Morgan O’Connell is the Partner Investigator representing Biologic in the ARC Training Centre for Healing Country.
Morgan is the founder of Biologic Environmental Survey Pty Ltd (Biologic), a biodiversity company that works with large mining and infrastructure companies and government to align their projects’ economic, environmental, and social value. Under Morgan’s leadership, Biologic’s team has grown to its current 70+ employees, delivering services including biological surveys, monitoring, genetic studies, restoration, and impact assessment. Throughout his experience founding, managing, and developing Biologic, Morgan has developed a broad skillset in business management and development, finance, contracts, marketing and human resourcing. He has most recently applied these skills in his role as director of three new ventures aimed at assisting companies in their transition to a low carbon and biodiversity positive future.
Morgan oversees all safety management procedures for Biologic. He has developed comprehensive Health, Safety and Environment Management Systems and Safe Work Procedures for all work undertaken by the company and its subcontractors. Morgan and the Biologic team have an impeccable safety record, and all staff have extensive experience in remote areas and have worked for the majority of mining clients in Western Australia.
Morgan is a passionate ecologist and has undertaken over 150 field surveys throughout Western Australia and Queensland. From this extensive fieldwork experience, Morgan has developed a comprehensive understanding of the plant, reptile , avian, amphibian and mammal species of Western Australia. His consulting value lies in this combination of experience in fauna survey, research and the state and federal approvals processes. Morgan understands the importance of purposeful deliverables and always delivers a product that meets his clients’ requirements.
Morgan has particular expertise relating to threatened fauna in the Pilbara region. He has over 16 years’ experience undertaking surveys for Pilbara leaf-nosed bat, ghost bat, northern quoll, mulgara, greater bilby and Pilbara olive python. Projects of note include ongoing ghost bat monitoring for BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto; Pilbara leaf-nosed bat monitoring for BHP Billiton and Atlas Iron; regional mapping of ghost bat roosting habitats in the Hamersley Ranges; and greater bilby habitat mapping within the Nullagine region. In the last few years, Morgan has managed some of the largest and most intensive fauna surveys in Western Australia.
Recently, Morgan was recognised by Business News’ 40under40 Awards. This annual award recognises 40 outstanding young businesspeople under the age of 40 for their personal determination, commercial drive and philanthropic pursuits that balance professional
achievements.