Events

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Local Government Contaminated Land Forum

Glasshouse - Port Macquarie

Thursday 5 December - Friday 6 December 2024

*OPEN TO EVERYONE* The Australasian Land & Groundwater Association (ALGA) is pleased to announce the “Local Government Contaminated Land Forum” in Port Macquarie, NSW. With 9 CPD Points to be earned, this two-day forum is specifically designed for Local Government Officers (Local and State Government, plus Regulators), but also everyone willing to increase the knowledge of contaminated land issues and legislation. Essential topics will be covered which impact all local government areas. There will be opportunities for professional development and strategies to improve contaminated land management. Attendees will have the chance to connect with industry experts and peers, gaining valuable insights and discuss specific challenges and solutions. Why you should attend? – Council’s have a major role in contaminated land management to protect their communities’ health and ensure safe and appropriate development within their local government area. – Designed for Local Government Officers to increase their knowledge of Contaminated Land issues and legislation. – Provides access and networking opportunities with peers and experts in the field of contaminated land. – Covers topics that concern all local government areas. – An opportunity for professional development. – An opportunity for improving contaminated land management in your LGA. – An opportunity to discuss your issues with experts and peers in the field of contamination.
Port Macquarie Beach

Program – 5 December 2024

8.15am – 9.00am:  Registration

9.00am – 9.05am: Acknowledgment to Country

9.05am – 9.10am: Welcome Address
Scott Carroll, President, ALGA

9.10am – 9.20am: LGNSW – Contaminated Land Network
Anna Lundmark, StellaNord Consulting

Session 1 – State Regulation and Compliance
Chair – Phillippa Biswell, Sutherland Shire Council

9.20am – 10.20am: Legacy Contaminants (e.g. UPSS and landfills)
Benn Treharne, Unit Head, NSW EPA
Disaster Recovery Programs (e.g. North Coast Program)
Stefan Press, Unit Head, NSW EPA
Q&A

10.20am – 10.40am: Risk management and assurances – From strategic to on-the-ground risks and Q&A
Dr Annalisa Contos, Atom Consulting

10.40am – 11.10am: Morning Tea Networking

Session 2 – Panel Session – Managing Contaminated Land – Navigating the planning legal minefield, when to engage a site auditor, when to involve the EPA etc
Chair – Anna Lundmark, StellaNord Consulting

11.10am – 12.30pm:

Ana Serra, Liverpool City Council

Philippa Biswell, Sutherland Shire Council

When to engage a Site Auditor & the role of the Site Auditor
Marc Salmon, Easterly Point Environmental – Site Auditor

Navigating the Legal Planning Minefield
Elizabeth Wild, Norton Rose Fulbright – Legal Representative

12.30pm – 1.30pm: Lunch Networking

Session 3 – Legacy Contamination Challenges: Landfills, Mines, Asbestos and Lead
Chair – Renelle Watson, Brisbane City Council 

1.30pm – 1.50pm: Managing Legacy Landfills
Ezio Di Giovanni, Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure

1.50pm – 2.10pm: Managing Asbestos
Ian Gregson, GHD

2.10pm – 2.30pm: Lessons Learnt from Disasters / Flood Clean-ups
Stefanie Stanley, Lismore City Council

2.30pm – 2.50pm: Contaminated Land Information Systems
Howard Waldron, Lotsearch

2.50pm – 3.00pm: Q&A
All Speakers Session 3

3.00pm – 3.30pm: Afternoon Tea Networking

Session 4 – Emerging Contaminants & Groundwater Management
Co-Chairs – Renelle Watson, Brisbane City Council & Ana Serra, Liverpool City Council

3.30pm – 3.50pm: Emerging Contaminants in the Environment
Dr Mike Williams, CSIRO

3.50pm – 4.10pm: Is PFAS Regulation keeping up with the State of knowledge?
Dr Matt Askeland, ADE Consulting Group Pty Ltd

4.10pm – 4.30pm: Groundwater Management
Bryan Threadingham, Insite Remediation Services

4.30pm – 4.45pm: Australasian Environmental Law Enforcement and Regulators Network (AELERT)
Gregory Abood, CEO, AELERT

4.45pm – 5.00pm: Q&A
All Speakers

5.00pm – 5.05pm: Day 1 Wrap up
Phillippa Biswell, Sutherland Shire Council Committee Chair

5.30pm – 7.30pm: Networking Drinks – Entertainment with Malik Traki Johnston

Program – 6 December 2024

9.00am – 9.05am: Welcome
Phillippa Biswell, Sutherland Shire Council, Committee Chair

Workshop Session 1 – Environmental Management Plans & More Tips and Tricks
Chair – Renelle Watson, Brisbane City Council

9.05am – 9.25am: Reviewing Technical Reports – Tips and Tricks
Speaker TBC

9.25am – 10.10am: Training Workshop: Environmental Management Plans – Consideration of their use in the ongoing management of private and public land
Phillippa Biswell, Sutherland Shire Council & Karinne Taylor, City of Sydney

10.10am – 10.40am: Morning Tea

Workshop Session 2 – Risk Assessment and Risk Communication
Chair – Ana Serra, Liverpool City Council

10.40am – 12.00pm: Training Workshop – Introduction to Risk Assessments
Dr Anand Chandra, Stantec
John Russell, Douglas Partners Pty Ltd

12.00pm – 12.10pm: Case Study – Treating PFAS – Impacted Water for Discharge to the Environment
Todd Placek, SciDev

12.10pm – 12.20pm: Case Study – Tamworth Gasworks – Site Investigation
Jason Clay, Senversa

12.20pm – 12.30pm: Case Study – Coastal Contamination – Fixing Past Mistakes at Lake Cathie
Ben Foster, Port Maquarie Hastings Council

12.30pm – 1.00pm: Keynote Presentation and Event Close
Arminda Ryan, Director of Incident Management and Environmental Health

1.00pm – 1.30pm: Closing Lunch

*Program is subject to change

Platinum Sponsor

ALS Limited logo

Exhibitors

Partners

Forum Fees: $220 (including Networking drinks)
Networking Drinks Only: $50

Keynote Speakers

Aminda Ryan

Arminda Ryan

Director of Incident Management and Environmental Health
NSW EPA

Arminda Ryan is a Director at the NSW EPA who is driven to protect and restore our environment and serve our community. She has over 25 years’ experience spanning advice; regulatory reform; operations; policy and program administration. Contaminated Land Management is her specialty.

Arminda led the NSW EPA’s former Contaminated Land Management Section before being asked to lead the EPA’s response to the 2019/20 Bushfires and COVID pandemic in 2020 where waste management was a key issue. Arminda now leads the EPA’s Incident Management and Environmental Health Branch and is responsible for planning, preparedness, response and recovery for major incidents and emergencies, including the responses to the 2021 and 2022 floods, and for delivering projects that improve environmental health.

Before joining the EPA Arminda worked in the private sector as a Senior Environmental Scientist and Project Manager, and for the Commonwealth Government in environmental management. She holds a Bachelor of Science from The University of Sydney, and a Master of Science and Technology (Environmental Science) from The University of New South Wales.

Thank you to our Committee

  • Phillippa Biswell, Chair, Sutherland Shire Council
  • Anna Lundmark, Joint Co-Chair, StellaNord Consulting
  • Malcolm Adrien, Joint Co-Chair, Senior Contaminated Land Officer, Maitland City Council
  • Ana Serra, Coordinator Asbestos and Remediation, Liverpool City Council
  • Renelle Watson, Senior Program Officer, Brisbane City Council

Ensure to arrange your accommodation in advance. Please see the options listed or through your preferred method. We recommend this as a priority, as there is a sporting event on the following weekend.

Rydges Port Macquarie – 1 Hay St, Port Macquarie, NSW
Ph: 02 6589 2888
20% off Best Available Rate Discount Code: ALGA2024
Select ‘I have a code’. Place the discount code under: ‘Block Code’.
 
Sails Port Macquarie by Rydges – 20 Park St, Port Macquarie, NSW
Ph: 02 6589 5100
20% off Best Available Rate Discount Code: ALGA2024
Select ‘I have a code’. Place the discount code under: ‘Block Code’.
 
Mercure Centro Port Macquarie – 103 William St, Port Macquarie, NSW
Ph: 02 9160 9440
10% off for direct bookings as ALGA Delegates
 
El Paso Port Macquarie – 29 Clarence St, Port Macquarie, NSW, 2444
Ph: 02 6583 1944
$199 Twin Share per night for direct bookings as ALGA Delegates
 
Mantra Quayside Port Macquarie – Cnr William St, Short St, Port Macquarie NSW 2444
Ph: 02 6588 4000
$255 per night for direct bookings as ALGA Delegates
 
Comfort Resort Waters Edge -1 Buller St, Port Macquarie NSW 2444
Ph: 02 6583 2955
Special Offer: “run of house” rate of $185 per night
 
Palm Court Motor Inn – 138 William St, Port Macquarie NSW 2444
Ph: 02 6583 5155
Special offer for guests that book directly as ALGA Delegates
 
East Port Motor Inn – 56 Burrawan St, Port Macquarie, NSW 2444
Ph: 02 6583 5850
 
Mantra the Observatory – 40 William St, Port Macquarie, NSW  2444
Ph: 02 6586 8000