Written by Julie Palich (Principal Geoscientist, Geocontam Risk Management) and Shandel Coleman (Director and Contaminated Site Auditor, Luna Environmental)
What has been the highlight of your Branch/SIG this year?
FY25 saw the Perth Branch of the ALGA bring in several new committee members and new committee chairs. Combining the experience of the previous committee with new ideas brought in by the new members, our highlight for the year is how the new committee has excelled in delivering a range of diverse and impactful presentations to its members that has supported the diversification of our member attendance.
Our branch events have explored a wide range of aspects from engagement with traditional owners, waste management and reuse, legal challenges, to emerging remediation technologies which can contribute to the success of the management and remediation of contaminated sites. These presentations have enriched members’ understanding and fostered collaboration in tackling environmental challenges.
Capping off the year with our annual DWER update, which drew a record attendance of 80 practitioners, our members will enter FY26 with a broader understanding of the emerging issues that will shape our industry going forward.
What are you most excited about in the new financial year (1 July 2025 – 30 June 2026)
In FY26 the Perth Branch is excited to continue delivering the diverse range of events covering emerging issues to our members that we delivered in FY25, however forefront in our plans is achieving increased engagement with the emerging professionals in our industry. We are endeavouring to increase our engagement with Western Australian universities to help inform new graduates on what a career in contaminated sites can offer. To this end, we are planning a student night in August and will again be sponsoring the biannual Paul Turner Award which allows students to showcase a contaminated sites related investigation they have undertaken during the course of their studies and in turn interact with our members.
The Perth branch is also eager to collaborate with others to deliver meaningful industry events. Partnering with other industry groups—whether as co-hosts, contributors, or panel participants—allows us to combine expertise, showcase diverse perspectives, and create more engaging, relevant content for the contaminated sites community. We believe this collaborative approach will continue to strengthen the WA industry.
Julie Palich – Principal Geoscientist, Geocontam Risk Management
Shandel Coleman – Director and Contaminated Site Auditor, Luna Environmental