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USC attracts leading environmental scientist
One of Australia’s most experienced field scientists, who has advised on major public and private sector projects here and overseas, has joined the University of the Sunshine Coast.
Dr Hugh Lavery has been appointed Adjunct Professor of Land Planning with USC’s Office of Regional Engagement.
Brisbane-based Dr Lavery has spent five decades helping businesses and governments generate economic and environmental sustainability.
His skills are diverse, from producing award-winning nature documentaries and compiling National Geographic wildlife books to serving as principal environmental adviser to AMP’s Stanbroke Pastoral Company (at one time Australia's biggest corporate landholder).
Currently Dr Lavery is Executive Counsel to Meridien Pty Ltd, designing and constructing the largest marinas in the country including chairing the Community Reference Group for the $800 million Port of Airlie development.
“In my experience, the ‘coalface’ between environment and development in Queensland is most clearly seen at new marina developments – they are located at sensitive coastal sites but are major gateways to our World Heritage Areas,” he said.
Dr Lavery, formerly an Adjunct Professor of Land Development & Environmental Planning at Texas A & M University, said he was pleased to focus on the Sunshine Coast as it explored a new model for urban development.
“I’m impressed with USC's enlightened approach to the Coast’s issues of sustainability.” He will be working closely with Pro Vice-Chancellor (Regional Engagement) Mike Hefferan and USC’s Sustainability Research Centre run by Professor Tim Smith.
Dr Lavery said he hoped to contribute to the work being done by USC’s Sustainability Research Centre. “My learning curve will be in November when I attend a retreat for centre staff at Lake Weyba,” he said.
“The Sunshine Coast is a model study area for sustainable development in Australia – it is an outstanding environmental area and we need to determine the best way of moving forward.”
Dr Lavery remains chairman of the 21-year-old corporate consultancy Australian Environment International (aei).
Prior to that the UQ and JCU graduate was founding Director of Research and Planning in the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service. His work has taken him on more than 50 extended tours overseas, with substantial input into environmental tourism facilities in Malaysia and Japan.
Dr Lavery was the inaugural Environmental Practitioner of the Year (2007-08), selected by the Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand.
– Julie Gatehouse