Biosis Pty Ltd

Biosis Pty Ltd is an Australian environmental consultancy providing ecological, environmental planning, geographic information system, archaeological and cultural heritage services. The company works with business, community and government organisations, particularly on projects requiring specialist environmental assessment, planning advice, field investigation, conservation planning and heritage research. Its work covers botany, zoology, aquatic ecology, Aboriginal archaeology, historic archaeology and cultural heritage across eastern Australia. The business was established in 1983 as Biosis Research Pty Ltd by ecologist Charles Meredith and colleagues who had previously been associated with the Australian Biological Research Group. Its formation came at an early stage in the development of Australia's specialist environmental-consulting sector, when many environmental issues were still handled primarily by government agencies, community organisations and volunteer groups. Biosis developed as a professional consultancy able to combine scientific fieldwork with planning, documentation and regulatory support. A major expansion of its capabilities occurred in 1995, when Biosis acquired du Cros & Associates, an archaeological consultancy operated by Hilary du Cros. The two organisations had previously been co-located, and the acquisition added archaeological and broader heritage expertise to Biosis's ecological services. This combination helped establish a multidisciplinary model in which ecological assessment, cultural heritage investigation and environmental planning could be delivered within one consultancy. Biosis has undertaken more than 18,500 consultancy projects, producing thousands of ecological and heritage reports. Its work has included conservation management plans, archaeological surveys, heritage studies and ecological assessments. The company has also developed bird-strike risk models for wind farms in Australia, work that contributed to the evidence base used in legal and regulatory matters involving renewable-energy development and environmental legislation. An example of its conservation-planning work is the Bittern coastal wetland conservation plan. The firm operates from a network of offices in south-eastern Australia, including locations in Melbourne, Geelong, Ballarat and Wangaratta in Victoria, and Albury, Newcastle, Gosford, Sydney, Western Sydney and Port Kembla in New South Wales. Its head office is in Port Melbourne. Biosis has maintained a stated emphasis on independence and professional best practice, serving public and private-sector clients across infrastructure, land development, conservation and related fields. In 2012, founder Charles Meredith sold his interest in the company to senior employees. In June 2024, Biosis announced that it was joining APEM Group, a United Kingdom-headquartered environmental consultancy group. Biosis became the first Australian company to join APEM Group. The transaction connected an established Australian ecological and heritage consultancy with a larger international environmental-services network while retaining Biosis's role and geographic base in Australia.

Biosis began in 1983 as Biosis Research Pty Ltd, founded by ecologist Charles Meredith and several colleagues from the Australian Biological Research Group. The company was among the early specialist ecological consultancies established in Australia. Its creation reflected the growing need for independent scientific advice on development, conservation and environmental management at a time when environmental work was more commonly undertaken by public agencies, community groups and volunteers. During its early development, Biosis concentrated on ecological research and consultancy. Its work expanded across botany, zoology, aquatic ecology and environmental planning, allowing the company to support projects that required field surveys, impact assessment, conservation advice and planning documentation. Over time, it also developed geographic information system capabilities and produced substantial technical reporting for public and private clients. In 1995, Biosis purchased the archaeological consultancy du Cros & Associates, operated by Hilary du Cros. The businesses had been co-located for several years before the acquisition. Bringing the archaeological firm into Biosis broadened the company's scope from ecological consulting into Aboriginal archaeology, historic archaeology and cultural heritage. This created a multidisciplinary service model linking natural-environment assessment with investigation and management of Indigenous and historic heritage. Biosis subsequently became involved in a wide range of ecological and heritage projects in eastern Australia. It has completed more than 18,500 consultancy projects and produced several thousand reports, including conservation management plans, archaeological surveys and heritage studies. Its work included the Bittern coastal wetland conservation plan and the development of bird-strike risk models for wind farms. The latter work contributed to the technical and legal discussion surrounding environmental effects and renewable-energy development in Australia. Biosis also participated as a collaborative partner in Australian Research Council-funded research concerning threatened bird species in 2009. The company's conservation-planning work received external recognition in 2012, when Biosis jointly received the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects Land Management Award for its Aurora Conservation Reserve Management Plan. In the same year, founder Charles Meredith sold his shareholding or interest in the business to senior members of staff, marking a transition from founder ownership to employee leadership. Biosis operates as an Australian proprietary limited company. Its office network has included sites in Victoria and New South Wales, with locations such as Melbourne, Geelong, Ballarat, Wangaratta, Albury, Newcastle, Gosford, Sydney, Western Sydney and Port Kembla. The head office is located at 38 Bertie Street, Port Melbourne, Victoria. In June 2024, Biosis announced that it was joining APEM Group, an international environmental consultancy headquartered in the United Kingdom. The move made Biosis the first Australian company to join APEM Group and connected its Australian ecological and heritage capabilities with a broader environmental-consulting group. The available reference material does not specify the financial terms, detailed ownership structure or post-transaction executive appointments.

• 2024

  Biosis joins APEM Group

  [1]Biosis Pty Ltden.wikipedia.org

  The company announces that it is joining APEM Group, becoming the group's first Australian company.

• 2012

  Founder transfers ownership interest

  [1]Biosis Pty Ltden.wikipedia.org

  Charles Meredith sells his interest in Biosis to senior members of staff.

• 2012

  Aurora Conservation Reserve award

  [1]Biosis Pty Ltden.wikipedia.org

  Biosis jointly receives the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects Land Management Award for the Aurora Conservation Reserve Management Plan.

• 2009

  Participation in threatened-bird research

  [1]Biosis Pty Ltden.wikipedia.org

  Biosis participates as a collaborative partner in Australian Research Council-funded research on threatened bird species.

• 1995

  Acquisition of du Cros & Associates

  [1]Biosis Pty Ltden.wikipedia.org

  Biosis purchases the archaeological consultancy du Cros & Associates, bringing archaeological and heritage research into its ecological-consulting business.

• 1983

  Biosis Research is founded

  [1]Biosis Pty Ltden.wikipedia.org

  Ecologist Charles Meredith and colleagues from the Australian Biological Research Group establish Biosis Research Pty Ltd as an ecological consultancy in Australia.

A multidisciplinary Australian environmental and heritage consultancy combining ecological science, planning, GIS, archaeology and cultural heritage expertise for government, business and community clients.

• Environmental consulting

  Ecological consulting

  Biosis provides ecological investigations and advice covering botany, zoology and aquatic ecology. Typical work includes field surveys, environmental assessment, ecological reporting and advice intended to support planning, conservation and development decisions.

• Environmental planning

  Environmental planning and GIS

  The consultancy supports environmental planning through technical analysis, spatial information and geographic information system services. These capabilities help clients organise survey results, assess environmental constraints and prepare planning or management documentation.

• Heritage consulting · 1995

  Archaeology and cultural heritage

  Biosis undertakes Aboriginal and historic archaeological work and broader cultural heritage research. Services include archaeological surveys, heritage studies, assessment and management advice, extending the company's remit beyond natural-environment consulting.

• Conservation services

  Conservation management planning

  Biosis prepares conservation management plans and related environmental-management documents for sites and landscapes. Its reported work includes the Bittern coastal wetland conservation plan and the Aurora Conservation Reserve Management Plan.

• Environmental risk assessment

  Wind-farm bird-strike risk modelling

  The company has developed bird-strike risk models for wind farms in Australia. These models support assessment of potential effects on bird populations and have contributed to legal and regulatory consideration of wind-energy projects.

• 2024

  Biosis joins APEM GroupM&A

  Background

  Biosis sought to join a broader environmental-consulting network while continuing its Australian operations and specialist ecological and heritage work.

  Action taken

  Biosis announced that it was joining APEM Group, a United Kingdom-headquartered environmental consultancy group.

  Aftermath

  Biosis became the first Australian company in APEM Group. No transaction value or detailed post-joining management arrangements are identified in the available source.

  Source

• 2012

  Founder transfers interest to senior staffStrategy

  Background

  After nearly three decades of operation, founder Charles Meredith exited his ownership position.

  Action taken

  Meredith sold his share or ownership interest to senior members of staff.

  Aftermath

  The transaction transferred ownership from the founder to senior employees; the available source does not provide further structural or financial details.

  Source

• 1995

  Acquisition of du Cros & AssociatesM&A

  Background

  Biosis had been operating alongside the archaeological consultancy du Cros & Associates before acquiring the firm.

  Action taken

  Biosis purchased du Cros & Associates and incorporated archaeological and heritage capabilities into its service offering.

  Aftermath

  The acquisition broadened Biosis into a multidisciplinary environmental, archaeological and cultural heritage consultancy.

  Source

1. 1Biosis Pty Ltden.wikipedia.org