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Agriculture, biosecurity and the environment

Broadleaf has undertaken numerous assignments associated with agriculture, biosecurity and the environment. These have ranged from the development of organisational standards and guidelines to detailed technical reviews, quantitative analyses and peer reviews. We have worked with Government agencies, regulators and large companies in the private sector.

HB 203:2012 Managing environment-related risk

Dr Dale Cooper is one of the authors of HB 203:2012 ‘Managing environment-related risk’ (with Janet Gough and Professor Jean Cross), which discusses the application of ISO 31000 to environment-related risks and how it aligns with the ISO 14000 series of environmental standards. Among other things, HB 203 aims to communicate with the users of other risk-based frameworks, including those of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), the Codex Alimentarius Commission, the European Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemical Substances (REACH) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Our projects

Some of our activities are noted below.

Australian Institute of Marine Science

We prepared and facilitated a series of workshops to identify the main strategic risks and opportunities for AIMS.

Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority

We prepared a draft Risk Management Framework for Regulatory Science for APVMA, tailored to the Authority’s regulatory responsibilities, Australia’s national system for registration of pesticides and veterinary chemicals, the role of State and Territory Governments and the objectives of local and international stakeholders.

Biosecurity Australia

We reviewed import risk analysis processes, including quantitative IRA methods.

Bureau of Rural Sciences, Australia

We conducted a review of approaches to consequence analysis currently used by Australian Government agencies, to draw on the experience of others to further develop and improve Biosecurity Australia’s approach to consequence analysis.

Chevron Texaco

We assisted with quarantine risk management and the development of the Quarantine Management System for the Barrow Island Project, part of the Greater Gorgon Development. (The project won environmental approval from the Western Australian government, and Chevron’s QMS won an APPEA Environmental Award.)

Department of Agriculture, Australia

We participated in a peer review of the Risk Return Resource Allocation Project and associated methods and models. The aim of the project is to provide a transparent and credible platform for the allocation of resources among options that will reduce biosecurity risk.

Department of Defence, Australia

We assisted the Department of Defence to develop its Environmental Risk Management Framework; we conducted reviews of environmental risk assessments for Defence sites under the Framework; we prepared and facilitated environmental risk assessments of operations at Defence sites; we reviewed an environmental risk management tool.

Department of Sustainability and Environment, Victoria

We acted for the Department to undertake a peer review of the environmental risk assessment process and outcomes associated with a large seawater desalination project, as part of the approval process for the new plant.

Downer EDi Engineering

We undertook quantitative risk analyses in support of a bid to construct a urea plant.

Downer EDi Mining

We assisted in the technical evaluation and risk assessment for the establishment of a pyrolysis plant for recycling used mining truck tyres. The technology had not been used on these specific tyres before. A review of its performance, risks and required enhancements was performed in China and in Brisbane.

Environment Australia

We prepared and facilitated a multi-agency, scenario-based risk assessment to review and discuss technical information on the causation and epidemiology of Mundalla Yellows, a progressively fatal disease that affects eucalypts and other genera of Australian native trees and shrubs, to review research directions and to consider interim and subsequent management options.

Forests NSW

We developed quantitative risk analysis models to generate a Public Sector Comparator for proposed private sector participation and investment in second-rotation plantations.

We prepared quantitative risk analysis models to assess the implications of carbon pricing on the economics of Pinus radiata plantations.

Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, New Zealand

We provided a peer review of a quantitative risk analysis model for flock infection with scrapie, an incurable degenerative disease of sheep and goats.

Ok Tedi Mining Limited

We undertook peer reviews of quantitative risk analyses associated with the Mine Waste Management project, a major environmental remediation program.

Origin Energy

We conducted root cause analyses and lessons learned workshops to investigate environmental and regulatory matters associated with coal seam gas developments.

Port of Melbourne Corporation

We conducted a peer review of the risk management process, including quantitative risk analysis, for environmental assessment of the Port Phillip Bay Channel Deepening Project.

Wollongong Coal, Russell Vale Colliery

We facilitated the risk assessment for the Underground Expansion Project at the Russell Vale Colliery, a requirement for planning approval. The assessment focussed on risks that might affect the quantity of water in Cataract Reservoir, the quality of the water flowing into the Reservoir and the ecological health of upland swamps and creeks. The assessment was reviewed by an Independent Risk Assessment Panel and the regulators. Our report was presented to the NSW Planning Assessment Commission.

Climate change

For information about our work relating to climate change, please see our dedicated page here.