The majority of Australian states and territories have developed legislation, regulations and guidelines for the management of contaminated sites in accordance with the Commonwealth framework. This includes a requirement to undertake environmental audits on certain projects to meet the standards of the regulator (e.g. EPA) or council. The environmental audit system for contaminated land provides a mechanism for assuring planning and responsible authorities (eg. local councils), landholders and other stakeholders, that a potentially contaminated site is suitable for use. This is particularly relevant when a development occurs or if a change in land use is proposed. Although each jurisdiction follows a different system, the same principals of ‘protecting human health and the environment’ apply to all. AEA’s team of experienced auditors and technical experts are able to provide auditing services in all states and territories in Australia.
We are excited to welcome back Judi Walters to our team! Judi worked with us a few years ago as Admin Manager and has returned as Audit Officer. Judi has a strong background in technical report reviews from both a scientific and professional writing perspective, with 18+ years of experience providing support to research staff, executives and other team members. She is a huge asset to our team. Judi will support projects across the country and work closely with our auditors and other technical employees with preparing accurate and timely reports to the highest quality. We are excited to have her join our team again.
Webinar: Your role in protecting the environment 26 May 2021 | 10:30 am – 11:30 am The session will cover: • key environmental obligations for business and industry • general environmental duty (GED) • how to identify and manage your environmental risk • where to find more information. More info and to register Webinar: What you need to know about waste 8 June 2021 | 11:00 am – 12:30 pm This session will cover: • how EPA regulates waste • requirements for businesses that generate, transport of receive waste • how to classify waste, and the new Waste Tracker system • permissions for waste receivers. More info and to register Also, check out EPA’s responses to their FAQs from the last webinar.
After many years of reviews, workshops and stakeholder engagement, consideration of site contamination has finally been formally embedded into the new planning system. South Australia’s new Planning and Design Code came into effect recently in metropolitan areas of SA (as of 19 March 2021). This is the 3rd and final phase of state-wide changes to the planning system introduced via the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016 (PDI Act). The new legislative framework will result in referrals to the EPA for development applications involving a change of land use to a more sensitive use where certain classes of potentially contaminating activities previously existed on the site. The purpose of the reforms are to: Safeguard community health by providing a consistent State-wide planning approach to site contamination assessment Specify site contamination assessment steps that must be taken when a change to a more sensitive land use is proposed (including an application for land division) Ensure that site contamination investigations are consistent with the risk-based National Environment Protection (Assessment of Site Contamination) Measure 1999, and Ensure that land is suitable, or will be made suitable, for its intended use where a more sensitive land use is proposed. Benefits of the new system include: ensuring the health of the community is more effectively protected by ensuring that site contamination is adequately investigated according to the level of risk protecting the value of residential properties from the adverse impacts of retrospective identification of site contamination, and providing clarity and certainty to developers about when site contamination will be assessed, what DA information is required to be submitted, when an EPA referral is required and limiting the circumstances that a site contamination audit is required to higher risk proposals. One of AEA’s SA EPA site contamination auditors, Jean-Paul Pearce, sits on the advisory panel and can help developers, planners, councils, contractors and anyone else involved in the property development industry to explain the process, provide advice and answer any questions. Furthermore, EPA will deliver online and face-to-face training during April 2021. Links below for more information and further reading… Practice Direction 14: Site Contamination Assessment 2021 PlanSA Resources Site Contamination Assessment fact sheet
Yes, you’ve heard correctly. The rumours are true. Nick Simmons has joined the AEA team. We kick off 2021 with the exciting announcement that Nick is AEA’s newest Principal Technical Specialist (Landfills). He has come over from EPA Victoria to become a valuable expert for our clients. He complements our landfill team and expands our existing capability. Nick brings over 16 years of experience and extensive knowledge encompassing all elements of landfill sites, including applied environmental science & risk assessment related to landfill siting, landfill operations, landfill gas, leachate, landfill aftercare and developing land around landfills (incl. buffer zones). Coming from a regulatory background, Nick authored and contributed to all of EPA Victoria’s landfill guidance documents. He has provided high-level technical advice and scientific reviews to peak industry bodies, government agencies, environmental auditors and international partners. His insight and expertise is a valuable asset that we encourage anyone to tap into. He will undoubtedly add value to your landfill-related projects and serve as a technical specialist in expert witness cases. You can get in touch with Nick on 0423 340 732.
It is with great honour and tribute that we announce the resignation (and impending retirement) of one of Victoria’s most respected and experienced auditors, Richard Wolfe. Richard was one of the original auditors to be independently appointed by EPA Victoria in the early 1990s. He has maintained his appointment and dedication to protecting human health and the environment for over 25 years! During his stellar career, Richard has overseen some of Australia’s largest developments and contamination clean-ups with involvement in more than 100 statutory and non-statutory audits, and has just about ‘seen it all’. He has served as Technical Advisor for Defence sites across Australia and undertaken significant study tours in the US and Netherlands to assess emerging technologies. He has contributed to positive legislation changes and reviewed various interpretations of the audit guidelines. Richard was seen as one of the “tough” auditors. Instead of resolving things to 80% he goes the whole way with his pedantic “get it right or get it right” attention to detail. Through Richard’s knowledge, experience and being an all-round good person, he has earned profound respect from his peers and from clients (through saving them money and reducing stress), and EPA has held him in high esteem. Whilst the industry has lost a legend, Richard has offered his continued wealth of environmental wisdom to our AEA team as a mentor. Richard, congratulations on a successful and impressionable career. We wish you the best in your future retirement years. (Richard Wolfe pictured third from the left)
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Our independent, regulatory-appointed environmental auditors offer diversity across the country. Potential or known contaminated sites, operational or closed landfill sites, expert witness, high-end mining rehabilitation advice or experienced technical project insights. Get in touch with us today to have a chat or ask for advice about your current or upcoming projects.