Mount Martha North Beach Geotechnical Assessment
July 2018
Mount Martha North Beach has been a favourite of many families living in the area for generations. In recent years, there has been movement of the sand from the beach, erosion of the toe of the cliff and subsequent instability of the cliff face. Late last year, following community concerns, the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) and Mornington Peninsula Shire Council (MPSC) conducted a community meeting to present the assessment undertaken by coastal engineers, Water Technology in 2017. The research highlighted issues about the environmental impacts affecting Mount Martha North and the region around Balcombe Creek more broadly.
Senversa was engaged by the DELWP to undertake a geotechnical assessment of the cliff at Mount Martha North and prepare engineering designs for construction of the rock revetment to protect the toe of the cliff and reduce the cliff movements in collaboration with AW Maritime. For more information on the project, please contact John Piper at Senversa’s Melbourne office.
Senversa welcomes John Piper
February 2018
Senversa is both excited and proud to welcome John Piper as a Senior Principal based in our Melbourne office.
John is an EPA Site Auditor (Contaminated Land) and a Fellow of the Institute of Engineers Australia. John has more than 35 years’ experience in geotechnical and environmental engineering and is a registered civil engineer with the Victorian Building Practitioners Board, and in Queensland.
As an EPA Site Auditor for more than a decade, John has audited a wide variety of sites including landfills and contaminated sites. Due to John’s wide experience in all types of geotechnical engineering and environmental assessments, he is often sought to lead multi – discipline projects. John has completed geotechnical investigations for major buildings with multiple basements, wastewater treatment plants, major pipelines, landfills, dams, roads and slope stability assessments and is sought out as an expert in these areas
Senversa is hugely excited about the wealth of experience that John will bring to Senversa, both what he can offer our clients and the mentoring he can provide our colleagues.
PFAS Summit held in Melbourne
April 2017
Michael Rehfisch and Jason Clay attended the Heads of EPA PFAS Summit held in Melbourne. This summit focussed on the development of a national management plan for PFAS including waste guidance.
The experiences and knowledge of international experts will provide valuable input on the regulation of this emerging contaminant in Australia and New Zealand.
NSW Contaminated Sites Auditors’ Meeting Update
March 2017
Senversa was recently in attendance at the biannual NSW EPA Accredited Auditors’ meeting and the key themes were:
- Revision of NSW Site Auditor Scheme Guidelines
Comments on the draft revised NSW EPA Contaminated Land Management – Guidelines for the NSW Auditor Scheme have closed and all received submissions are being considered.
The draft site audit statement (SAS) format includes provision for determination of an audit under three scenarios.
- PFAS Update
PFAS continues to be a priority area for action in 2017 and the results of the EPA investigations into potentially impacted sites in NSW are available on the EPA website. The development of PFAS guidance also continues to be a priority and the VIC EPA is hosting a national PFAS summit on 4 April 2017. The summit will bring together international experts and regulators to discuss the regulations of PFAS impacted sites and develop a national management plan.
- ANZECC Water Quality Guidelines Revision 2017
The ANZECC Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality published in 2000 are being revised. A web platform with up to date amendments is also being developed as part of the revision expected to be published in July 2017.
Our three NSW EPA accredited site auditors can assist with further information on any of these issues.
Melissa Porter joins Senversa Sydney Team
February 2017
Senversa is delighted to welcome Melissa Porter as a Principal to the rapidly expanding Sydney team. Melissa adds to our team of NSW EPA Accredited Auditors which includes Jason Clay and Graeme Miller. She brings extensive experience having undertaken over 100 audits since accreditation. Welcome Melissa!
Perth and Sydney Move!
January 2017
Our Perth and Sydney teams have both moved and settled into new locations at:
Level 17, 140 St Georges Terrace
Perth WA 6000
Level 5, The Grafton Bond Building, 201 Kent Street
Sydney NSW 2000.
| Perth | Sydney |
 |
 |
New Audit Guidelines – WA
November 2016
WA’s Department of Environment Regulation has just released three new guidelines related to contaminated sites auditing.
These documents titled The Western Australian Contaminated Sites Auditor Scheme, Accreditation of Contaminated Sites Auditors and Requirements for Mandatory Auditors’ Reports replace the former Contaminated sites auditors – guidelines for accreditation, conduct and reporting (2009).
Key changes include:
- MARs to be submitted after investigation or remediation milestones e.g. PSI, DSI, RAP, SMP except when these are completed within a 12 month period.
- General update and alignment with the revised National Environment Protection (Assessment of Site Contamination) Measure 1999
- Consultants must request a detailed summary of records for each lot to ensure that all available documents are included in an audit
 |
 |
 |
Copies of the guidelines are available on the DER website https://www.der.wa.gov.au/your-environment/contaminated-sites/61-contaminated-sites-guidelines
For further information or to discuss how these guidelines may impact on your business, please contact our three WA accredited Contaminated Sites Auditors on (08) 6557 8881.
Senversa at 2016 EcoForum
October 2016
From examining the physico-chemical properties of PFAS and quantifying ecological and health risks, to innovative and sustainable gasworks investigations, to conflict resolution in contaminated sites – these have been some of the topics covered by our 2016 EcoForum conference speakers from Senversa.
Behind the scenes, the Senversa delegation has also been heavily involved in making EcoForum a success including presenting at the pre-conference Emerging Contaminants of Concern PFAS Workshop, chairing sessions and reviewing abstract submissions.
The combined Perth team and participant delegation have enjoyed taking part in this biennial gathering of leading professionals and stakeholders in the contaminated land industry.
Perth Celebrates its First Birthday
October 2016
Following the opening of our Perth office in August 2015, the Senversa WA team has quickly expanded to eight talented staff who service a diverse range of clients in the government, industrial, land development, oil and gas, and mining sectors. To celebrate this milestone, the office held a first birthday celebration with clients recently. The Senversa team and clients had a great night reflecting on the achievements of the last 12 months.
Melbourne Office Move!
September 2016
Due to growth, our Melbourne office has relocated! We are now based at Level 6, 15 William St, Melbourne Vic 3000. All email and phone details remain the same.
Jeremy Hogben joins Senversa
February 2016
Senversa welcomes Jeremy Hogben to our rapidly expanding WA team. Jeremy is a WA DER accredited contaminated sites auditor and member of the Contaminated Sites Committee, and following his relocation back to Perth, joins Vanessa Bryant, Jason Clay, Nathan Henderson, Ashton Betti and Claire Stewart as our core senior WA staff. For more information on our growing service capability in WA and/or career opportunities in Perth, please contact Jeremy or Senversa (via our website).
Steve Brazil Joins Senversa
December 2015
Senversa is thrilled to welcome Steve Brazil as our national QHSE manager. Steve has 25 years’ experience around the provision of a safe working environment for employees and project stakeholders, and demonstrates our commitment to continually improving our OH&S and environmental performance. Welcome Steve!
Vanessa Bryant Joins Senversa
November 2015
Senversa continues to expand in Western Australia, with the recent addition of Vanessa Bryant to the team. Vanessa is a local Western Australian Contaminated Sites Auditor and helps in cementing our capability in the WA market. Vanessa, along with Jason Clay and the team in Perth look forward to the next stages of growth and continuing to provide the highest quality service.
Jason Clay Joins Senversa
August 2015
Senversa is delighted to announce Jason Clay has joined us as a Senior Principal based in Sydney. Jason has been a contaminated land consultant for over 20 years, coming to Australia from the UK in 2004. He is an EPA accredited contaminated sites auditor in NSW and WA and is especially keen on chlorinated solvents and groundwater remediation.
Senversa expanding to New South Wales!
July 2015
Following strong demand from our national network of clients, Senversa is delighted to announce we have commenced contaminated land services in NSW, initially with a small team based in the Sydney CBD.
For further information on our team, our services and capabilities, or potential career opportunities, please visit our website at www.senversa.com.au or contact Ian Batterley on 0466 649 294.
Doug Ahearne appointed as Environmental Auditor in Victoria
July 2015
Doug Ahearne was recently successful in his application to the Victorian EPA to become an appointed Environmental Auditor for contaminated Land. Doug has been a long term Senversa employee having joined in the year we commenced our operations in 2009. On behalf of all the Senversa team, huge congratulations to Doug on his efforts and on the recognition of his skills.
Senversa’s Adelaide Office Turns One
June 2015
After an extremely successful twelve months, Senversa’s Adelaide team recently celebrated its one year anniversary.
Graeme Miller and his team continue to build their environmental assessment and auditing project work portfolio in South Australia and have been engaged to complete several high profile projects in Adelaide.
We’ve also had an extremely busy twelve months outside the office with our mixed triathlon team taking out their category award in the corporate triathlon; Dani and Nicola continuing to add valuable contributions to industry organisations (including the Professional Environmental Women’s Association); and Jarrod continuing to feature in the local SANFL competition for Sturt.