Cowie Environmental are a dynamic environmental and sustainability consultancy.
Based in Brisbane and established in 2015, we have quickly developed a reputation for having the depth and diversity of experience required for any project regardless of the scale, nature, location, or sensitivity.
Our work spans the construction, resources, transport, water, renewables and private industries. Across these sectors, our team has successfully delivered on a range of projects with varied scope from compliance auditing and inspections, to planning and approvals, construction and project management, field sampling and preparation of technical reports. We carefully cultivate the balance of experience within our team. That’s what makes us unique.
The knowledge, skill, and experience we hold allows us to provide a comprehensive service across the life of your project, regardless of complexity. That means we can offer similar expertise to a larger firm, without the overheads that typically increase costs on your project. When working with you, we are attuned to the commercial and technical drivers that ensure your project’s success. Focusing on efficient and innovative solutions that meet the expectations of key stakeholders and add value. Your project is our project, and we invest in it.
Cowie Environmental Services (Cowie) company values are based on being “Committed, Specialised and Precise”.
We are honest with each other and our clients.
We consider what is the best outcome for our clients and ensure that our clients know that at Cowie Environmental we do not cut corners. We always maintain our responsibility as environmental professionals to do the right thing.
Our management team will continue to provide support and guidance to the team and ensure that we continue to do the right thing. We are always transparent when working together and with our clients.
Our People
We strive to make sure that we always have the right team, technical skills, and culture. We are all team players and have respect for each other. We appreciate and recognise each other’s efforts.
We provide flexibility and empower our employees in a work environment that is conducive to creating a good work-life balance.
We recognise that family and personal wellbeing is important to all and should be the first consideration.
We have a culture that ensures we also have fun and enjoy ourselves (e.g., celebrating our achievements).
No matter what level of experience an individual has they should be able to complete the allocated task(s) and be comfortable about asking for help.
We do what we say we will do, and if needed we ask colleagues for help and support. All staff members are to provide leadership and to not shy away from supporting others in need.
Our People
We strive to make sure that we always have the right team, technical skills, and culture. We are all team players and have respect for each other. We appreciate and recognise each other’s efforts.
We provide flexibility and empower our employees in a work environment that is conducive to creating a good work-life balance.
We recognise that family and personal wellbeing is important to all and should be the first consideration.
We have a culture that ensures we also have fun and enjoy ourselves (e.g., celebrating our achievements).
We ensure that we provide solutions that our clients require, without losing focus.
We build relationships through quality work and strive to become a preferred / trusted supplier.
Where possible we pass on opportunities for others in the team that may arise on your projects. We continue to provide value for money and ensure that this is how we are perceived by our clients. Our goal is to exceed client expectations.
We respect everyone’s individual differences and foster a work environment that encourages staff members to step outside of their comfort zone.
We also encourage team members to speak up if we experience or witness anything that is not right.
We are honest with each other and our clients.
We consider what is the best outcome for our clients and ensure that our clients know that at Cowie Environmental we do not cut corners. We always maintain our responsibility as environmental professionals to do the right thing.
Our management team will continue to provide support and guidance to the team and ensure that we continue to do the right thing. We are always transparent when working together and with our clients.
We strive to make sure that we always have the right team, technical skills, and culture. We are all team players and have respect for each other. We appreciate and recognise each other’s efforts.
We provide flexibility and empower our employees in a work environment that is conducive to creating a good work-life balance.
We recognise that family and personal wellbeing is important to all and should be the first consideration.
We have a culture that ensures we also have fun and enjoy ourselves (e.g., celebrating our achievements).
No matter what level of experience an individual has they should be able to complete the allocated task(s) and be comfortable about asking for help.
We do what we say we will do, and if needed we ask colleagues for help and support. All staff members are to provide leadership and to not shy away from supporting others in need.
We ensure that we provide solutions that our clients require, without losing focus.
We build relationships through quality work and strive to become a preferred / trusted supplier.
Where possible we pass on opportunities for others in the team that may arise on your projects. We continue to provide value for money and ensure that this is how we are perceived by our clients. Our goal is to exceed client expectations.
We respect everyone’s individual differences and foster a work environment that encourages staff members to step outside of their comfort zone.
We also encourage team members to speak up if we experience or witness anything that is not right.
Cowie has a core team of senior and environmental scientists supported by an experienced management team. We support them to be able to adapt to high pressure, rise to advisory levels when required, and enhance outcomes beyond the initial scope.
Communicating clearly not just on technical aspects, but with a variety of stakeholders. Should your project require, we can expand our capabilities with our network of hand-picked, known, and trusted subconsultants and casuals.
Brendan Cowie
Simon Foster
Leah Kleinschmidt
Sharna Burn
Chynna Santos
Matthew Barrett
Gail Lemon
Brendan Cowie
Brendan has worked in environmental science for more than 20 years across a broad range of sectors, in Queensland, NSW and SA. He has gained deep experience in the detailed design, approvals, construction, operational, and closure phases of major developments. Utilising this knowledge, he has nurtured a dynamic team of environmental and sustainability experts who can work in key markets on projects of any size or scale.
Simon Foster
Simon has over 15 years of experience in environmental consulting. Throughout his career, he has led environmental assessments and investigations into community and environmental impacts. As well, he has supported management of construction-related requirements for projects in mining and government both in Australia and overseas. Simon has excellent working knowledge of water, sediment, and contaminated land management and remediation guidelines.
Leah Kleinschmidt
Leah is a skilled and performance-driven Senior Environmental Scientist with over 10 years’ experience in consulting, project management and construction. Leah is experienced in environmental impact assessments, preparation and delivery of environmental approvals, erosion and sediment control, environmental construction support, incident investigation and auditing. She has supported some significant projects in construction, infrastructure, rail, and mining.
Sharna Burn
Sharna has over 7 years of experience in the environmental construction and waste industries. She has worked with a variety of stakeholders, clients, colleagues, and consultants. Sharna has a thorough knowledge of legislative requirements in construction projects, design options, constraints, and improvements. She can take projects from conception through to construction. From obtaining environmental permits, to preparing and writing construction management documents (e.g., CEMPs).
Chynna Santos
Chynna is a graduate from the University of Queensland, where she completed a Bachelor of Environmental Management (Honours), with a specialization in Natural Systems and Wildlife. She has previous experience in wildlife handling and care, the identification of invasive grasses, and marine scuba diving. Since joining the Cowie team, she has provided invaluable project support across the business, formatting and collating technical reports and proposals, and is currently working on various aspects of environmental monitoring and mineral mining projects.
Matthew Barrett
Gail Lemon
Gail is an experienced Chief Financial Officer with a working history in the mining, financial services, client services and entrepreneurship sectors. Gail has over 20 years’ experience in building trusted relationships with Executive, Boards, Committees, funding bodies and other external stakeholders in small to medium enterprises.