Our Expertise includes:

• Farm business management
• Farm business benchmarking
• Farm cashbook and BAS statements
• Water development and irrigation planning
• Irrigation feasibility studies
• Water Access Plans
• Sustainable Farm Plans
• Property management planning
• Dairy effluent management
• Expert witness experience – related to agriculture and rural land use
• Facilitation and negotiation
• Greenhouse Gas audits for farm businesses
• Insurance claims
• Salinity risk assessment and management
• Soil assessment, mapping and management
• Acid sulfate soils assessment and management

 

 

• Development Applications additional assessment requirement
• Agricultural reports, for developments in Rural Zones
• Bushfire Risk Assessments
• Natural Values Assessments
• Freshwater Crayfish and Burrowing Crayfish assessments and fauna surveys
• Agricultural Land Studies
• Land Capability assessment and mapping
• Land use planning
• Dam assessments and water licence applications
• Forest practices planning and silviculture advice
• Effluent reuse scheme design and monitoring
• Environmental Management Plans
• Farm mapping
• Geographical Information Services (GIS)
• Rivercare and Catchment Management Planning

Acid Sulfate Soils

Acid Sulfate Soil (ASS) is a type of naturally occurring soil that has the potential to cause significant environmental harm if disturbed. These soils occur mainly in coastal areas however they can also be found inland. In their natural state they are harmless. However, if these soils are excavated or exposed in significant quantities or their hydrology is changed there is the potential for significant acidification of land and waterways.

Councils are starting to consider the risk of ASS in their assessment of Development Applications. AK Consultants has specialist expertise in the determination of ASS risks; we can undertake mapping, sampling and interpretation of laboratory results, prepare ASS management plans for developers and monitor the implementation of plans.

In some areas, bridges, pipes and parks (turf) have been affected by ASS. AK Consultants has the expertise to provide advice on the risk to council assets in areas with ASS.

Agricultural Land Studies – municipal, catchment and regional scale

AK Consultants have undertaken several large scale agricultural land studies including an Agricultural Profile for the eight Municipalities in the Northern Region as well as a Regional Summary for Northern Tasmania Development Board. AK Consultants (in conjunction with others) have also a developed a GIS model for determining land that is constrained for agricultural use. The outputs of the model assist in determining appropriate Zoning boundaries. AK Consultants have also developed industry specific models to determine suitability, for example a vineyard suitability model identifies land in the West Tamar Municipality that is suitable for vineyard development.

Agricultural Reports – for developments in Rural Zones

AK Consultants can provide Agricultural Reports that Councils require when considering some Development Applications, for example a residence in the Rural Zone. Agricultural Reports examine whether a proposed development will have an impact on agricultural use of the subject title and surrounding land and includes an analysis of fettering risks (i.e. risks that claims of nuisance may develop in the future), Land Capability, water resources and current and potential land use.

Benchmarking

Benchmarking is an analytical tool to assess financial performance. Its value cannot be underestimated in assisting farming businesses to be efficient, viable and profitable. AK consultants have developed a system that analyses whole farm performance. We use a number of key performance indicators which particularly assess the scale and efficiency of the business. The results of the analysis are clearly articulated and readily understood.

To conduct a farm business analysis, we will come to you on your farm. The initial farm visit will usually take around half a day and generally the only paperwork you need to supply is your tax return for the last 3 years. Once the analysis has been completed, we will return to provide you with a report on your business and work through the results with you. We can also advise on farm management options to achieve desired financial outcomes.

Bushfire Risk Assessment

AK consultants are accredited service providers for Bushfire Risk Assessments....Scott. These assessments are often a requirement for developments in the Rural Resource Zone and AKC can combine these with other assessment requirements such as Agricultural Reports and Natural Values Assessments.

Dairy Effluent Management

AK Consultants works in partnership with Badcock Irrigation Services to provide management plans and designs for dairy effluent. The consultants are accredited to provide dairy effluent plans by the National Centre for Dairy Education, and in recent years have developed effluent management plans for over 180 Tasmanian dairy farms. For new dairy premises the plans are prepared to meet Council Planning requirements.

Dam assessments and water licence applications

Preparation of Dam Assessment Reports, Water Allocation Assessment Reports and Dam Process Reports; some or all of these reports are required for irrigation dams depending on the size of the dam and whether an allocation is required to fill the dam. We often coordinate the preparation reports from other specialists (surveyors, hydrologists, engineers, Aboriginal and Cultural Heritage consultants, vegetation, flora and fauna specialists etc) that may be required for irrigation dams, with an approach based on assessment of potential fatal flaws and the most likely significant obstacles first. As well as being an efficient process, this approach minimises expenditure on dams that are unlikely to be approved by the Assessment Committee for Dam Construction (ACDC). We are approved consultants to assess habitats for Freshwater Crayfish and Burrowing Crayfish and conduct Natural Values Assessments and we are on the Department’s Environmental Consultants Register.

Development Applications additional assessment requirements

AK Consultants can provide Agricultural Reports, Bushfire Risk Assessments, Land Capability Assessments and Natural Values (flora, fauna and vegetation) Assessments for Development Applications. This one-stop-shop approach has the potential to provide significant savings to our clients and efficiencies in delivery. AK Consultants work closely with Municipal Planners to ensure their assessments meet the Planning Scheme requirements

Effluent Reuse Schemes design and monitoring

Municipal effluent can represent a source of water and nutrients that can be effectively used for irrigation of crops and fodders. There are specific requirements (DPIWE 2002, Environmental Guidelines for the Use of Recycled Water in Tasmania) for the use of these effluents, generally based on managing the risks of degradation of the soil, or contaminating surface or groundwater. AK Consultants have considerable experience on the assessment and monitoring of sites and the development of Irrigation Environmental Management Plans required for recycled water. We are accredited to deliver Irrigation Environmental Management Plans for the use of recycled water from the Clarence Reuse Scheme in the Coal valley.

Environmental Management Plans

AK Consultants can prepare a Environmental Management Plans for intensive livestock operations, Effluent Reuse Schemes and other activities.

Expert witness experience

AK Consultants can assist with expert witness reports and the collection of evidence in disputes involving agricultural and related matters. This includes attendance at hearings and mediation sessions and conducting special studies designed to address specific concerns. An example of this was the provision of evidence relating to soil damage caused by majour pipeline excavations and the on-going impacts on crop yields.

Facilitation and negotiation

AK Consultants can facilitate meetings and workshops for farmers and other organisations targeting the rural sector. David Armstrong and Astrid Ketelaar have undertaken mediation training with the Institute of Arbitrators and Mediators.

Farm business management

AK Consultants have specialist expertise and experience in all aspects of Farm Business Management. This includes planning and analytical advice and assessments such as:

• Cash flow budgeting and monitoring.
• Enterprise analysis and selection, Gross Margins, benchmarking.
• Feasibility studies, such as property purchase, irrigation and similar investments.
• Loan applications.
• Financial recording and farm secretarial services, with BAS preparation.
• Preparation of digital farm maps using GIS.
• Advice on leasing and share-farming arrangements.

Farm cashbook and BAS statements

AK Consultants offer farmers financial recording and farm secretarial services including BAS statement preparation and GST returns. We use Phoenix and MYOB. Contact Narelle for more details.

Farm mapping

AK Consultants have been producing digital paddock maps for farmers for many years using MapInfo GIS. We can also integrate aerial photography and other mapping data (including GPS data) that the client may have to provide mapping products to suit the client’s needs including paddock plans, irrigation concepts, vegetation maps, infrastructure and assets maps, etc.

Forestry

AK consultants have 30 years experience in forest management for both native forest and plantations. We offer management advice for both conservation and production outcomes in native forests along with land suitability assessment and growth modelling of plantations. Scott Livingston is an accredited Forest Practices Officer and can certify Forest Practices Plans. We also undertake natural and cultural values assessments and can issue Certificates of Compliance. Scott also provides specialist services in threatened fauna management and 3d modelling for landscape analysis.

Freshwater Crayfish and Burrowing Crayfish assessments and fauna surveys

AK Consultants in conjunction with Jim Nelson have 25 years experience surveying freshwater crayfish fauna in Tasmania. We are accredited to assess habitats for Giant Freshwater Lobsters (including capture and relocation) and Burrowing Crayfish.

GIS – Geographical Information Services

GIS is integral to most of the services AK Consultants provide. AK Consultants have the capacity to provide project support in mapping for other consultancy firms who wish to outsource the mapping component of their project. While Mapinfo is the preferred GIS platform, AK Consultants are also familiar with Arcview and ArcGIS.

Greenhouse Gas audits for farm businesses

There is increasing interest in the contribution of farm businesses to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with some farmers wanting information on the amount of GHG their farming activities are responsible for, and means to reduce or offset those emissions. Ruth Hall has completed a number of GHG audits for farms in the Tamar Valley for Tamar NRM, using several GHG calculators. We now have the skills to undertake GHG audits on farms with various enterprises elsewhere in the State.

Insurance claims

Our general agricultural expertise allows us to determine the value of losses associated with agricultural activities, for example losses resulting from fires or flooding.

Irrigation feasibility studies

AK Consultants can assist with preliminary planning and the development of an irrigation concept for a property, prior to engaging a specialist irrigation designer. Preliminary concepts consider land and soil suitability, hazards, water requirements and sources, salinity, equipment requirements and economics (costs and returns).

Land Capability assessment

AK Consultants have over 20 years experience in assessing Land Capability in Tasmania for developers, landholders and Councils.

We follow State Government guidelines, planning scheme requirements and our own methodology. Ask to see our protocol for more information on how we do it.

Each assessment is completed to a standard to be able to meet the requirements of a Planning Commission hearing or tribunal should the need arise.

Land use planning and State policy on the Protection of Agricultural Land 2009 (PAL Policy)

AK Consultants has experience in assisting Planners with understanding constraints on agricultural land use. We have developed a system for assessing potential land use in the Rural Zone and have a thorough understanding of the application of the state policy on the Protection of Agricultural Land 2009.

We have experience in analysing the importance of agriculture to the rural economy based on the best available datasets.

Natural Values Assessments

AK consultants can undertake surveys for flora and fauna and vegetation and conduct desktop studies for Natural Values. We provide advice on management requirements, for development applications, dam and other infrastructure assessments and Forest Practices Plans. We can also advise on rehabilitation and restoration works. The services we provide in Natural Values is generally associated with other services and provides a one-stop-shop approach to additional assessment requirements for Development Applications and Dam Assessments. We can advise whether additional expertise is required in specific values or provide this additional expertise ourselves for Freshwater crayfish and burrowing crayfish.

Property Management Planning

AK Consultants have broad experience in all aspects of property management; including financial, technical and environmental matters. Where a higher level of assessment is required, for example threatened species surveys or Forest Practices Plans, we have links with other consultants who can provide the necessary consulting advice.

Rivercare and Environmental Management Planning

Our consultants have prepared many Rivercare Plans for rivers in the north of the State, including reaches of the Ringarooma, South Esk, Macquarie, Inglis/Flowerdale, Meander, Mersey, Don and others. Some of these plans have extended to Catchment Management Plans.

Salinity risk assessment and management

Some Tasmanian soils and landscapes have high levels of salinity, either from natural accumulation or as a result of land management activities. We have undertaken a number of studies in the low rainfall areas of Tasmania and can provide an assessment of salinity risks and the requirements for management. This work commonly involves an assessment of the potential impacts on groundwater; where specialist advice is required on groundwater we engage Mark Hocking (Hocking et al), a specialist hydro-geologist with extensive experience in salinity in Tasmania.

Soil assessment, mapping and management

AK Consultants have many years experience in assessing soils for Land Capability, suitability for irrigation and salinity risk. Peter Zund is a soil surveyor with considerable experience in regional soil mapping including agricultural land suitability, acid sulfate soils, project design and management. AK Consultants can provide farm, catchment, and regional scale soil and land resource surveys. These can help to identify new crop and horticultural potential, ensure appropriate irrigation development, assist with local planning and identify land resource risks associated with new developments.

Sustainable Farm Plans

AK Consultants in association with Badcock Irrigation Services and Mark Hocking are pre-qualified to deliver the property management planning modules required by Tas Quality Assured (TQA) to meet the requirements under the Sustainable Farms Tasmania Environmental Accreditation Scheme.

Water Access Plans

AK Consultants, in association with Rural Development Services, are pre-qualified to deliver the property management planning modules which comprise the Water Access Plans required by Tasmanian Irrigation as a prerequisite for the provision of irrigation water.

Water development and irrigation planning

AK Consultants have a number of specialist skills associated with irrigation. These skills can be applied at the farm scale or the regional scale and they include:

• Assessment of the land and water resources, and their suitability for irrigation development.
• Water resource assessment; with determination of the water requirements for irrigation development and the options for supply.
• Preparation of Dam Assessment Reports, Water Allocation Assessment Reports and Dam Process Reports; See Dam Assessments and Water Licence applications.
• Irrigation feasibility studies.
• Salinity risk assessment and management.
• Design of the irrigation concept.
• Advice on water costs and water trading.