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Matthew Currell is a Professor in the School of Engineering and Built Environment at Griffith University, where he is the head of Civil and Environmental Engineering. He is also affiliated with the Australian Rivers Institute and adjunct professor at RMIT University, where he previously coordinated the environmental engineering program for many years.

Prof. Currell teaches hydrogeology, geochemistry and environmental engineering courses to civil and environmental engineering students and supervises PhD and masters’ projects in applied groundwater research, across a broad range of topics. His major research interests include using environmental tracers and other novel techniques to understand groundwater flows, sources of contamination, and impacts of water and resource extraction on connected springs and surface ecosystems. He works collaboratively with a range of industry, government and non-government partners to find ways to enhance the quality, value and benefits deriving from groundwater.

Dr. Dawit Bekele brings over two decades of experience as an environmental researcher and consultant specialising in contaminated land. He has extensive expertise in conducting contaminated land assessments and managing remediation projects across Australia. His specialist knowledge includes the modelling of fate and transport of contaminants in the subsurface, and environmental and human health risk assessment. With a multidisciplinary background in engineering, hydrogeology, and environmental sciences, Dawit provides scientifically grounded and pragmatic

solutions that meet the needs of all stakeholders. He is a Certified Environmental Practitioner: Site Contamination Specialist (CEnvP SC) with the Environment Institute ANZ and a Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) with Engineers Australia.

Renelle has 25+ years’ experience as an Environmental Scientist with an Honours in Environmental Chemistry whose career spans government (NSW EPA & BCC), consultancy and not-for-profit working in Australasia, Middle East & Africa. Renelle is also a qualified high school teacher (science, chemistry and junior mathematics); and scuba diver. Renelle has spent her career utilizing her curiosity and problem-solving skills to assess and minimise the impacts of contaminants, emissions and pollution in the environment.

Renelle’s contamination assessment experience is gained from 100+ sites in roles ranging from Field Scientist to Project Director; with significant experience defining, analysing, and evaluating legislative and problem / project requirements.

Renelle is a member of ALGA, Brisbane Branch Committee Co-Chair, Local Government Specialist Interest Group Committee Member, and Ecoforum Brisbane 2025 Conference Committee Chair. Renelle is also an Associate Member of ACLCA Qld, and the Queensland Environmental Law Association (QELA).

Clifford Duckworth is a General Manager for McMahon Services, acting as Regional Manager for QLD and General Manager Water Treatment and Groundwater Remediation. Studying Environmental Engineering at RMIT University and focussing on Chemical Engineering. He is a Chartered Engineer with Engineers Australia (CPEng) and Registered Professional Engineer of QLD (RPEQ).

His career has been focussed on the delivery of complex remediation projects working across many sectors in oil and gas, former gasworks projects, Defence, landfills, mining and private sectors. Working as a contractor Clifford has overseen the design, installation, commissioning and operations of a wide range of high-profile water treatment projects; as well as the successful grant and commercialisation of water treatment patents in the United States.