Risk Assessment Symposium
Adelaide
22 June 2023
The Australasian Land and Groundwater Association (ALGA) is holding a one day symposium to bring together risk assessment practitioners and all other disciplines where understanding risk is pivotal to robust decision-making. Topics will include the latest development in human and ecological health risk assessment science, putting risk assessment into practice in due diligence, land transactions and planning, and what advances in data analytics mean for risk assessment.
Call for abstracts is now open
If you have relevant papers for this event under one or more of these topics below, we invite you to contribute to the success of the conference by submitting your abstract before 3 April, 2023.
1a: The Role of Risk Assessment in Land transaction/Due diligence
1b: The Role of Risk Assessment in Planning and Development
Risk assessment plays an important role in land transaction, planning and development. One critical area of the risk assessment process is dealing with uncertainty. Topics for this session could include:
- Structuring risk assessment to address future uncertainty, around, for example such newly emerging contaminants, unexpected finds, regulatory time frames and the extent of obligations for site management In the future
- Building a robust interface between the site owner or developer, the risk assessment team and third parties, such as vapour management system designers.
- External factors that influence the design of a risk assessment: for example evolving development plans and zoning changes
2- Risk communication - examples / case studies
Risk communication for contaminated land and groundwater is a critical requirement in the effective management of risk and success of social engagement. It is a discipline distinct from general science communication. This session present case studies of risk communication, with example topics such as:
- The role of risk assessment in the development of food consumption advisories.
- Communicating the difference between negligible and significant risks.
- Explaining risk profiles associated with groundwater contaminants.
- Training effective risk communicators.
3 - New methodologies / approaches to risk assessment - ecological risk assessment / human health risk assessment
The methods available to risk assessors are ever evolving, as are the range of hazards and risk scenarios. This session will cover off new advances in human and ecological health risk assessment approaches, with example topics such as:
- Assessing risks from variable or intermittent exposures.
- New methodologies and science in progressing risk assessment.
- Approaches for emerging or data poor contaminants. • Assessing cumulative risk through multiple pathways or from mixtures.
- New risk scenarios or variables such as circularity or climate change.
4 - Advances in data analytics for risk assessment
As data analytics tools developed there is increasing opportunity for their application in the different stages of risk assessment and communication. This session explores some of the new approaches in risk assessment building from the rapid developments in data analytics. Example topics for this session include:
- Novel approaches for visualisation of risk assessment outcomes.
- Developing best practice for data analytics in risk assessment.
- Using ‘big data’ in risk assessments.
- Building data analyst/scientist capability in land and groundwater risk assessment.
5 - Panel Session - Decision making - Regulatory focus / Industry Focus
Risk management and decision-making is underpinned by a robust risk assessment process. This panel session will bring together regulatory and industry decision makers to discuss the use and misuse of risk assessment. Potential abstracts could cover:
- Case studies of decision-making driven by risk assessment, or where there has been notable uncertainty to deal with.
- Identifying and addressing capability gaps in industrial/regulatory risk assessment.
- Costs of not managing risks.
- How to drive sector leadership in risk assessments?
Why you should join this event
Risk assessment in engrained through contaminated land and groundwater management and it benefits most roles to have a good understanding of the methods and science. Additionally, the tools are ever evolving as they deal with emerging risks, streamline approaches and refine exposure pathways, even experienced practitioners benefit from staying current with the latest development.
You will learn:
- Latest developments in risk assessment science and methodology
- How advances in data analytics impacts risk assessment
- Risk assessment put into practice for industry and regulatory decision-making
- How risk assessment can be key in planning and development.
- Interface of risk assessment and risk communication
Thank you to our Committee
Andrew Pearson, Senior Environmental Consultant, Tonkin + Taylor – Chair
Carolyn Brumley, Technical Director, Arcadis
Jen Martin, Environmental Restoration - Technical Director, Arcadis Australia Pacific
Kate Hughes, Director, Ecology Data Bank Services
Katie Richardson, National Risk Assessment Practice Leader, Senversa
Naomi Cooper, Senior Associate Ecotoxicologist, WSP – Co-Chair
Scott Carroll, Remediation Manager, Liberty Industrial
Risk Symposium rate
Member $440
Non Member $880
Student Member $220
All pricing includes GST and are listed in Australian dollars. Credit Card and EFT options for payment are both accepted.
