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Christchurch Branch Event – The Role of Bioavailability in Risk Assessment

Bioavailability is becoming an increasingly important concept in contaminated land and environmental risk assessment. Rather than assuming that all contaminants present in soil or groundwater are equally available to receptors, bioavailability considers the fraction that can actually be absorbed by humans, plants, or ecological systems. This shift in thinking can significantly influence how risks are assessed, managed, and communicated.

At this Christchurch Branch event, speakers will explore why bioavailability matters, where it should be considered, and how it can be applied in practice. Attendees will hear perspectives from practitioners who have been working on incorporating bioavailability into site assessments, including how it can affect remediation decisions and change the way we interpret data against guideline values.

This is a new and evolving area for New Zealand practice. While not yet embedded in regulation, bioavailability connects directly with the principles of the NES–CS and MfE Contaminated Land Management Guidelines, particularly in relation to risk assessment tiers 2 and 3.
Join us to learn how this concept can be applied in your work, gain insight into current case studies, and connect with peers across the industry.

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Your ticket includes a complimentary drink and a selection of appetizers. Please note that this is not a formal dinner event.

BYO! To minimise our use of plastic, we encourage delegates to bring their own reusable water bottles and coffee cups.

Please arrive on time to secure access to the venue.

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Speakers

RowanFreeman

Rowan Freeman

Technical Director – Contaminated Land
Pattle Delamore Partners Limited

Rowan is a contaminated land specialist (CEnvP SC) with over 21 years of experience and a Technical Director – Contaminated Land at Pattle Delamore Partners Ltd in Christchurch.

His career began in the United States in 2004 as an environmental geologist undertaking soil, groundwater, and geotechnical investigations, in tandem with site remediation and groundwater quality compliance monitoring for a mix of superfund, brownfield, power generation, transport depot, and industrial/manufacturing sites.

Having moved to Aotearoa 16 years ago, he worked for 10 years as a contaminated land regulator at Environment Canterbury. Rowan has been employed at PDP for nearly five years (via a 12 month stint at Golder) and currently supports clients with end-to-end contaminated land services with specific focus currently directed to landfill closure and remediation.

Fran Hobkirk

Fran Hobkirk

Senior Environmental Scientist
Momentum Environmental

Fran Hobkirk is a Senior Environmental Scientist at Momentum Environmental Ltd, a company specialising in contaminated land consulting. Fran has 8 years’ experience working in contaminated land consulting and has been involved in over 370 projects, across all stages of investigations.

Prior to working in the contaminated land field, Fran had a career within the IT industry which has given her data analysis skills that are vital in bioavailability assessments. Fran has completed arsenic bioavailability assessments at six sites, mainly located within the Halswell area of Christchurch.

Thank you to our Venue Partner:

Event Details

Start Date: October 1, 2025

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