Ana Serra is an Environmental Engineer with over 20 years of experience across multiple countries and states, including Portugal, Ireland, Angola, Western Australia, and New South Wales. Ana is a Certified Environmental Practitioner and a Licensed Asbestos Assessor, and is currently the Coordinator of Asbestos and Remediation at Liverpool City Council, NSW.

Over the past 15+ years, her career has centred on asbestos and soil contamination management. Ana’s interest in stakeholder engagement began in her role at Council, where she strives to foster positive collaboration between environmental disciplines and key stakeholders. She is committed to enhancing awareness and dialogue among regulators, the community, local government, consultants, and contractors to deliver meaningful outcomes for the public.

This episode explores the complex challenges local councils face in managing asbestos and soil contamination. Drawing from her diverse international career and current role as Coordinator of Asbestos and Remediation at Liverpool City Council, Ana shares insights on risk-based approaches, internal capability-building, and stakeholder engagement.

Ana discusses Australia’s unique asbestos legacy, including its sheer volume and widespread use in housing and infrastructure, and the resulting impact on policy, regulation, and remediation. She explains how enforcement action by the EPA triggered a system-wide response at Liverpool, including new procedures, internal working groups, and improved cross-department coordination.

Key lessons include the importance of community communication, maintaining empathy while still acknowledging risk, and ensuring messaging is co-developed between technical and comms teams. Ana also notes that councils often underestimate the extent of their asbestos problems and stresses the need for site-specific strategies rather than blanket approaches.

Finally, Ana encourages local councils to tap into LGNSW and ALGA working groups, where peer learning and resource-sharing can help councils make practical progress, even when the scale of the issue feels overwhelming.

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Are you a local NSW council member looking for more resources like this?

You are invited to join the Local Government NSW Contaminated Land Network!

Local Government NSW (LGNSW) hosts a free, online network for council staff on the topic of contaminated land. The network includes an online forum for collaboration, information sharing and announcements about contaminated land regulation, guidance and training opportunities. Monthly meetings are held on themes that were set by the network participants, with presentations from regulators, technical experts, and case studies by councils.

Since the contaminated land network commenced in December 2023, more than 50% of NSW councils have joined, with over 200 participants. Feedback shows that councils are benefitting greatly from the network meetings and discussion on the platform, and we are pleased to invite you to join us.

To join the network, please use this link: https://lgsa.wufoo.com/forms/w1rf0os910rxyl6/

We hope to see you on the network soon!

Andrew Mitchell is an environmental engineer with over 25 years of experience in regulation, policy, emergency management, pollution incidents and site contamination. 

Andrew currently leads the national environment team for ADE Consulting Group. His previous roles have included being a regulator of contaminated land, funding the clean-up of derelict sites, developing policy and preventative approaches for contamination, managing high-profile remediation projects, leading the NSW EPA in incident and emergency response and guiding the Department of Defence in investigating and managing PFAS contamination.

Through this work he has developed significant expertise in negotiation, influencing, analysis of incentives, community consultation and risk communication. He is a collaborative leader experienced in managing change processes and also a subject matter expert in the fields of risk assessment, contaminated land, hazardous chemicals and remediation.

In this episode Andrew reflects on key shifts in contaminated land management, including the evolution of NSW’s planning framework previously known as SEPP 55. He explains how what he calls a “co-regulation” model has enabled councils, consultants, and auditors to resolve contamination more efficiently through redevelopment processes.

He also highlights future risks associated with hazmat in infill housing, particularly the demolition of fibro homes, and urges stronger collaboration between councils and state government to ensure these developments proceed safely.

Drawing on decades of experience, Andrew outlines practical challenges and opportunities councils face in managing PFAS. He emphasizes the importance of transparency and early engagement with communities, referencing Peter Sandman’s Responding to Community Outrage as a valuable tool for navigating emotionally charged issues.

Andrew encourages local governments to assess their exposure across regulatory, financial, human health, environmental, and reputational dimensions—and to ensure these risks are communicated clearly to executives and councillors. He also flags the operational blind spots in areas like landfills and recycled water use, where well-intended sustainability measures can trigger costly consequences under zero-tolerance testing thresholds.

With NEMP 3.0 growing in size and complexity, Andrew recommends councils begin with the six-page summary of key changes and supplement their knowledge with up-to-date technical resources such as the ITRC’s PFAS training.

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Are you a local NSW council member looking for more resources like this?

You are invited to join the Local Government NSW Contaminated Land Network!

Local Government NSW (LGNSW) hosts a free, online network for council staff on the topic of contaminated land. The network includes an online forum for collaboration, information sharing and announcements about contaminated land regulation, guidance and training opportunities. Monthly meetings are held on themes that were set by the network participants, with presentations from regulators, technical experts, and case studies by councils.

Since the contaminated land network commenced in December 2023, more than 50% of NSW councils have joined, with over 200 participants. Feedback shows that councils are benefitting greatly from the network meetings and discussion on the platform, and we are pleased to invite you to join us.

To join the network, please use this link: https://lgsa.wufoo.com/forms/w1rf0os910rxyl6/

The project also comprises a webpage with up-to-date information and links to resources, which can be accessed here.

We hope to see you on the network soon!

Elizabeth Wild has more than 30 years of experience in environmental law, with a particular focus on managing issues related to contaminated land and remediation law. She has worked with government clients, listed property trusts, property developers, and large manufacturing, transportation, energy, infrastructure and resources companies. Liz is recognized as a leading or pre-eminent practitioner in environmental law in all major directories, including Doyle's Guide, Chambers, The Legal 500 Asia Pacific, and Best Lawyers.

Liz advises on all legal and strategic aspects associated with contaminated land, including disputes regarding allocation of liability for contamination, obtaining planning and environmental approvals for the remediation and development of contaminated land, and transacting and negotiating the sale and purchase of contaminated sites. She has been involved in many of the landmark cases in this area and acts for polluters and claimants in numerous environmental disputes involving the torts of nuisance and negligence. She is recognized as an authority regarding legal liability for PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) contamination.

In this episode, Elizabeth shares practical legal insights into the key areas of risk and responsibility for councils involved in contaminated land management. She outlines how legal liability can arise for councils—even when they are not the polluter—and provides tips on how to reduce risk, particularly during development assessments and land transactions.

We also cover how to navigate the complexities of information disclosure, including when and how to share contamination information with potential buyers, developers, or the broader public. Liz highlights important real-world examples and discusses what councils should be sure to disclose during negotiations and approvals. She also explores the legal complexities of PFAS, including the question of when a duty of care arises and how liability is determined—particularly where knowledge of site contamination may not have been clear at the time.

Finally, Liz discusses the different considerations councils must make in the development assessment process to manage contaminated land risks in flood-affected areas and coastal erosion zones. Her insights offer a clear, grounded perspective on how councils can protect themselves while playing a proactive role in land remediation.

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Are you a local NSW council member looking for more resources like this?

You are invited to join the Local Government NSW Contaminated Land Network!

Local Government NSW (LGNSW) hosts a free, online network for council staff on the topic of contaminated land. The network includes an online forum for collaboration, information sharing and announcements about contaminated land regulation, guidance and training opportunities. Monthly meetings are held on themes that were set by the network participants, with presentations from regulators, technical experts, and case studies by councils.

Since the contaminated land network commenced in December 2023, more than 50% of NSW councils have joined, with over 200 participants. Feedback shows that councils are benefitting greatly from the network meetings and discussion on the platform, and we are pleased to invite you to join us.

To join the network, please use this link: https://lgsa.wufoo.com/forms/w1rf0os910rxyl6/

The project also comprises a webpage with up-to-date information and links to resources, which can be accessed here.

We hope to see you on the network soon!

Dr. Sophie Wood is the Program Manager for the Contaminated Sites Assessment, Remediation and Management (CSARM) Short Courses at the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS). The CSARM course has been delivered over the past 15 years and has seen great success in upskilling the industry. In this episode, we focus on the Contaminated Site Management and Regulation Short Course (CSMR) which launched in 2024, focusing specifically on CLM for councils.

Sophie has had an extensive career in contaminated land and waste management consultancy, including 13 years as a partner at Environmental Resources Management (ERM) in Sydney. She was also a New South Wales EPA and Queensland accredited site auditor, and remains a certified environmental practitioner, site contamination specialist, under the EIANZ scheme.

Sophie holds a Bachelor's degree in Natural Sciences and Geology from the University of Cambridge and a PhD in Geochemistry from the University of Leeds. She has worked on many major contaminated site projects, including the Barangaroo site gasworks remediation, the remediation of the gasworks beneath the new Sydney Metro station at Central Station, and for Western Sydney Airport.

She was also the lead auditor for the first draft of the revision of the 2013 NEPM schedules B4 and B7, focusing on site specific risk assessment and health based investigation levels. She is passionate about high quality teaching and learning, helping professionals strengthen their expertise in contaminated land management through the CSARM and now the CSMR courses.

In this episode, Dr. Sophie Wood discusses how training programs tailored for council staff are filling critical knowledge gaps in contaminated land management. She explains the development of the UTS CSMR Short Course, which was created in direct response to local council demand.

Sophie shares insights into common knowledge gaps among council staff, particularly in determining whether consultant reports contain enough information to support decision-making. Many council officers struggle with understanding what is critical versus "nice to have" data, and targeted training helps them focus on the most relevant aspects.

Looking ahead, Sophie warns that climate change will pose major challenges, with risks like landfill erosion, contamination spread via floods, and industrial site closures. She stresses the need for councils to prepare for emerging contaminants and future risks.

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Are you a local NSW council member looking for more resources like this?

You are invited to join the Local Government NSW Contaminated Land Network!

Local Government NSW (LGNSW) hosts a free, online network for council staff on the topic of contaminated land. The network includes an online forum for collaboration, information sharing and announcements about contaminated land regulation, guidance and training opportunities. Monthly meetings are held on themes that were set by the network participants, with presentations from regulators, technical experts, and case studies by councils.

Since the contaminated land network commenced in December 2023, more than 50% of NSW councils have joined, with over 200 participants. Feedback shows that councils are benefitting greatly from the network meetings and discussion on the platform, and we are pleased to invite you to join us.

To join the network, please use this link: https://lgsa.wufoo.com/forms/w1rf0os910rxyl6/

The Contaminated Land Network forms part of a project called “Councils Managing Contaminated Land Together” funded by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (NSW EPA) to support capacity building and informed decision-making by those involved in contaminated land management in councils.

We hope to see you on the network soon!

John Hunt is a renowned expert in contaminated land remediation and Senior Technical Adviser at Ventia. John has qualifications in geology and is Certified Site Contamination Specialist with more than 30 years’ experience in contaminated site assessment and remediation.

He started in the industry in 1992 with Groundwater Technology Australia as a contamination consultant. After 5 years with ADI Limited remediating former Defence munitions manufacturing sites, he joined Thiess Services (the precursor of Ventia’s remediation business) in 2000.

John has worked on many of Australia’s iconic remediation projects including the 2000 Olympics site, the Mortlake gasworks, the Rhodes Peninsula dioxin sites and Orica’s Botany Car Park remediation. Most recently he has become involved in PFAS remediation, a problem he had originally planned to leave to the next generation of practitioners to solve. He is a past president of ALGA and a long term member of the Sustainable Remediation Forum of Australia and New Zealand (SuRF ANZ), a specialist interest group of ALGA.

In this episode, John delves into the importance of problem definition in contaminated land management. He explains how diverse disciplines in geology, science, and engineering come together to tackle environmental challenges and emphasizes that miscommunication between these fields can lead to incorrect remediation approaches.

John discusses the evolution of sustainability in remediation, explaining how sustainable solutions are highly context-specific and depend on the environmental, social, and economic conditions of a site. He highlights the role of guidelines like ISO 18504 in providing a framework for sustainable remediation and encourages councils to integrate sustainability considerations early in project planning.

You will also gain insights from John's experiences on iconic Australian projects like the Sydney Olympics site and Rhodes Peninsula, where consultation with communities shaped effective and practical remediation strategies. He wraps up with advice for councils on staying up to date with emerging challenges, such as PFAS contamination and climate change impacts, and stresses the importance of forward-looking cost analysis in remediation planning.

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Are you a local NSW council member looking for more resources like this?

You are invited to join the Local Government NSW Contaminated Land Network!

Local Government NSW (LGNSW) hosts a free, online network for council staff on the topic of contaminated land. The network includes an online forum for collaboration, information sharing and announcements about contaminated land regulation, guidance and training opportunities. Monthly meetings are held on themes that were set by the network participants, with presentations from regulators, technical experts, and case studies by councils.

Since the contaminated land network commenced in December 2023, more than 50% of NSW councils have joined, with over 200 participants. Feedback shows that councils are benefitting greatly from the network meetings and discussion on the platform, and we are pleased to invite you to join us.

To join the network, please use this link: https://lgsa.wufoo.com/forms/w1rf0os910rxyl6/

The Contaminated Land Network forms part of a project called “Councils Managing Contaminated Land Together” funded by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (NSW EPA) to support capacity building and informed decision-making by those involved in contaminated land management in councils. The project also comprises a webpage with up-to-date information and links to resources, which can be accessed here.

We hope to see you on the network soon!

Howard Waldron is the co-founder of Lotsearch, a company that has pioneered the development of environmental information and insights, with a particular focus on potential contamination.

Since the company was founded in 2014, they have been a provider of environmental and planning reports in Australia, helping support environmental consultants when undertaking preliminary site investigations.

More recently, Lotsearch have been engaged to help produce contaminated land registers for a consortium of regional councils across NSW, and by state and federal government agencies to undertake research in identifying potential contamination sources as well as supporting their assessments.

In this episode, Shonelle and Howard discuss the impact contaminated land registers have had on the way local councils manage potential contamination risks. Howard shares how these registers provide councils with vital data to comply with Section 10.7 planning certificates, improving transparency in property transactions and helping prevent environmental and human health impacts.

Howard highlights the importance of streamlining data collection, improving the accuracy of site investigations, and reducing the risk of contamination being missed.

He also shares insights into Lotsearch’s evolution over the past decade and explores how AI and machine learning are enhancing the accuracy of contamination data -- and what the future holds for environmental data in local government decision-making.

To read the opinion piece written by Norton Rose Fulbright, ‘Real estate lawyers’ duties and responsibilities in relation to contaminated land’, click here.

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Are you a local NSW council member looking for more resources like this?

You are invited to join the Local Government NSW Contaminated Land Network!

Local Government NSW (LGNSW) hosts a free, online network for council staff on the topic of contaminated land. The network includes an online forum for collaboration, information sharing and announcements about contaminated land regulation, guidance and training opportunities. Monthly meetings are held on themes that were set by the network participants, with presentations from regulators, technical experts, and case studies by councils.

Since the contaminated land network commenced in December 2023, more than 50% of NSW councils have joined, with over 200 participants. Feedback shows that councils are benefitting greatly from the network meetings and discussion on the platform, and we are pleased to invite you to join us.

To join the network, please use this link: https://lgsa.wufoo.com/forms/w1rf0os910rxyl6/

The Contaminated Land Network forms part of a project called “Councils Managing Contaminated Land Together” funded by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (NSW EPA) to support capacity building and informed decision-making by those involved in contaminated land management in councils. The project also comprises a webpage with up-to-date information and links to resources, which can be accessed here.

We hope to see you on the network soon!

Jayden Pan is a Legacy Sites Project Officer at Hornsby Shire Council, part of the team responsible for the Foxglove Oval Remediation Project, a legacy landfill in Mount Colah, NSW. Jayden’s role involves managing the complex remediation of this site, utilizing his background in environmental consulting and landfill monitoring.

In this episode, Jayden discusses his journey from environmental consulting to working with legacy landfill sites at Hornsby Shire Council. He shares insights into the Foxglove Oval Remediation Project, detailing the challenges of managing methane gas emissions, leachate, and the environmental impact of old landfill sites.

You will learn about the key steps in remediating legacy landfills, the importance of community engagement, and how Hornsby Shire Council is working to innovate and apply modern solutions to manage contaminated land.

Jayden also highlights the unique complexities of balancing regulatory requirements with practical, site-specific challenges, and how empathy and clear communication are essential when working with affected communities.

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Are you a local NSW council member looking for more resources like this?

You are invited to join the Local Government NSW Contaminated Land Network!

Local Government NSW (LGNSW) hosts a free, online network for council staff on the topic of contaminated land. The network includes an online forum for collaboration, information sharing and announcements about contaminated land regulation, guidance and training opportunities. Monthly meetings are held on themes that were set by the network participants, with presentations from regulators, technical experts, and case studies by councils.

Since the contaminated land network commenced in December 2023, more than 50% of NSW councils have joined, with over 200 participants. Feedback shows that councils are benefitting greatly from the network meetings and discussion on the platform, and we are pleased to invite you to join us.

To join the network, please use this link: https://lgsa.wufoo.com/forms/w1rf0os910rxyl6/

The Contaminated Land Network forms part of a project called “Councils Managing Contaminated Land Together” funded by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (NSW EPA) to support capacity building and informed decision-making by those involved in contaminated land management in councils. The project also comprises a webpage with up-to-date information and links to resources, which can be accessed here.

We hope to see you on the network soon!

Malcolm Adrien is an environmental scientist with 14 years’ experience in the environmental consulting and contaminated land sector. He managed several consultancies in the Newcastle region before he made the switch to local government in 2023 where he took on the newly created role at Maitland City Council as the Senior Contaminated Land Officer.

Malcolm has a strong background in contaminated site assessment, remediation, environmental monitoring and is also an EIANZ CEnvP for Site Contamination & SafeWork NSW Independent Licensed Asbestos Assessor.

In this episode, Malcolm Adrien shares his journey from environmental consulting to his current role in local government.

You will learn about the complexities of managing contaminated land within a local council's jurisdiction, including the challenges of dealing with historic landfills and unexpected contamination in development projects.

Malcolm discusses his work on the Anambah Landfill, offering insights into the remediation strategies being implemented to manage this site. He also touches on the importance of early intervention in contaminated land management and the value of having strong technical expertise within local councils.

For those interested in asbestos management, Malcolm explains the regulatory requirements in New South Wales and shares practical advice for handling asbestos in various scenarios. The episode wraps up with Malcolm's tips for young professionals aiming to build a career in the contaminated land sector.

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Are you a local NSW council member looking for more resources like this?

You are invited to join the Local Government NSW Contaminated Land Network!

Local Government NSW (LGNSW) hosts a free, online network for council staff on the topic of contaminated land. The network includes an online forum for collaboration, information sharing and announcements about contaminated land regulation, guidance and training opportunities. Monthly meetings are held on themes that were set by the network participants, with presentations from regulators, technical experts, and case studies by councils.

Since the contaminated land network commenced in December 2023, more than 50% of NSW councils have joined, with over 200 participants. Feedback shows that councils are benefitting greatly from the network meetings and discussion on the platform, and we are pleased to invite you to join us.

To join the network, please use this link: https://lgsa.wufoo.com/forms/w1rf0os910rxyl6/

The Contaminated Land Network forms part of a project called “Councils Managing Contaminated Land Together” funded by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (NSW EPA) to support capacity building and informed decision-making by those involved in contaminated land management in councils. The project also comprises a webpage with up-to-date information and links to resources, which can be accessed here.

We hope to see you on the network soon!

Bob Symons serves as the Regional Technical Manager for Eurofins Environment Testing Australia & Aotearoa New Zealand, where he oversees contaminants of emerging concern and contributes to the PFAS global peer group.

Holding a Ph.D. in Environmental Analytical Chemistry from La Trobe University and an undergraduate degree from Victoria University in Melbourne, Bob brings a wealth of academic expertise to his role. He has previously served as a member of the NATA (National Association of Testing Authorities, Australia) Life Sciences Accreditation Advisory Committee and currently acts as a Technical Assessor for ISO/IEC 17025 as well as a committee member of ALGA's special interest group on Emerging Contaminants.

Bob's research pursuits have primarily focused on the analysis of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), encompassing dioxins, dioxin-like PCBs, PBDEs, PPCPs, and PFAS, employing advanced mass spectrometric techniques. Notably, he has played a pivotal role in pioneering commercial microplastics analytical methodologies within Australia, underscoring his commitment to advancing environmental testing capabilities.

In this episode you’ll learn about emerging contaminants such as microplastics and PFAS. Shonelle and Bob also discuss rising concerns surrounding environmental waste from pharmaceuticals and personal care products, as well as the safe disposal of electronics, including smartphones, lithium-ion batteries, and electric vehicle batteries.

Bob shares his advice to those working in local council to ask lots of questions when working to manage contaminated land, and where needed to employ the help of laboratories like Eurofins Emerging Contaminants Laboratory or the Australian Laboratory for Emerging Contaminants at the University of Melbourne.

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Are you a local NSW council member looking for more resources like this?

You are invited to join the Local Government NSW Contaminated Land Network!

Local Government NSW (LGNSW) hosts a free, online network for council staff on the topic of contaminated land. The network includes an online forum for collaboration, information sharing and announcements about contaminated land regulation, guidance and training opportunities. Monthly meetings are held on themes that were set by the network participants, with presentations from regulators, technical experts, and case studies by councils.

Since the contaminated land network commenced in December 2023, more than 50% of NSW councils have joined, with over 200 participants. Feedback shows that councils are benefitting greatly from the network meetings and discussion on the platform, and we are pleased to invite you to join us.

To join the network, please use this link: https://lgsa.wufoo.com/forms/w1rf0os910rxyl6/

The contaminated land network forms part of a project called “Councils Managing Contaminated Land Together” funded by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (NSW EPA) to support capacity building and informed decision-making by those involved in contaminated land management in councils.

We hope to see you on the network soon!

In this episode, Shonelle chats with two special guests, Dr Danielle Toase and Dr Lange Jorstad.

Danielle Toase is an Environmental Manager, with a BSc in environmental science and PhD in environmental geochemistry. She has over 10 years experience across the fields of environmental research, regulation, remediation contracting, consulting and corporate environmental management.

Danielle has worked at multiple complex PFAS contamination since 2016, particularly at aviation sites or sites where multiple sources of PFAS exist. Her interests surround PFAS fingerprinting, source delineation, remediation technologies and the circular economy. Danielle is also an active member of ALGA, having recently been appointed to the Board of Directors and is an honorary research associate at Macquarie University.

Lange Jorstad is a Principal Hydrogeologist at Geosyntec Consultants, with a BSc in geological sciences from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a PhD in contaminant hydrogeology from UNSW. He has over 20 years’ experience as a consulting hydrogeologist, specialising in contaminant fate and transport and environmental geochemistry.

Lange is a NSW EPA accredited Site Auditor and Certified Environmental Practitioner – Site Contamination Specialist, is an active member of the ALGA groundwater fate and transport special interest group, and provides university lectures on groundwater, contamination and sustainable remediation. He has provided consulting and auditing services for PFAS-contaminated properties for government and industry clients since 2015, including local development sites, fuel terminals, landfills, and airports.

You’ll hear how they got started in their respective fields, including Danielle’s PhD studies in Antarctica focused on chemical fixation of heavy metals in legacy landfills using orthophosphate and silica reagents.

Lange shares advice for local councils investigating landfills as a contamination source, and the evolution of groundwater remediation from pump and treat to in situ technologies, and Danielle discusses the purpose of PFAS fingerprinting and why it’s important especially in complex hydrogeology and sites with multiple potential sources of PFAS.