Connect locally with a Network of Passionate Individuals.
Birubi Beach at the northern end of the Stockton Sand Dunes is a popular tourist destination with a long history of use by the local Worimi people. But did you also know its history with the Army and Royal Australian Airforce (RAAF) for military training? In 1941, the target area was proclaimed as an air gunnery and bombing range; it was used for several decades until the early 1970s. Throughout this period, several targets were placed within the area and fired at, from both land and air. Over the years, this resulted in a large amount of Explosive Ordnance Waste (EOW) and Unexploded Ordnance UXO contamination.
Come and hear about the UXO Hazard Reduction Operation coordinated between Defence and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. A total of 1,633 items were removed from the site in collaboration with Defence’s Joint Explosive Operations Service. This included detonation of several 3”/60ld rocket warheads within the sand dunes that required a coordinated effort to ensure there was no impact to the public.
You’ll also hear updates from the Chair of ALGA’s UXO Special Interest Group.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Drew has over 22 years’ experience as an environmental engineer, and is currently based in GHD’s Newcastle office as a Technical Director, and is the Service Line Leader for Contamination Assessment and Remediation within the Australasia Pacific (APAC) region.
Drew has fulfilled the role as Project Manager and Project Director on several programs of work for Defence, and has been the Project Manager and is currently GHD’s Project Director for various environmental assessments on sites with hazards associated with unexploded ordnance (UXO) and explosive ordnance waste (EOW).
Drew has also provided Project Management and Contract Administration services for a number of projects relating to hazard reduction operations, and has been involved in stakeholder engagement activities associated with project delivery.
Sean has more than 25 years’ experience in the explosive ordnance (EO) profession.
He served in the military as an explosive ordnance disposal technician, specializing in countering the threat of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive (CBRNE) warfare.
He was previously employed as the CBRNE lead on a specialist program to introduce updated equipment to the Australian Defence Force, and is now GHD’s explosive ordnance management services technical director, leading the UXO and explosive infrastructure capability.
John Halmarick is the Managing Director at Milsearch, Australia’s International UXO Experts. John has successfully led Milsearch's operations since 2018. Prior to taking the helm at Milsearch John spent over twenty years in the international dredging industry.
John has an MBA from Simon Fraser University in Vancouver and a Bachelor of Applied Science from Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology.
Thank you to our Supporting Sponsor:
Merewether Golf Club
40 King St
Adamstown NSW 2289
ALGA Member $49.00
Non-member $99.00
Welcome Branch $30.00
Student $15.00
Up to 1 CPD point
