Shannon LeBel
Shannon LeBel has over 12 years’ experience in the environmental field, specialising in ecological research, plant ecology and vegetation management and assessment. He has an extensive knowledge of indigenous and exotic vegetation, and native fauna habitats of south-eastern Australia, and a strong understanding of ecosystems present in these regions.
As the lead author and/or co-author for over 200 projects for a range of private and government clients, Shannon's work has included a large number of mining and infrastructure developments in Victoria and Queensland, and long-term flora and fauna monitoring throughout the Greater Melbourne region. In addition, he has completed numerous offset assessments, flora and fauna surveys, environmental weed mapping projects, unpermitted vegetation clearance assessments and audit reports for remnant vegetation condition in urban and rural areas.
Shannon has project-managed and undertaken a number of major ecological investigations including ecological studies for the Environment Effects Statement (EES) for Stawell Gold Mine’s Big Hill Project, the ecological studies for the EES for the Bunyip North Quarry and the ecological monitoring and auditing as part of Public Transport Victoria’s Caroline Springs Railway Station Development. In addition, he is regularly the lead ecologist on a variety of other projects, including statewide vegetation condition and bushfire fuel load assessments for the Victorian Government, and extensive vegetation quality assessments and mapping within Melbourne’s expanded growth areas.
Respected for his expert planning advice around the relevant State and Commonwealth environmental legislation, Shannon has appeared as an expert witness at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) and Planning Panels Victoria. In addition, he is DELWP certified for the Vegetation Quality Assessment (Habitat Hectare) method.
Key Skills
- Due diligence assessments for government/private developers
- Effective management of large, long-term projects
- Rapid assessments of potential offset properties
- Representation of the interests of clients professionally and respectfully
Key Projects
- Vegetation Condition and Fuel Load Assessment (DELWP)
- Caroline Springs Railway Station Ecological Investigations (Public Transport Victoria)
- Wollert Quarry – Ecological Investigations and Approvals (Hanson Construction Materials)
- Big Hill Enhancement Project, Stawell Gold Mine Ecological Assessments (Crocodile Gold)
- North Bunyip Quarry (Hanson Construction Materials)
- Kilmore-Wallan Bypass, Kilmore, Victoria (VicRoads)
Professional Affiliations
- Ecological Consultants Association of Victoria (ECAV) - Member
- Environmental Institute of Australia and New Zealand (EIANZ) - Member
- Victorian Planning and Environmental Law Association (VPELA) - Member
