Meet the Team: Dr. Regina Flugge, Environmental Lead

With over 25 years’ experience in environment and sustainable development, Regina’s extensive academic and professional background underpins the importance of her role as Environmental Lead at Leichhardt. Regina began consulting with Leichhardt in 2020 while continuing her role as the Principal Project Manager with Alternate Futures Pty Ltd.

Her experience spans corporate, university, government, and not-for-profit sectors. Having worked for the Chamber of Minerals and Energy (CME), and with Rio Tinto for 19 years, Regina has a strong pedigree buttressed through substantial experience in the resources sector. Regina has a Bachelor of Applied Science degree; Master of Science; Master of Business Administration; Master of Management; and a Doctorate in Business Administration.

Regina’s passion for the environment and sustainability assists Leichhardt with environmental impact assessment processes for our Eramurra project. These ensure that the project meets the high environmental standards expected by the Leichhardt Board and broader community.

Part of her role involves overseeing groups of environmental consultants, such as those who undertake flora and fauna surveys on the project site. These surveys are conducted as part of the environmental approvals process to ascertain if rare or threatened species occur on the project footprint. Regina looks forward to receiving the result from flora surveys conducted in Spring and Autumn by consultants.

“Other things we do include surface water modelling, where we put sensors in the creeks to monitor and gather creek flow data. John Lang, our GIS Lead, is doing this at the moment to prepare for the upcoming cyclone season - it’s predicted to be an above average one!”

Regina has also been instrumental in ensuring ponds are designed to retain roosting sites for migratory shorebirds, some protected under international treaties with South Korea, China, and Japan.

“For the Eramurra project, we are looking at ways to protect habitats in the area that the migratory shorebirds may use.  We are investigating the creation of roosting areas, and propose the depth of some ponds is shallow enough for birds to use as feeding areas.”

Regina is particularly excited by the prospect of transitioning to renewable energy over time.

“Eventually, projects like this will run on renewable energy. That’s certainly something I’m looking forward to.”

Outside of the office, Regina is involved in several committees and boards. She is currently Chair of the Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Advisory Committee and Deputy Chair of the Biosecurity Council of WA. She is also on the Climate change subcommittee for the EIANZ and the Australian World Heritage Advisory Committee and is an Advisory Board member for the ECU School of Business and Law.

Leichhardt CEO, Nathan Douglas and Environmental Lead, Dr. Regina Flugge