Huge congratulations to Tanya, Caine and big sister Sally on the much-anticipated safe arrival of baby Jack on 25th October. Sally looks as though she has things under control! We hope you’re enjoying life as a family of four and can’t wait to meet the little guy!
EPA SA has recently released a new regulatory framework on site contamination. It is our duty at AEA to inform those that may be effected by these new guidelines and answer any questions that you may have. Below is a summary on the new SA Site Contamination Guidelines. Purpose of the Framework Outlines the EPA’s decision-making framework for regulating and processing contaminated sites. Sections that may be relevant to you Section 3: EPA Assessment and Remediation Goals Outlines assessment / remediation goals required by the EPA Section 6: Determination of Persons Liable for Site Contamination Framework enabling the EPA to determine if a liable person/s exist or if the site falls into the EPA management of orphaned sites Section 7: Regulatory Priority Outlines the EPA process for prioritising contaminated sites. Regulatory approach, assessment and remediation timeframes are driven by the EPA’s determination of priority. A risk banding is provided in Appendix 3 for a range of the potential contaminating activities undertaken. A high risk site may require a voluntary proposal subject to the potential risk to human health and the environment, as assessed by the EPA. The regulatory approach for lower priority sites is a non-statutory agreement. Section 8: Regulatory Response Outlines the potential actions and timeframes for different regulatory priorities. For example, a service station with petroleum hydrocarbons in groundwater could be classified as Level 1 Regulatory Priority with an assessment timeframe of 6 months or less and a remediation timeframe of 8 months or less, as per Table 4 Section 8. Section 9: Triggers for a Site Contamination Audit Refers to the triggers for audits within the Guidelines for the Site Contamination Audit System. These triggers include where contamination migrates offsite and presents a potential risk to the environment or sensitive land uses (i.e. hydrocarbon plume migrating beneath houses) and when developing a potentially contaminated site into sensitive land. Section 16: Cessation of Regulatory Involvement The regulatory end point is reached when it is demonstrated that the contamination does not pose a current risk to human health and the environment, unless new information is received to the contrary. This end point can be reached through the assessment and remediation process for a non-sensitive land use site or through the audit process. Key Points to Consider EPA expects assessment reports to characterise the site, determine contaminants of potential concern, determine the nature and extent of site contamination, and identify and assess potential risks to human health and the environment. Based on an initial limited review, if the EPA determines that a report has significant flaws (i.e. the above information is not addressed), the EPA will undertake a detailed review. EPA use a risk based approach, taking into account PCA risk ranking and exposure pathways and receptors to determine priority sites.
AEA hosted, yet again, another successful Superbowl party in Melbourne this week. It would have to be one of the best games in Superbowl history. Falcons were leading for majority of the game but the Patriots made a thrilling comeback pushing the final into overtime (the first in 51 years!) with the Patriots bringing home the win. Fans of NFL or not, AEA put on a great day with staff, clients, friends, suppliers and even some locals. The event was held at the Dick Whittington Tavern, where our guests enjoyed delicious American style food and beer, great company and a great atmosphere. The whole team at AEA hopes that guests had a great time in a post Christmas and New Years celebration and thanks everyone for their support in 2016. We look forward to working with you once again this year.
What A Game! As Super Bowl 50 comes to an end, so does AEA’s 4th Super Bowl Party. An annual event that is enjoyed by staff, the EP risk crew, service providers, clients, friends and some actual gridiron fans. While many who attended had very little knowledge of the Super Bowl, AEA director, Charlie, who is possibly Australia’s biggest NFL fan, was eager to explain the rules. The event was held at the Dick Whittington Tavern, where our guests enjoyed delicious American style food and beer, great company and a great atmosphere. The game started off well for the Broncos who quickly took the lead and never relinquished it. For those who never really got into the game, the joyous half-time show by Beyoncé, Coldplay and Bruno Mars definitely lightened the mood and many found themselves unavoidably bopping to the beat. As the 4th quarter began the tension grew higher and the Panther fans in the room began rooting for a dramatic comeback. The Panthers stayed within one score until the final minutes of the game, before falling to the Bronco’s 24-10. The game was a true testament that “Defence Wins Championships”. The whole team at AEA hopes that guests had a great time in a post Christmas and New Years celebration and thanks everyone for their support last year. We look forward to working with you once again this year.
AEA is excited to announce that our New South Wales office has moved. Come and visit us at our new address,135 Windermere Road, Lochinvar 2321 or you can reach the NSW office at the new number, 02 4930 7960.
AEA is pleased to welcome Kevin Masterton onboard! Kevin is a senior environmental engineer with over fourteen years’ experience as an environmental consultant and is based in the Melbourne office. Click here to learn more about Kevin.
Monday mornings are gloomy for most, but not for those who attended AEA’s 3rd annual Super Bowl Party yesterday! Close to 40 people were in attendance to watch the nail-biting game between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots. After a fortnight of media turmoil, the Patriots beat the Seahawks 28-24, the controversial victory leading AEA director, Charlie, to declare the game “one for the ages”. For the uninitiated, AEA’s sport fans were on hand to explain the rules of the game, prompting some to believe the NFL is their true calling… Held at St Kilda’s The Dick Whittington Tavern, guests enjoyed an Aussie twist on American food, and of course American beer. The party was held thanks to staff, clients, contractors, regulators and friends for their support during 2014. We hope you all had a great Christmas and New Year and are looking forward to working with you this year!
AEA staff have enjoyed an exciting weekend in the Hunter Valley! Staff from all across the country flew into the wine region late Friday afternoon to assist our resident winemaker, Phil Hitchcock, with the latest batch of his delicious cabernet sauvignon. After a wonderful dinner in Maitland on Friday evening, AEA staff were up bright and early on Saturday for a busy morning of bottling and labelling. Things we learnt throughout this process: Corking is actually quite difficult and conducive to shirt-ripping Boiling hot wax really does hurt when it comes into contact with bare skin It is of utmost importance to taste-test the product 😉 Naturally after all of our hard work, we couldn’t resist visiting a couple of vineyards! Special thanks to Phil, Julie and Scarlett for organising a fun and comfortable stay. A great weekend was had by all!