Fostering a culture of cross-discipline information sharing
The four major workflows required to bring a project to market (securing land, environmental assessment and approval, layout design and engineering and grid connection) are distinct but interconnected, as are the environmental and technical aspects of the work that needs to be completed. Successfully navigating all four relies on accurate and timely information and a high level of confidence in the consultants engaged to get it right the first time.
Effective cross-discipline alignment, information sharing and collaboration supports both requirements.
Here are our top three practices for fostering a culture of cross-discipline information sharing.
1. Integrate design and environmental teams early
The regulator now requires a higher degree of design certainty at the environmental impact assessment stage. Progressing design and environmental impact assessment in parallel — with neither scope progressing too far ahead of the other — offers the best chance of getting them both right the first time.
This requires a high degree of collaboration and responsiveness between environmental and design teams, and teams to have a detailed understanding of all the workstreams, not just their own. This means that any environmental and constructability risks are identified and mitigated quickly, minimising the potential for delays and rework.
Where projects engage a single multidisciplinary provider — like Jacobs — to undertake the environmental impact assessment and engineering design, close alignment, information sharing and collaboration are baked in. Projects being delivered under a split contracting model require a more proactive approach.
Key action
Embed practices that encourage the free flow of information between environmental and design teams throughout the planning and approval process and around key milestones to drive collaboration across the wider project team.
2. Go beyond a quick ‘red flag’ environmental reviews
Most projects will complete an environmental constraints or red flag review prior to committing to more onerous landowner agreements or costly studies. While useful, they contribute to excessive spend before challenges are identified and addressed.
Engineers are the ultimate problem-solvers and can find design solutions to overcome even the toughest environmental constraints or challenges if they know about them. Yet, the more progressed the designs are, the harder and more costly it is to change course if new environmental considerations come to light.
Projects can progressively reduce risks by studying constructability and environmental constraints in stages to ensure an optimal and efficient assessment and development envelope. Better quality information leads to better quality of documentation and decision-making which will reduce time-consuming and costly re-work. Ultimately, the more design confidence available in the impact assessment, the better the assessment will be in reducing approval risk and the likelihood of onerous conditions of consent — both of which can delay project construction or require post approval spend to resolve.
Key action
Stage environmental and constructability assessments early and progressively to inform design decisions and reduce rework, approval risks and delays.
3. Lean into digital planning and delivery approaches
Renewable energy projects generate a huge amount of environmental and design data from digital and human sources. Bringing this data together in a shared environment where it can be accessed, viewed, analysed and interpreted by environmental and design teams and the client delivers several benefits, driving a high degree of transparency and cross-discipline information sharing and more informed decision making.
Key action
Establish a common data environment and shared platforms to provide a single source of truth for the project.
Got questions? Let’s talk.
Meet Ryan McCone
Renewable Energy Consultant, NZ
Ryan is an experienced renewable energy specialist, focusing on wind, solar, and battery energy storage systems development.
With experience in the legal sector and a strong background in environmental and regulatory frameworks, Ryan helps clients navigate the complexities of renewable energy development.
Connect with Ryan
Meet Thomas Muddle
Environmental Solutions Market Sector Lead for Energy and Power, ANZ
Thomas specializes in strategic approvals and compliance for the renewable energy sector.
He provides critical insights into pre-feasibility constraints, approval pathways, and risk mitigation, ensuring projects align with regulatory frameworks and sustainability objectives.
Connect with Thomas
Meet Liam Schwartz
Wind Technical Leader & Generation Team Leader, Australia
Liam is an energy engineer with over 12 years’ experience developing large-scale renewable energy and oil and gas projects in Australia, New Zealand and the UK. With experience spanning the entire project lifecycle, he has a clear understanding of the challenges and opportunities in bringing renewable energy projects to market and maximising value for all stakeholders.
He has a reputation as a strong integrator who facilitates effective teamwork and builds collaborative relationships across multiple disciplines.
Connect with Liam
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