Introducing Tara Kennedy – Australia Market Lead

With over 15 years’ experience in environmental consulting, Tara has supported energy projects across the whole life cycle from early phase approvals, through construction and decommissioning. Among the few people in Australia to have led approvals for pumped hydropower storage projects, Tara’s experience in and enthusiasm for large-scale, innovative and transformational projects complements APEM Group principles and Australia’s renewable energy ambitions.

Tara has led feasibility licence applications and EIA for some of the world’s largest offshore wind and energy developers, helping them navigate the regulatory, technical and social impacts of delivering sustainable energy projects across Australia:

“It’s a fantastic opportunity to watch a project develop from the beginning. Local knowledge of the market and landscape is so important, with success depending on engaging with Traditional Owner groups, landholders and stakeholders, as well as clients. With an emphasis on exceptional experience at every touch point, information that is tailored and cuts to the point, and understanding of the issues and impacts, we’re working together to get better environmental outcomes that will be sustainable for the communities that rely on them. I’m so proud to be leaving a positive legacy that will genuinely change and improve our impact on the planet.”

Tara’s appointment strengthens APEM Group’s global experience and innovative technology with local knowledge and experience in supporting and navigating renewables projects for clients across the whole of Australia, onshore and offshore:

“APEM Group offers a unique perspective in the Australian market, with its combined offering of environmental and geo-spatial services. We have the ability to collect data at both a broad and targeted scale, but still operating within the framework of what will be required to support the environmental impact assessment and approvals for a project. With technology like LiDAR and H2OVER®, we’re starting from a strong digital basis and getting some incredible results.”

With a background in environmental legislation, Tara has worked extensively across Australia with a strong network of private and public clients. In combination with a once-in-a-generation change in national environmental laws, Tara sees APEM Group playing a key part in Australia becoming a core player in the global green energy movement:

“Becoming a green energy superpower is entirely possible for Australia. We’re about to undergo changes to federal environment legislation for the first time in nearly 25 years, which will bolster and support our green energy ambitions. Australia has some of the best renewable resources in the world, and I’m looking forward to joining APEM Group in supporting our clients, understanding the challenges, working on issues and enabling the renewable energy transition.”

Tara lives in Queensland near Moreton Bay, a large marine park that is protected internationally and an important stopping point for migratory species. With a love of water shared by many of her APEM Group colleagues, Tara spends a lot of time in and around Moreton Bay, taking in the diverse ecology from mudflats to coral reefs. When not outside, Tara spends her time creating elaborate Lego projects and entertaining her three-legged French bulldog, Maddie.

Tara Kennedy, Australia Market Lead, APEM Group – Australia

Contact Tara on LinkedIn here.

Further Reading:

APEM Group expands global presence with first Australian office

APEM Group in Australia

Supporting Australia’s first steps into offshore wind energy

APEM Group appoints Sean Sweeney

APEM Group appoints Tara Kennedy

Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

About APEM Group

With locations across the globe, APEM Group provide independent environmental consultancy and expert scientific advice to a wide range of industries including water, renewables, infrastructure, power and utilities, ports and harbours as well as to regulators and governments around the world.

We provide a range of services to clients including our world leading digital aerial wildlife surveys, environmental impact assessments, marine, water & terrestrial ecology, geospatial insights, shipping and navigational risk assessments and landscape visualisation.

Find out more: www.apemgroup.com

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Tara Kennedy Profile

Tara joins APEM Group with a background in environmental law, having begun her career in the Queensland government with legislative and policy work including projects on the Great Barrier Reef. She led the implementation, training and capability programmes for the NSW government legislative framework to impose higher restrictions on developers in order to mitigate biodiversity impacts: an influential project with a personal touch.

A move to environmental consulting followed in 2012, with a focus on EIA, approvals and compliance. In 2019, Tara changed her focus to the energy transition with a market-leading role in the dynamic space of renewable energy markets, both mature and emerging.

Tara has led EIA and approvals for large-scale energy and infrastructure projects, including most recently the Environmental Impact Statement for the Central West Pumped Hydro Project in New South Wales. She has established relationships with Commonwealth and State government regulators, and has led stakeholder and community engagement activities to support project delivery, including most recently as the Stakeholder Lead for the Department of Defence’s Wartime Remnants Cleanup Program.