ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING - MAKEPEACE ISLAND: Whilst we are OHS specialist in the Oil & Gas Industry we don't forget why we choose to study for years to become qualified environmental engineers. As such we occasionally take on environmental management projects that have wider implications. Makepeace Island was one of those projects.

The island estate located in the Noosa River is owned by three prominent business men, namely Mr. Brett Godfrey, Mr. Rob Sherrad, and Sir Richard Branson. Our role was to initialize the project and as in the case of rocket ships one of the hardest things to do is to get a project off the ground.

After discussing the project with each of the owners to gain an insight into their respective visions we door knocked the residents living at Tewantin closest to the island. We sought not their permission but their perspective on things including their expectation in terms of what sort of development would benefit their community. Before we came on board there was unfounded controversy. 'Tree houses' an expression used by Sir Richard in an interview meant one thing to him and something completely different to the people of the Shire of Noosa.

After speaking with the neighbours we next spoke to the local council and then began the selection process for Trade Contractors, Suppliers, and Consultants. Regarding the latter, our criteria was to source local people that were established in the community and had earned a solid reputation for honesty in their work. Our aims was value for money and the 'know how' to see things through. When your green fields are close to the water 'know how' is critical in terms of a cost effective success.

The project was initialized with the approval of most of the neighbours and the local council. Our role with respect to that project has ended.

However, if you are reading this Sir Richard please allow us the opportunity to submit an 'expression of interest' in relation to managing the workplace health and safety of any rocket ports you plan to build in the pacific, best regards, Environmental Engineer Lawrence Lyons.

The Makepeace Island project allowed us to return to thinking like Environmental Engineers for awhile and our research identified many important construction aspects and methodologies applicable to any island estate faced with rising sea levels.