Stantec, a global leader in sustainable design and engineering, has acquired Niche, a 200-person environmental consultancy headquartered in Sydney, Australia, along with its wholly owned subsidiary, Ausecology. The addition strengthens Stantec’s ability to help clients advance critical infrastructure and development projects while protecting and restoring the natural environments communities depend on.
Recognised nationally for leadership in ecology, heritage, natural capital, and land restoration, Ausecology and Niche bring a strong east coast presence and a team of highly respected specialists whose work has helped balance growth, conservation, and cultural stewardship across Australia. Together, Stantec, Ausecology and Niche are creating one of the country’s leading environmental services practices with operations on both coasts, positioned to support clients at every stage of the project lifecycle. The acquisition grows Stantec’s environmental services team in Australia to nearly 450 professionals, with a presence in every mainland state.
As Australia invests in energy transition, transportation, housing, and resource development, environmental considerations are becoming increasingly central to project success. The addition of Ausecology and Niche expands Stantec’s ability to guide clients through permitting, biodiversity, and environmental planning challenges while accelerating the delivery of infrastructure and development that benefits communities for generations to come.
"Niche and Ausecology have built an exceptional reputation for helping clients achieve lasting outcomes for both people and nature," said Gord Johnston, president and chief executive officer of Stantec. "Their talented team strengthens our ability to address some of Australia's most important opportunities and challenges, from advancing the energy transition to delivering resilient infrastructure and protecting biodiversity. Together, we’re creating an environmental practice with the scale, expertise, and purpose to help clients move critical projects forward while leaving a positive impact on communities and the environment."
Expanding opportunities and impact
The acquisition enhances Stantec’s environmental services capabilities across Australia while increasing its presence in key sectors including energy, transportation, resources, land development, and land management. Niche and Ausecology serve approximately 200 clients with little overlap with Stantec’s client base. Longstanding relationships will provide new avenues of growth for Stantec across several business lines, while offering Niche and Ausecology clients access to global multidisciplinary services. Their additional biodiversity consulting business will be a new service at Stantec, helping clients navigate increasingly complex environmental requirements while achieving meaningful conservation outcomes.
“We are excited to take this next step in our evolution by joining Stantec,” said Ian Rollins, managing director, Niche. “Together, we are able to provide greater value for our clients and create new growth opportunities for our people. We look forward to being able to scale our impact and create more positive outcomes that strengthen communities, protect cultural heritage, and restore nature.”
Project experience
The diverse portfolio of Ausecology and Niche projects has helped shape stronger communities and healthier ecosystems, spanning several key areas including energy, land development and management, resources, and transport infrastructure. Notable projects include
- HumeLink Transmission Line – supported the energy transition by preparing Transgrid’s HumeLink Biodiversity Development Assessment Report, the largest assessment of its kind to date in Australia. The report and associated counsel helped limit ecological impacts on the 365-kilometre high-voltage transmission line.
- Parramatta Square Redevelopment – supported the A$2.7 billion municipal redevelopment by conducting archaeological excavations within one of Sydney’s most historically and culturally significant landscapes. Conducted in collaboration with Darug Traditional Owners, the work identified and preserved Aboriginal cultural heritage, uncovering artefacts and archaeological deposits that provide valuable insights into more than 10,000 years of human history.
- Mid-north coast Pacific highway upgrade ecological monitoring – implemented Transport for New South Wales’ Ecological Monitoring Programme from 2014 to 2025. The programme included extensive ecological surveys along a 38-kilometre stretch of highway to assess the success of mitigation measures protecting threatened species such as the giant barred frog and brush-tailed phascogale.
- Atlas Natural Gas Field – implemented a strategic biodiversity offset for Senex Energy in Queensland. The project included due diligence and site assessments to identify a suitable property, as well as development and regulator negotiation for the Offset Management Plan, combining expertise in biodiversity strategy and on-ground environmental management. The offset property now conserves habitat for koalas, greater gliders, and glossy black cockatoos.
About Stantec
Stantec empowers clients, people, and communities to rise to the world’s greatest challenges at a time when the world faces more unprecedented concerns than ever before.
We are a global leader in sustainable engineering and environmental consulting. Our professionals deliver the expertise, technology, and innovation communities need to manage ageing infrastructure, demographic and population changes, the energy transition, and more.
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