About Us
A small, agile, diverse team, VGT are adept problem-solvers, using our experience to predict a client’s next environmental challenge, before it arises.
Trusted for our specialist expertise, and experience liaising with government departments and industry authorities, we are known for being ahead of the game. When water tests typically took several days to return results, we responded, developing a unique suite of tests capable of delivering results in under two hours.
From Environmental Impact Statements, annual reviews, quarry plans, and geological resource assessments to sediment and erosion plans, titles and tenure management, quarry and mine operation plans, and a full suite of laboratory testing, our team delivers companies the resources they need and confidence they will achieve a compliant environmental solution.
We are the environmental compliance experts industries can’t afford not to use.
Greg Thomson
Director and Geologist
Greg Thomson is VGT's Director and a geologist with over 30 years’ experience in the environmental and planning aspects of many industrial operations. Greg has extensive experience in the quarrying, extraction and mining industries, seeing a variety of projects through from inception to rehabilitation. His AUSIMM membership ensures that all exploration reports meet with JORC guidelines, and his leadership role within the Institute of Quarrying Australia (IQA) keeps him at the forefront of issues facing the extraction industry.
Greg has worked in the private and public sectors, and his core skills include navigating industry through the complex process of environmental reporting, impact assessments, annual reviews and title and tenure management. His geological expertise is in the areas of resource evaluation and assessment and includes projects at over 60 quarries and 5 coal mining operations, together with the supervision of drilling and sampling programs. Greg also investigates regional exploration programs designed to identify and evaluate resources for commodities such as Sand, Rhyolite, Clay and Shale, Andesite, Sandstone, Basalt, Limestone, Coal, and Industrial Minerals.
Education and Professional Affiliations:
- Bachelor of Applied Science (Geology)
- Certificate IV in Quarry Management
- Fellow of the Institute of Quarrying (F IQA) (www.quarry.com.au)
- Member of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (M Aus IMM) (www.ausimm.com.au)
Lisa Thomson
Environmental Chemist
Lisa is a Chartered Chemist and has over 30 years’ experience in analytical and environmental chemistry, with 25 years spent focusing on environmental consultancy and testing. Previous positions include a research tenure in CSIRO, and development chemist at various manufacturing plants.
Lisa’s leadership guided the VGT testing facilities through the stringent process to obtain NATA accreditation, a nationally and internationally recognised indicator of technical competence and best practice. Lisa developed VGT’s innovative NATA-accredited mobile laboratory which is capable of testing Total Suspended Solids (TSS) on site as well as the more traditional field tests.
Lisa has contributed to a number of technical journals and also lectured at seminars on the subject of environmental sampling and analysis. Her short-course in environmental sampling has been well received.
She has assisted clients in industries including local government, mining and extractives, road and rail construction, civil projects, and manufacturing. Lisa has gained particular experience with various flocculation and coagulation techniques, and extensive expertise in sampling environmental constituents. Her knowledge of NEPM, ANZECC and Waste Classifications and Exemptions allows clients an understanding of what the results all mean and how the site is trending. Compliance from the molecular level up.
Education and Professional Affiliations:
- Bachelor of Applied Science, Honours (Chemistry)
- Chartered Chemist (CChem), Royal Australian Chemical Institute (https://www.raci.org.au/)
- Certificate IV in Training and Assessment
Tara O'Brien
Environmental Scientist
Tara O’Brien is an environmental scientist with more than 20 years’ professional experience in chemical laboratories and environmental consultancies. After obtaining a Bachelor of Science from the University of Newcastle, Tara worked as a coal chemist and Quality Assurance Officer for Oakbridge Marketing Pty Ltd, later completing post graduate studies in Environmental Science. The change in career direction led to her working for HLA Envirosciences Pty Ltd in both laboratory and consultancy roles until the acquisition of the operation by Australian Laboratory Services Pty Ltd, where her role as the laboratory supervisor continued.
Tara has extensive experience in compliance auditing and reporting, mine operation plans, soil and water management plans, erosion and sediment control plans, mine lease applications, mine closure plans, mine lease relinquishment reports, and rehabilitation management plans. She is also experienced in project managing Environmental Impact Assessments, Environmental Assessments and Development Applications.
Tara is a certified professional in erosion and sediment control and has specialised experience in creating practical erosion and sediment management plans that meet the latest requirements outlined in Managing Urban Stormwater (the ‘Blue book’).
Education and Professional Affiliations:
- Bachelor of Science from the University of Newcastle
- Graduate Certificate in Environmental Studies
- Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control (CPESC no 8255) (https://www.austieca.com.au/)
Anthony Crane
Laboratory Manager
Anthony Crane joined VGT in 2015 to support the expansion of our laboratory services, in order to better provide an all-encompassing localised service for our clients.
With a Bachelor of Applied Science, majoring in Environmental Chemistry and Aquatic Biology, he has more than 25 years’ experience gained in EPA Victoria, Victorian Department of Agriculture, Australian Government Analytical Laboratories, AMDEL environmental laboratories, Coffey construction material testing and SGS Coal testing.
He has an intimate knowledge of the testing requirements in a range of industry backgrounds, including environmental monitoring, construction sites, general materials testing, coal analysis. Anthony has a passion for limnology - the study of inland waters, lakes, reservoirs, rivers, streams, wetlands, and groundwater as ecological systems interacting with their drainage basins and the atmosphere.
With this rounded knowledge Anthony brings an expertise that directly addresses the target needs of our customers when managing water in and around their work sites.
Education and Professional Affiliations:
- Bachelor of Applied Science, majoring in Environmental Chemistry and Aquatic Biology.
