Steve Onogbo did not start out planning to be an environmental consultant.
Originally trained in electrical and electronics engineering, Steve moved to Australia in 2016 and began working in construction. From there, his career shifted into remediation and contaminated land work. As he describes it, this was about fixing what had already gone wrong.
“That work was important,” Steve says, “but it was very reactive. You are repairing damage that has already been done.”
That realisation is what ultimately led him into environmental consultancy, and to Lidiar Group. Today, Steve works at the front end of projects, helping clients identify and manage environmental risks before they become costly, disruptive or irreversible.
In his role as an Associate Environmental Consultant, Steve supports clients across renewable energy, government, and private-sector projects. His work includes environmental compliance auditing, environmental management systems, ISO 14001 support and the development of practical documentation that can be implemented on site, not just filed away.
A key part of Steve’s role is helping project teams understand what environmental approval conditions actually mean in practice.
“Most clients want certainty,” he explains. “They want to know what they can do, what they cannot do, and how to avoid compliance risks that could stop a project.”
Steve has particular experience working on renewable energy projects, including large-scale solar developments where environmental management, biodiversity protection and community engagement all intersect. He has also seen firsthand how good environmental planning can shift perceptions, moving environmental management from a cost burden to a source of real value.
“There are projects where environmental planning has created revenue streams,” he says. “That is when the conversation really changes.”
What ultimately drives Steve is the belief that infrastructure built today should not limit the choices available to future generations.
“I am not an activist,” he says, “but if we are building assets that are meant to last 100 years, we have a responsibility to make sure what they are built on can last just as long.”
Known for his calm, practical approach and clear communication style, Steve works closely with contractors, project directors and regulators to navigate complex legislation and reduce risk.
“Environmental mistakes are always expensive,” he says. “It is much better to think ahead.”