TAISA BAARS -  
Environmental health SCIentist, Principal.

Translating complex environmental regulations into clear, actionable advice for clients.

I’m Taisa Baars, an Environmental Health Scientist and the founder of Byron Environmental Consulting.

My work sits at the intersection of environmental health, property, buildings, wastewater and planning. I help property owners and project teams understand complex site constraints, determine what genuinely matters and develop practical solutions supported by clear, technically robust reporting.

Based in the Northern Rivers, I work across Byron Bay, Ballina, Lismore, Tweed and surrounding rural and coastal areas.

My background

I hold a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health and have completed extensive tertiary study across science and environmental health.

My professional background includes:

• Environmental health and regulatory work with NSW Health

• Technical experience with Byron Shire Council in trade waste and water efficiency

• Assessment of on-site wastewater applications for local government

• More than a decade working across environmental health, wastewater and property-related investigations

• Preparation of technical reports for Council, development applications, legal matters and complex sites

This experience has given me an understanding of both sides of the assessment process: how an investigation should be undertaken in the field and how the resulting evidence will be considered by Council, planners, lawyers and other decision-makers.

More than one area of expertise

Environmental problems rarely exist in isolation.

A wastewater issue may also involve soil, slope, drainage, waterways and building location. A mould concern may involve moisture entry, ventilation, building materials and potential human exposure. A proposed development may require consideration of contamination, neighbouring land uses, noise and environmental health risks.

My combined knowledge of environmental health, buildings, wastewater and regulatory assessment allows me to examine these connections and consider the site as a whole.

That broader perspective is particularly valuable for unusual properties, constrained sites and projects that do not fit comfortably within a standard template.

Why work with me?

Independent advice

I am not affiliated with any wastewater system manufacturer, laboratory, remediation company or product supplier. Recommendations are based on the evidence, the site conditions and the needs of the project.

Direct access to the scientist

Clients work directly with me from the initial conversation and site inspection through to assessment, reporting and liaison with the project team.

Practical regulatory experience

My local-government and environmental-health background helps me anticipate the questions Council is likely to ask and prepare reports that address the relevant issues clearly.

Whole-site thinking

I look beyond an isolated test result or predetermined solution. I consider the site, building, proposed use, environmental setting and potential exposure pathways together.

Clear communication

Complex findings are translated into straightforward advice, realistic options and a clear path forward.

Site-specific solutions

Every property is different. My assessments are developed around the actual opportunities and constraints of the site—not copied from a standard report.

A different kind of environmental consultancy

Byron Environmental Consulting combines the technical rigour expected of a professional environmental consultancy with the accessibility and continuity of working directly with an experienced independent scientist.

The objective is not to produce the longest report or recommend the most complicated solution. It is to ask the right questions, interpret the evidence carefully and provide advice that is defensible, proportionate and useful.

What clients value

“Taisa is responsive, easy to work with and brings practical, outside-the-box thinking to complex sites.”

Beyond the work

I live in the Northern Rivers and understand the region as both a scientist and a local. Its rural properties, high rainfall, sensitive waterways, older buildings and diverse land uses create environmental challenges that often require careful, site-specific thinking.

Outside work, I’m usually surfing, renovating or spending time with my family. That connection to the region shapes my practical approach to protecting healthy homes, land and waterways.

Let’s discuss your project

If you need clear direction on a property, development or environmental health concern, contact me to discuss the site and determine the appropriate next step.

Contact Taisa on taisa@byronenvironmental.com.au