AEP opens Central Coast office

AEP opens Central Coast Office to Strengthen Regional Services and Support Staff

TUGGERAH, NSW —This week, AEP one of the leading ecological consultancies in NSW, is proud to announce the opening of its new Central Coast office, located within the Tuggerah Business Park. This strategic expansion supports both AEP’s growing client base across the Central Coast and Hunter regions and the wellbeing of its Central Coast-based staff by significantly reducing their daily commutes.

Founded in Newcastle in 2013, AEP has grown steadily over the past decade, opening a successful Sydney office in mid-2023 and now employing over 65 staff across NSW. With expertise in biodiversity, bushfire and arboriculture planning and legislation, AEP has established itself as the consultant of choice for clients seeking timely, high-quality environmental services.

“AEP’s growth is driven by long-term relationships and a reputation for technical excellence and practical solutions,” said Craig Anderson, Managing Director of AEP. “Our new Tuggerah office allows us to better serve our clients in the region while offering more flexibility and work-life balance to our Central Coast based staff.”

The new office will initially be home to approximately 12 staff, with ample room to cater for further forecast growth. AEP anticipates that the new location will also help attract experienced environmental professionals to the team, being those who live on the Central Coast but are currently commuting to Sydney or Newcastle due to limited local opportunities.

The Central Coast office will be led by Natalie Black, an accomplished Senior Environmental Manager and Accredited BAM Assessor. Natalie brings over 20 years of experience across government and consultancy, with expertise spanning terrestrial and aquatic ecology, bushfire assessment, environmental planning and legal processes, including extensive experience in NSW Land and Environment Court matters. She also leads AEP’s aquatic ecology practice and is a certified conservation detection dog handler.

Natalie recently acted as the expert ecological witness in a significant NSW Land and Environment Court case involving an 182-lot residential subdivision at Mardi, which garnered substantial local media attention. Her evidence was pivotal in addressing complex ecological considerations, including threatened species and biodiversity offsetting, ultimately influencing the Court's approval of the development. The case underscores AEP’s commitment to informed, legally robust ecological assessments and further highlights Natalie’s reputation as a trusted expert in the environmental field.

AEP continues to deliver innovative and robust environmental solutions for a wide range of sectors including major projects, biodiversity offsetting, land development, energy and renewables, infrastructure, legal, conservation, government, mining, and quarrying. The firm’s specialist team includes five Accredited Biodiversity Assessors, four AQF5 Arborists, and leading experts in terrestrial, aquatic, and marine ecology, restoration, fauna spotting, bushfire planning and biodiversity credit trading.

With the opening of the Central Coast office, AEP further cements its commitment to providing accessible, regionally focused services across NSW while maintaining the technical expertise and strategic insight its clients have relied on since 2013.