Contamination Station: Safer Environment Together

Michael Seller is the Membership Development Manager at the Australasian Land & Groundwater Association (ALGA), the leading industry body representing professionals working in contaminated land and groundwater management across Australia and New Zealand.
In his role, Michael leads initiatives to grow and support ALGA’s member community, connecting practitioners, regulators, consultants, scientists and industry partners to strengthen collaboration and promote best practice across the sector.
Through his work at ALGA, Michael plays a key role in supporting those working in contaminated land management by helping build strong professional networks, improving access to training and industry guidance, and fostering collaboration across government, consulting and industry. His work helps ensure practitioners stay informed, connected and supported in a rapidly evolving regulatory and technical landscape.
In this episode, Shonelle and Michael discuss the challenges facing contaminated land practitioners in local government and the importance of building stronger professional networks across the sector. Michael reflects on what he hears from councils across Australia, noting that many officers managing contaminated land are also responsible for a wide range of other functions, from planning to environmental health, and are often stepping into contamination work without dedicated resources or specialist teams.
The conversation explores how professional networks can help address this reality. Michael discusses how practitioners can connect across government, consulting, and industry, and highlights the value of special interest groups, events, and peer forums that allow officers to share experiences, troubleshoot challenges, and support one another in what can sometimes feel like an isolated role within councils.
Michael also touches on the importance of training, capability building, and leadership support for council members. From professional development pathways like CEnvP certification to knowledge-sharing events and online resources, he explains how strengthening capability across the sector ultimately helps councils manage contaminated land risks more effectively and engage confidently with stakeholders and 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/
We hope to see you in the network soon!

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!