Home

ACLCA - Introduction

The Australian Contaminated Land Consultants Association Inc. (ACLCA) was formed in late 1995 to provide a voice to decision makers in Australia and internationally on matters associated with contaminated land management.

The association represents the major environmental consulting firms involved in the assessment and management of contaminated sites in Australia. It currently has representation in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Queensland and Western Australia.

Our goals are:

• To provide a forum for member companies to develop, discuss and respond to issues that affect us in our responsible management of contaminated lands;
  
• To establish and maintain a strong working relationship with regulatory authorities and other related agencies that have an interest in the management of contaminated lands;
  
• To encourage others to accept ACLCA as the consulting industry's peak representative group on contaminated land issues;
  
• To assist in the development and maintenance of appropriate industry practices and encourage members to adopt these practices;
  
• To promote and encourage the open exchange of information between members and other interested bodies;
  
• To promote an awareness and provide information to outside parties on the professional skills in the area of contaminated land management. 

ACLCA - Presidents address for 2010

We have had a good consolidating year in 2009.  I would like to thank the immediate past president for leaving us in a good position, having himself inherited a healthy organisation. 

We are at a point now, where the time has come for ACLCA to make the next series of jumps, for the benefit of our industry and profession.  There are a number of initiatives being pursued by the board at present.  I will take just a little time to outline what the year ahead has in store for us as ACLCA. 

Some of the events in train include:

• Bendigo Gasworks tour, organised by Steve Bos of NAA
• MW Geo, aquifer testing course being organised by Peter Gringinger of Lane Piper.
• Workshop/seminars on asbestos in soils, remedial technologies and analytical laboratories. TBA
• The 6 module CPD Contaminated land assessment series.

Some of the other events being planned are:

• A mini symposium on NAPL in the Newer Volcanics.  A focused sub-committee is being set up to see this through and hopefully we can have it up and running by end of year.
• On the national front, we have reinvigorated the ACLCA national chair role, with Victoria to preside as chair for the next two years.  This is an important function as it will assist in co-ordinating ACLCA efforts on a national basis.  Let us not forget that many of us practise our profession over state boundaries.
• We have participation on the CRC CARE re-bid committee and participation in the associated organisation the Australian Remediation Industry Cluster (ARIC).  We are also looking to work with ALGa in a collaborative and constructive manner.  This will enable the association to maintain its relevance and connection to the assessment and remediation industry as a whole.

While the board is active in pursuing initiatives, we look to our membership to provide us with their ideas and suggestions.  To this end, we will set up a suggestions box on our web site, to solicit suggestions from our membership as a whole.  These would be reviewed at board level and considered replies will be provided to all requests.

A brief summary on myself.  Having first started in this industry in 1990 from a geoscience background, I have had the opportunity to see the industry grow and develop into what today is described as a billion dollar per year contributor to the national economy.  I am currently engaged as a project director/technical on URS assessment and remediation projects, together with my role in ACLCA and father of two leaves little time for much else. 

Im very looking forward to working with all in the future and encourage your participation and contribution to our association.  

Regards,
Alex Simopoulos
Principal Geo-Environmental Scientist - URS Australia
President - ACLCA (Vic)
National Chair - ACLCA