Deryk - Synopsis

In December 1990 Deryk graduated from the University of Wollongong with an Honours degree in Environmental Science. Once this was completed, Deryk moved to Ravenshoe in Far Northern Queensland where he spent a year researching Yellow-bellied Gliders in an area proposed for damming. A part of this study was published in a 1996 edition of Wildlife Research. Deryk has also written a paper on the Diet of the Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus axillaris), this being published in The Australian Bird Watcher (1997) and one on natural resource management for a zookeeper's conference (2001).

Since returning from Queensland, Deryk has worked as an environmental consultant. During this time he has undertaking a large number of fauna surveys, using a diverse range of identification techniques. These surveys have formed part of such planning documents as Land Rezonings, Local Environment Plans, Development Control Plans, Development Applications, Reviews of Environmental Factors, Environmental Impact Statements, Species Impact Statements and State of the Environment Reports. These surveys have been undertaken within both small and large parcels of land throughout NSW.

The fauna identification techniques employed by Deryk are standard survey methods, ones that would stand up to peer review. These techniques include, but are not limited to, direct observation, spotlighting, use of ultrasonic detectors to determine the presence of insectivorous bat species, live trapping, habitat assessment and call playbacks to target threatened owls and frogs.

Some of the organisations that have contracted Deryk include the Commonwealth Department of Defence, the NSW Department of Environment and Conservation, the NSW Roads and Traffic Authority, Sydney Water, the NSW Department of Commerce, Sutherland, Shellharbour, Liverpool, Hawkesbury, Picton and Gundagai Councils, GHD Consulting, CH2M Hill, Hyder Consulting and URS Australia.

Large projects Deryk has been involved in include the Walcha-Nundle, Kempsey-Wauchope, and Dorrigo Biodiversity Surveys, the M2, M4, M5 and M7 Motorways, Lawrence Hargraves Drive, deep water access pipeline works at both Avon and Nepean Dams, the proposal to raise Tallowa Dam, the rezoning of land at Picton, Grose Wold and Wadalba, an audit of the native fauna of the Maroota Crown Lands, Bangadilly and Joadja National Parks and Warrah Creek Catchment (south west of Tamworth), and surveys for threatened species at Dubbo, within the Pilliga, Royal and Botany Bay National Parks, the Holsworthy Military Lands, Liverpool Local Government Area and Wyong Region.

Recently Deryk has been involved in the preparation of a flora and fauna opportunities and constraints study and assessment report for the raising of Tallowa Dam’s wall, west of Kangaroo Valley; a flora and fauna assessment of a proposal to access Avon and Nepean Dam’s deep water storages; targeted surveys for threatened bats roosting in derelict mines in the Bathurst region; and an ecological constraints analysis for the proposed widening and realignment of the Castlereagh Highway, south of Mudgee. Each of these surveys has required the:

Identification of threatened and protected native species;
Identification of fauna corridors;
The preparation of an assessment report;
The preparation of mitigative measures; and
The development of management proposals.

Deryk was responsible for determining the location of possible development sites, whilst not compromising the integrity and value of the ecological communities present.

During the last eight years, Deryk has completed a three month contract as a Ranger/Project Manager (track maintenance) for the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, South Metropolitan Region, a twelve month contract with the Environmental Section of the Roads and Traffic Authority, Sydney Region and a six month contract as an Environmental Officer with Hyder Consulting. Deryk undertook these short term contracts so that he could work-in-house on specific ecological projects.