Meet the Team

Dion Iervasi

Dr Dion Iervasi has over 20 years of experience working as an aquatic ecologist. He completed his honours degree at Monash University investigating nitrogen cycling in wetlands before working in Sydney constructing wetlands, including for the Sydney Olympic precinct. He then worked as a research scientist at Monash University before accepting a scholarship to complete a PhD project at Deakin University where he investigated the effectiveness of constructed wetlands to treat wastewater using artificial substrates. Dion has worked for large consultancy firms, universities, as a sole trader, and now as an owner of Austral Research and Consulting.

Dion has extensive biological sampling and identification experience, in addition to managing, conducting and reporting on projects focusing on vegetation, wetlands, fish and macroinvertebrates.

Education

Deakin University

PhD, 2003-2008

Monash University

BSc. Env. (Hons), 1995-1998

Certificates and Qualifications

  • Inland Coxwains- Marine Safety Victoria

  • First Aid Level 2 inc. CPR

  • Principles and techniques of electrofishing

  • TLIF2080-Safely access the rail corridor

  • EPA Victoria RBA assessments

Contact direct.

Email : dion@austral.net.au

Phone : 0458 389 374

Paul Davies

For over 15 years Paul has been working with defence, government and private industry providing support, consultation, survey services and training services operating in the hydrographic survey field. With experience in operating a wide range of equipment he has a wealth of knowledge on how to get the best result for a survey solution. With experience operating inshore and offshore across Australia and internationally the knowledge gained from survey and dredge installations/support has a wealth of knowledge to draw from to provide the most suitable hydrographic survey solution..

Contact direct.

Email : paul@austral.net.au

Phone :

Thorin Robertson

Thorin has five years of experience working as an ecologist, specialising in fauna studies. He completed his honours degree at Deakin University investigating the presence and effect of tributyltin (an organic tin compound used in illegal boat hull antifouling agents) on Australian muricid gastropods. Thorin was then engaged as an aquatic ecologist on a range of projects including: Restoration of the Gellibrand Catchment for the Gellibrand Catchment Management Authority, Gellibrand and the development of the Index of Estuarine Conditions (IEC), Warrnambool

Thorin has extensive experience in preparing Environmental Management Plans, Pest Management Plans and prepared and implemented bat and avifauna management plans for a range of wind farms owned by multinational wind energy clients. He has a detailed understanding of environmental legislation and has successfully prepared Referrals under the EPBC Act 1999 that were subsequently accepted by the federal government. Thorin has a detailed understanding of the Offsets process and has successfully established offset sites, prepared Section 69 Agreements and Offset Management Plans for a range of protected species and communities. He has extensive experience in managing both large and small projects and has worked for large consultancies, Universities and Parks Victoria.

Education

Deakin University

BSc. Env. (Hons.), 2006-2009, 2011-2012

Certificates and Qualifications

  • 4WD training

  • Level 2 First Aid inc. CPR

  • TLIF2080-Safely access the rail corridor

  • Construction White Card

Contact direct.

Email : thorin@austral.net.au

Phone :