Written by Dr Matthew Askeland (PhD (EnvEng), BAppSc (EnvSc)(Hons), Principal Environmental Scientist)
What has been the highlight of your Branch/SIG this year?
This year has been a productive and outward-facing period for the Emerging Contaminants SIG. A key milestone was the successful delivery of the PFAS Forum 2024 (I know, more than a year ago), which brought together regulators, researchers, industry practitioners, and technology providers to explore practical responses to PFAS challenges across Australia and the region. But also highlighted that PFAS, while important, are but one subclass of the many emerging contaminants that will challenge our industry into the future.
Our membership has actively contributed to national and international discourse through participation in conferences and technical panels across Australia, Europe, and North America. This diverse engagement has enriched our collective understanding of new technologies, policy shifts, and environmental management strategies for emerging contaminants.
We also coordinated a group response on the proposed NHMRC recreational water guidelines for PFAS, highlighting potential implications for site management, risk communication, and alignment with international standards.
As part of its contribution to ALGA membership, the SIG has coordinated a number of seminars and webinars across the country, fostering national engagement on key emerging contaminant issues. In addition, the SIG has delivered an insightful and engaging newsletter that provides a platform for sharing the latest scientific thinking and philosophy in the investigation and management of emerging contaminants.
What are you most excited about in the new financial year (1 July 2025 – 30 June 2026)
In the year ahead, we’re excited to foster stronger collaboration with our international counterparts, including those in the United States, Europe, and Asia-Pacific regions, to bring global perspectives and draw additional experience into our Australian context.
Our SIG will also contribute actively to ecoforum 2025, helping shape technical sessions and support knowledge exchange across government, academia, and industry.
We are pleased to be providing a coordinated review of recently released ITRC guidance documents, including updates on PFAS. These resources have proven highly valuable to industry, and the opportunity to contribute formal feedback reflects the strength and maturity of our technical community.
Internally, we’re refreshing our approach to how we collect, store, and share information and data across the membership. This includes improved capture of conference learnings, cross-SIG coordination, and curated knowledge briefs that translate complex developments into accessible summaries.
Finally, we are increasing our engagement with key Australian organisations such as CSIRO, EPAs, DCCEEW, and Water Authorities, to better align on issues where emerging contaminants intersect with contaminated land and groundwater policy, research, and infrastructure.
Dr. Matthew Askeland
PhD(EnvEng), BAppSc(EnvSc)(Hons)
Principal Environmental Scientist ADE Consulting Group