Dr. Sophie Wood is the Program Manager for the Contaminated Sites Assessment, Remediation and Management (CSARM) Short Courses at the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS). The CSARM course has been delivered over the past 15 years and has seen great success in upskilling the industry. In this episode, we focus on the Contaminated Site Management and Regulation Short Course (CSMR) which launched in 2024, focusing specifically on CLM for councils.

Sophie has had an extensive career in contaminated land and waste management consultancy, including 13 years as a partner at Environmental Resources Management (ERM) in Sydney. She was also a New South Wales EPA and Queensland accredited site auditor, and remains a certified environmental practitioner, site contamination specialist, under the EIANZ scheme.

Sophie holds a Bachelor's degree in Natural Sciences and Geology from the University of Cambridge and a PhD in Geochemistry from the University of Leeds. She has worked on many major contaminated site projects, including the Barangaroo site gasworks remediation, the remediation of the gasworks beneath the new Sydney Metro station at Central Station, and for Western Sydney Airport.

She was also the lead auditor for the first draft of the revision of the 2013 NEPM schedules B4 and B7, focusing on site specific risk assessment and health based investigation levels. She is passionate about high quality teaching and learning, helping professionals strengthen their expertise in contaminated land management through the CSARM and now the CSMR courses.

In this episode, Dr. Sophie Wood discusses how training programs tailored for council staff are filling critical knowledge gaps in contaminated land management. She explains the development of the UTS CSMR Short Course, which was created in direct response to local council demand.

Sophie shares insights into common knowledge gaps among council staff, particularly in determining whether consultant reports contain enough information to support decision-making. Many council officers struggle with understanding what is critical versus "nice to have" data, and targeted training helps them focus on the most relevant aspects.

Looking ahead, Sophie warns that climate change will pose major challenges, with risks like landfill erosion, contamination spread via floods, and industrial site closures. She stresses the need for councils to prepare for emerging contaminants and future risks.

-----

Are you a local NSW council member looking for more resources like this?

You are invited to join the Local Government NSW Contaminated Land Network!

Local Government NSW (LGNSW) hosts a free, online network for council staff on the topic of contaminated land. The network includes an online forum for collaboration, information sharing and announcements about contaminated land regulation, guidance and training opportunities. Monthly meetings are held on themes that were set by the network participants, with presentations from regulators, technical experts, and case studies by councils.

Since the contaminated land network commenced in December 2023, more than 50% of NSW councils have joined, with over 200 participants. Feedback shows that councils are benefitting greatly from the network meetings and discussion on the platform, and we are pleased to invite you to join us.

To join the network, please use this link: https://lgsa.wufoo.com/forms/w1rf0os910rxyl6/

The Contaminated Land Network forms part of a project called “Councils Managing Contaminated Land Together” funded by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (NSW EPA) to support capacity building and informed decision-making by those involved in contaminated land management in councils.

We hope to see you on the network soon!

Bridging the Knowledge Gap: Dr Sophie Wood on Developing Council Expertise in Contaminated Site Management

John Hunt is a renowned expert in contaminated land remediation and Senior Technical Adviser at Ventia. John has qualifications in geology and is Certified Site Contamination Specialist with more than 30 years’ experience in contaminated site assessment and remediation.

He started in the industry in 1992 with Groundwater Technology Australia as a contamination consultant. After 5 years with ADI Limited remediating former Defence munitions manufacturing sites, he joined Thiess Services (the precursor of Ventia’s remediation business) in 2000.

John has worked on many of Australia’s iconic remediation projects including the 2000 Olympics site, the Mortlake gasworks, the Rhodes Peninsula dioxin sites and Orica’s Botany Car Park remediation. Most recently he has become involved in PFAS remediation, a problem he had originally planned to leave to the next generation of practitioners to solve. He is a past president of ALGA and a long term member of the Sustainable Remediation Forum of Australia and New Zealand (SuRF ANZ), a specialist interest group of ALGA.

In this episode, John delves into the importance of problem definition in contaminated land management. He explains how diverse disciplines in geology, science, and engineering come together to tackle environmental challenges and emphasizes that miscommunication between these fields can lead to incorrect remediation approaches.

John discusses the evolution of sustainability in remediation, explaining how sustainable solutions are highly context-specific and depend on the environmental, social, and economic conditions of a site. He highlights the role of guidelines like ISO 18504 in providing a framework for sustainable remediation and encourages councils to integrate sustainability considerations early in project planning.

You will also gain insights from John's experiences on iconic Australian projects like the Sydney Olympics site and Rhodes Peninsula, where consultation with communities shaped effective and practical remediation strategies. He wraps up with advice for councils on staying up to date with emerging challenges, such as PFAS contamination and climate change impacts, and stresses the importance of forward-looking cost analysis in remediation planning.

-----

Are you a local NSW council member looking for more resources like this?

You are invited to join the Local Government NSW Contaminated Land Network!

Local Government NSW (LGNSW) hosts a free, online network for council staff on the topic of contaminated land. The network includes an online forum for collaboration, information sharing and announcements about contaminated land regulation, guidance and training opportunities. Monthly meetings are held on themes that were set by the network participants, with presentations from regulators, technical experts, and case studies by councils.

Since the contaminated land network commenced in December 2023, more than 50% of NSW councils have joined, with over 200 participants. Feedback shows that councils are benefitting greatly from the network meetings and discussion on the platform, and we are pleased to invite you to join us.

To join the network, please use this link: https://lgsa.wufoo.com/forms/w1rf0os910rxyl6/

The Contaminated Land Network forms part of a project called “Councils Managing Contaminated Land Together” funded by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (NSW EPA) to support capacity building and informed decision-making by those involved in contaminated land management in councils. The project also comprises a webpage with up-to-date information and links to resources, which can be accessed here [https://lgnsw.org.au/Public/Public/Policy/Contaminated-Land/Contaminated-Land-tabs.aspx].

We hope to see you on the network soon!

Defining the Problem: John Hunt on Sustainable Remediation

Howard Waldron is the co-founder of Lotsearch, a company that has pioneered the development of environmental information and insights, with a particular focus on potential contamination.

Since the company was founded in 2014, they have been a provider of environmental and planning reports in Australia, helping support environmental consultants when undertaking preliminary site investigations.

More recently, Lotsearch have been engaged to help produce contaminated land registers for a consortium of regional councils across NSW, and by state and federal government agencies to undertake research in identifying potential contamination sources as well as supporting their assessments.

In this episode, Shonelle and Howard discuss the impact contaminated land registers have had on the way local councils manage potential contamination risks. Howard shares how these registers provide councils with vital data to comply with Section 10.7 planning certificates, improving transparency in property transactions and helping prevent environmental and human health impacts.

Howard highlights the importance of streamlining data collection, improving the accuracy of site investigations, and reducing the risk of contamination being missed.

He also shares insights into Lotsearch’s evolution over the past decade and explores how AI and machine learning are enhancing the accuracy of contamination data -- and what the future holds for environmental data in local government decision-making.

To read the opinion piece written by Norton Rose Fulbright, ‘Real estate lawyers’ duties and responsibilities in relation to contaminated land’, click here [https://www.lotsearch.com.au/news].

-----

Are you a local NSW council member looking for more resources like this?

You are invited to join the Local Government NSW Contaminated Land Network!

Local Government NSW (LGNSW) hosts a free, online network for council staff on the topic of contaminated land. The network includes an online forum for collaboration, information sharing and announcements about contaminated land regulation, guidance and training opportunities. Monthly meetings are held on themes that were set by the network participants, with presentations from regulators, technical experts, and case studies by councils.

Since the contaminated land network commenced in December 2023, more than 50% of NSW councils have joined, with over 200 participants. Feedback shows that councils are benefitting greatly from the network meetings and discussion on the platform, and we are pleased to invite you to join us.

To join the network, please use this link: https://lgsa.wufoo.com/forms/w1rf0os910rxyl6/

The Contaminated Land Network forms part of a project called “Councils Managing Contaminated Land Together” funded by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (NSW EPA) to support capacity building and informed decision-making by those involved in contaminated land management in councils. The project also comprises a webpage with up-to-date information and links to resources, which can be accessed here [https://lgnsw.org.au/Public/Public/Policy/Contaminated-Land/Contaminated-Land-tabs.aspx].

We hope to see you on the network soon!

Navigating Contamination: The Power of Informed Preliminary Site Investigations with Howard Waldron

Jayden Pan is a Legacy Sites Project Officer at Hornsby Shire Council, part of the team responsible for the Foxglove Oval Remediation Project, a legacy landfill in Mount Colah, NSW. Jayden’s role involves managing the complex remediation of this site, utilizing his background in environmental consulting and landfill monitoring.

In this episode, Jayden discusses his journey from environmental consulting to working with legacy landfill sites at Hornsby Shire Council. He shares insights into the Foxglove Oval Remediation Project, detailing the challenges of managing methane gas emissions, leachate, and the environmental impact of old landfill sites.

You will learn about the key steps in remediating legacy landfills, the importance of community engagement, and how Hornsby Shire Council is working to innovate and apply modern solutions to manage contaminated land.

Jayden also highlights the unique complexities of balancing regulatory requirements with practical, site-specific challenges, and how empathy and clear communication are essential when working with affected communities.

-----

Are you a local NSW council member looking for more resources like this?

You are invited to join the Local Government NSW Contaminated Land Network!

Local Government NSW (LGNSW) hosts a free, online network for council staff on the topic of contaminated land. The network includes an online forum for collaboration, information sharing and announcements about contaminated land regulation, guidance and training opportunities. Monthly meetings are held on themes that were set by the network participants, with presentations from regulators, technical experts, and case studies by councils.

Since the contaminated land network commenced in December 2023, more than 50% of NSW councils have joined, with over 200 participants. Feedback shows that councils are benefitting greatly from the network meetings and discussion on the platform, and we are pleased to invite you to join us.

To join the network, please use this link: https://lgsa.wufoo.com/forms/w1rf0os910rxyl6/

The Contaminated Land Network forms part of a project called “Councils Managing Contaminated Land Together” funded by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (NSW EPA) to support capacity building and informed decision-making by those involved in contaminated land management in councils. The project also comprises a webpage with up-to-date information and links to resources, which can be accessed here [https://lgnsw.org.au/Public/Public/Policy/Contaminated-Land/Contaminated-Land-tabs.aspx].

We hope to see you on the network soon!

Legacy Landfill Remediation with Jayden Pan

Malcolm Adrien is an environmental scientist with 14 years’ experience in the environmental consulting and contaminated land sector. He managed several consultancies in the Newcastle region before he made the switch to local government in 2023 where he took on the newly created role at Maitland City Council as the Senior Contaminated Land Officer.

Malcolm has a strong background in contaminated site assessment, remediation, environmental monitoring and is also an EIANZ CEnvP for Site Contamination & SafeWork NSW Independent Licensed Asbestos Assessor.

In this episode, Malcolm Adrien shares his journey from environmental consulting to his current role in local government.

You will learn about the complexities of managing contaminated land within a local council's jurisdiction, including the challenges of dealing with historic landfills and unexpected contamination in development projects.

Malcolm discusses his work on the Anambah Landfill, offering insights into the remediation strategies being implemented to manage this site. He also touches on the importance of early intervention in contaminated land management and the value of having strong technical expertise within local councils.

For those interested in asbestos management, Malcolm explains the regulatory requirements in New South Wales and shares practical advice for handling asbestos in various scenarios. The episode wraps up with Malcolm's tips for young professionals aiming to build a career in the contaminated land sector.

-----

Are you a local NSW council member looking for more resources like this?

You are invited to join the Local Government NSW Contaminated Land Network!

Local Government NSW (LGNSW) hosts a free, online network for council staff on the topic of contaminated land. The network includes an online forum for collaboration, information sharing and announcements about contaminated land regulation, guidance and training opportunities. Monthly meetings are held on themes that were set by the network participants, with presentations from regulators, technical experts, and case studies by councils.

Since the contaminated land network commenced in December 2023, more than 50% of NSW councils have joined, with over 200 participants. Feedback shows that councils are benefitting greatly from the network meetings and discussion on the platform, and we are pleased to invite you to join us.

To join the network, please use this link: https://lgsa.wufoo.com/forms/w1rf0os910rxyl6/

The Contaminated Land Network forms part of a project called “Councils Managing Contaminated Land Together” funded by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (NSW EPA) to support capacity building and informed decision-making by those involved in contaminated land management in councils. The project also comprises a webpage with up-to-date information and links to resources, which can be accessed here [https://lgnsw.org.au/Public/Public/Policy/Contaminated-Land/Contaminated-Land-tabs.aspx].

We hope to see you on the network soon!

Asbestos, Legacy Landfills, and Council’s Role in Managing Contaminated Land with Malcolm Adrien

Bob Symons serves as the Regional Technical Manager for Eurofins Environment Testing Australia & Aotearoa New Zealand, where he oversees contaminants of emerging concern and contributes to the PFAS global peer group.

Holding a Ph.D. in Environmental Analytical Chemistry from La Trobe University and an undergraduate degree from Victoria University in Melbourne, Bob brings a wealth of academic expertise to his role. He has previously served as a member of the NATA (National Association of Testing Authorities, Australia) Life Sciences Accreditation Advisory Committee and currently acts as a Technical Assessor for ISO/IEC 17025 as well as a committee member of ALGA's special interest group on Emerging Contaminants.

Bob's research pursuits have primarily focused on the analysis of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), encompassing dioxins, dioxin-like PCBs, PBDEs, PPCPs, and PFAS, employing advanced mass spectrometric techniques. Notably, he has played a pivotal role in pioneering commercial microplastics analytical methodologies within Australia, underscoring his commitment to advancing environmental testing capabilities.

In this episode you’ll learn about emerging contaminants such as microplastics and PFAS. Shonelle and Bob also discuss rising concerns surrounding environmental waste from pharmaceuticals and personal care products, as well as the safe disposal of electronics, including smartphones, lithium-ion batteries, and electric vehicle batteries.

Bob shares his advice to those working in local council to ask lots of questions when working to manage contaminated land, and where needed to employ the help of laboratories like Eurofins Emerging Contaminants Laboratory or the Australian Laboratory for Emerging Contaminants at the University of Melbourne.

-----

Are you a local NSW council member looking for more resources like this?

You are invited to join the Local Government NSW Contaminated Land Network!

Local Government NSW (LGNSW) hosts a free, online network for council staff on the topic of contaminated land. The network includes an online forum for collaboration, information sharing and announcements about contaminated land regulation, guidance and training opportunities. Monthly meetings are held on themes that were set by the network participants, with presentations from regulators, technical experts, and case studies by councils.

Since the contaminated land network commenced in December 2023, more than 50% of NSW councils have joined, with over 200 participants. Feedback shows that councils are benefitting greatly from the network meetings and discussion on the platform, and we are pleased to invite you to join us.

To join the network, please use this link: https://lgsa.wufoo.com/forms/w1rf0os910rxyl6/

The contaminated land network forms part of a project called “Councils Managing Contaminated Land Together” funded by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (NSW EPA) to support capacity building and informed decision-making by those involved in contaminated land management in councils.

We hope to see you on the network soon!

Emerging Contaminants, Microplastics, and PFAS with Dr Bob Symons

Today on Beyond The Green Line, Shonelle Gleeson-Willey talks with Osprey Orielle Lake.

Founder and executive director of the Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN), Osprey works internationally with grassroots, BIPOC and Indigenous leaders, policymakers, and diverse coalitions to build climate justice, resilient communities, and a just transition to a decentralized, democratized clean-energy future.

She sits on the executive committee for the Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature and on the steering committee for the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty. Osprey’s writing about climate justice, relationships with nature, women in leadership, and other topics has been featured in The Guardian, Earth Island Journal, The Ecologist, Ms. Magazine and many other publications.

In this episode Osprey shares her experience in advocating for change alongside diverse communities. She discusses some of the root causes of the climate crisis, and why we need to seek systemic change in order to see a real difference.

You’ll hear about the pivotal role women play in decreasing carbon emissions and bringing about lasting change, as well as the importance of indigenous rights and how earth centred cultures may hold the key to healing ecosystems and living harmoniously with the land.

Learn more about Osprey and read her latest book ‘The Story Is In Our Bones: How Worldviews And Climate Justice Can Remake A World In Crisis’ at https://ospreyoriellelake.earth/

The Knowledge of Earth-Centered Cultures, the Key to Tackling Climate Change

In this episode, Shonelle chats with two special guests, Dr Danielle Toase and Dr Lange Jorstad.

Danielle Toase is an Environmental Manager, with a BSc in environmental science and PhD in environmental geochemistry. She has over 10 years experience across the fields of environmental research, regulation, remediation contracting, consulting and corporate environmental management.

Danielle has worked at multiple complex PFAS contamination since 2016, particularly at aviation sites or sites where multiple sources of PFAS exist. Her interests surround PFAS fingerprinting, source delineation, remediation technologies and the circular economy. Danielle is also an active member of ALGA, having recently been appointed to the Board of Directors and is an honorary research associate at Macquarie University.

Lange Jorstad is a Principal Hydrogeologist at Geosyntec Consultants, with a BSc in geological sciences from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a PhD in contaminant hydrogeology from UNSW. He has over 20 years’ experience as a consulting hydrogeologist, specialising in contaminant fate and transport and environmental geochemistry.

Lange is a NSW EPA accredited Site Auditor and Certified Environmental Practitioner – Site Contamination Specialist, is an active member of the ALGA groundwater fate and transport special interest group, and provides university lectures on groundwater, contamination and sustainable remediation. He has provided consulting and auditing services for PFAS-contaminated properties for government and industry clients since 2015, including local development sites, fuel terminals, landfills, and airports.

You’ll hear how they got started in their respective fields, including Danielle’s PhD studies in Antarctica focused on chemical fixation of heavy metals in legacy landfills using orthophosphate and silica reagents.

Lange shares advice for local councils investigating landfills as a contamination source, and the evolution of groundwater remediation from pump and treat to in situ technologies, and Danielle discusses the purpose of PFAS fingerprinting and why it’s important especially in complex hydrogeology and sites with multiple potential sources of PFAS.

Groundwater Contamination with Dr Danielle Toase and Dr Lange Jorstad 

On today’s episode of Beyond the Green Line, Shonelle Gleeson-Willey talks with Trent Romer, author of the books ‘This is Our Home: A Sustainability Story to Help You Start Your Own Eco-Friendly Journey’ and ‘Finding Sustainability: The Personal and Professional Journey of a Plastic Bag Manufacturer’.

Trent is a 3rd generation co-owner of his family’s business Clear View Bag Co., Inc founded in 1961 by his grandfather.

In this episode he talks about what inspired him to turn to more sustainable options. Trent knew the changes he made needed to be good for the business and good for the planet. 

He shares the changes his company made, such as reducing waste, hosting educational events for employees, and implementing the company vision of ‘Healthy Planet. Healthy People. Healthy Company’.

Trent offers a number of ways consumers can make a real impact, and reminds businesses to keep in mind the cost of inaction.

Trent’s latest book ‘This Is Our Home: A Sustainability Story to Help You Start Your Own Eco-Friendly Journey’ is written for people who want to move in a sustainable direction, but feel overwhelmed, wondering 'How do I begin my journey and what do I do after I start?'.

Progress is better than perfection, and Trent hopes to inspire those he reaches that we can each make choices, no matter how small, that move us in the right direction.

Learn more about Trent’s work and buy his books:

https://trentromer.com/

From Plastic Bags to Sustainable Packaging: Lessons Learned From Business Owner and Author Trent Romer

In this special episode of Beyond The Green Line, Shonelle Gleeson-Willey is delighted to announce that Moss Environmental has merged with OzEnvironmental Pty Ltd, a like-minded boutique rural consultancy.

OzEnvironmental, under the direction of Adjunct Professor Warwick Giblin, has operated since 2011 in the discipline of environmental and social impact management. It has built a formidable reputation acting for rural councils and landholders on energy and mining projects across Australia, including NSW, Queensland, Tasmania and the Northern Territory.

With this merger, Moss Environmental propels itself into new dimensions of service excellence. Our environment and heritage service offerings are expanding, and our capabilities in the realm of environmental impact assessment, including community impact and stakeholder engagement, are taking a giant leap forward.

___

Becoming aware of a large project in the approvals process in their area can lead to much uncertainty and distress. A local council may become aware of a proposed development through the planning portal or from the developer themselves.

The vast majority of current renewable energy projects, for example, will be determined at a state level because they fall into the category of state significant development or Critical State Significant Infrastructure. That's why it's so important that council understands their role in the approval process and makes their voice heard through well researched submissions and negotiations during the development of the voluntary planning agreement.

Landowners can become aware of pending development plans through a variety of different avenues, including a letter that's been posted, a social media post, or a knock on the door.

Often, people will experience physical and mental wellness challenges because of resulting worry. They begin to wonder what will happen to their piece of paradise, whether they will receive compensation, and how they will retain a voice in the daunting power dynamic of dealing with developers.

Warwick encourages people in this situation to rally community, build a support network, and utilize professional advice from an environmental practitioner who is familiar with the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act and the assessment and determination process.

In this episode you’ll hear Shonelle and Warwick share stories about their mutual desire to see communication between developers and affected communities be more balanced. Too often, meetings seem to involve developers telling communities how the process will go, and Warwick believes a change in this dynamic will only happen when developers are truly convinced that it’s in their best interests to take the voices of the community into account, even in the early planning stages.

If you're interested to know more about the expanded services now offered by Moss Environmental, please visit our website at www.mossenviro.com.au [http://www.mossenviro.com.au/]

Helping Communities Maintain a Voice During the Renewable Energy Boom with Warwick Giblin

The only podcast hooking you up for a virtual coffee date with some of the leading change-makers, industry experts and everyday activists in environmental sciences. Hosted by Shonelle Gleeson-Willey and her team of earth-advocates at Moss Environmental, we crack down on big topics like sustainability and conservation and break them into bite-sized chunks of inspiration and actionable steps that you can use to unleash the eco-warrior inside you. So invite your friends, pull up a chair, and get ready for inspiration, ideas, insights, and real-life stories beyond the green line we balance along.

Beyond The Green Line

Contamination Station: Safer Environment Together is an EPA initiative to gather learnings from the management of contaminated land at the local level. Whether you're working in the field of contaminated land, or simply interested in protecting the environment, you'll find this podcast to be a wealth of information and resources to help us all come together to create a safer environment together.

Hosted by Shonelle Gleeson-Willey,  environment and sustainability expert, educator, speaker and CEO of Moss Environmental. You'll hear from experts across a kaleidoscope of backgrounds, experience and knowledge in the field of contaminated land.

So put your headphones in, grab a cup of coffee, and tune in for some insightful stories.



Moss Environmental

Shows