and ecological assessment requirements.