Driven by Research. Defined by Innovation.
A focused, innovation-led company. At Western Environmental we are combining scientific expertise with emerging technology to deliver smarter outcomes at scale.
Our Story
Western Environmental began with a clear purpose: to help organisations navigate environmental complexity with confidence. Over time, we’ve grown into a trusted partner across Australia, delivering practical, science-led solutions that balance compliance, sustainability, and long-term value.
As our industry evolves, so do we. In 2026, Western Environmental enters a new chapter. With part of our approvals and ecology services transitioning into a separate entity, we are sharpening our focus and investing in the future – expanding into environmental technology, research, and innovation.
This next phase reflects who we’ve always been: adaptable, forward-thinking, and committed to better environmental outcomes.
Established 2011
with experience spanning Australia and internationally.
environmental professionals across Australia.
complex and high-risk projects delivered.
Leadership
James Gibson Senior Principal / Managing Director
James is a highly experienced executive and current Managing Director of Western Environmental who also holds several non-executive director and advisory board positions within allied companies in the waste, energy and sustainability sectors. He is also a Senior Principal Environmental Scientist with extensive technical and strategic acumen and is a subject matter expert in the assessment and management of Per- and Poly-Fluoryl Alkyl Substances (PFAS). James also takes a keen interest in PFAS research and development, having been actively involved in several projects developing novel treatment methods in water and solids which has resulted in Western Environmental holding a range of Intellectual Property licences to deploy various technologies throughout Australasia.
After commencing his career at the environmental regulator in Western Australia, James pivoted to environmental consultancy in 2007. Since then he has worked as a Project and Technical Director in the field of Contaminated Land Management, providing strategic advice and technical peer review in addition to project delivery. James co-founded Western Environmental in 2011 and performed the role of Principal Scientist and Business Development Manager until 2015, when he was appointed Managing Director. During his tenure as a Director, the company has grown from a small WA-based firm to a national, multidisciplinary consultancy with more than 50 professional staff across most states in Australia.
Throughout his career, James has been involved in a vast array of projects across the Defence, aviation, infrastructure, government and land development sectors in Australia. He is also a specialist technical advisor with international experience, including for proponents in the USA that include government departments, utilities and private companies to whom he provides expert advice in relation to PFAS assessment and remediation.
James is active in the environmental industry as a member of Environmental Health Australia (EHA) and the Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand (EIANZ), where he held an Executive position (Treasurer) on the WA committee from 2009 – 2016.
Philip Brand Principal Environmental Scientist / Partner / WA CLM Business Unit Practice Manager
Philip is a proficient and skilled environmental project manager with experience in acid sulfate soils assessment and management, and site contamination assessment and management.
Phillip has worked his entire career in consulting, starting in 2008 where he was responsible for environmental impact assessments across the land development and mining sectors. In the years since, he has focussed his skillset on acid sulfate soils and site contamination.
Since joining Western Environmental in 2016, Philip has been appointed to the role of Infrastructure Lead and Project Director, where he oversees business development, procurement and the delivery of WA infrastructure projects Western Environmental delivers.
Byron Brewster Principal Environmental Scientist / CLM & Environmental Services Business Unit Manager – QLD/NT
Byron is an accomplished environmental professional who has been responsible for leading and providing expert technical advice on an array of medium to large scale multi-disciplinary engineering and environmental projects in Australia including nationally significant projects in roads and rail, renewables and mining.
While Byron‘s primary technical skill set is within contaminated lands assessment, management and remediation where he has undertaken work across infrastructure, aviation, oil & gas, land development and government sectors; he has also undertaken work for clients in environmental planning, permitting and engineering design, and continues to enjoy assisting clients in these areas.
Byron is also skilled in a range of remediation methodologies across multiple media types, and has a particularly keen interested in PFAS, heavy metals and hydrocarbons. Complementing this, his strong advocation for a risk-based and client-centric approach lends to the provision of pragmatic, effective advice, focused on tangible client needs and outcomes.
Peter McColl Principal Environmental Scientist / Partner / VIC CLM Business Unit Practice Manager
Peter is an accomplished project manager who has managed a vast array of projects from Preliminary Environmental Site Assessments through to large-scale Detailed Environmental Site Investigations requiring on-going monitoring and remediation.
Peter is a confident and effective communicator who enjoys working closely with all key stakeholders including clients, landowners, and the Victorian EPA, to ensure all his projects are completed to the highest possible standard. Peter always endeavours to ensure all parties are expertly and appropriately informed, irrespective of their level of technical understanding.
Peter also specialises in environmental due diligence and feasibility studies for land acquisition and divestment. His l experience ensures accurate cost estimates and informed, honest advice, which ultimately means his clients can have the utmost confidence in their decision-making.
As an Australian National University Alumni, Peter likes to keep informed on current research and how it may be best utilised in industry. Peter also has a strong technical background, with an in-depth understanding of current guidelines and Australian legislation.
David Reynolds Senior Principal / Senior Auditor
Dr Reynolds is an accredited contaminated sites Auditor in Queensland and Western Australia, where he has been responsible for auditing a number of high-profile sites in the Defence, aviation and government sectors, including heavily PFAS impacted sites. He is also an Expert Witness providing litigation support, both as a consulting and testifying expert (Australia, Canada, and the United States).
Dr. Reynolds is a Remediation expert with substantial experience in remediation design and implementation across multiple disciplines including PFAS and organic contaminants. He is also the co-inventor of electrokinetic oxidation approaches for remediation of heterogeneous and low permeability source zones, as well as the use of electromigration for in-situ desalination.
Dr Reynolds is a qualified hydrogeologist and an expert modeller of single and multiphase flow and transport in both porous and fractured media. He has extensive experience in contaminant fate and transport modelling, with a specific skillset in PFAS fate and transport.
Dr. Reynolds career has also included time as a tenured academic and Senior Lecturer, as Research Director of a multi-partner Centre focusing on groundwater issues, and senior technical positions at several international consulting firms. Dave has been an author of several ITRC guidance documents, as well as an author on National Academies publications, and is actively involved in research and development including as a Principal Investigator for the US Department of Defense Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP).
Giorgio Ne Nola Senior Principal Toxicologist / Risk Assessor
Giorgio is a Senior Principal in Environmental Risk Assessment and Toxicology with over 20 years’ experience as an environmental scientist working in research and a further 15 years working in consultancy. His main role is to provide technical support to environmental professionals in the contaminated land industry including environmental scientists, expert witnesses, and Auditors.
Giorgio has provided advice and prepared numerous Human Health (and Ecological) Risk Assessments (HHRA, HHERA, ERAs etc.) for new developments, industrial sites, landfills, mines, gasworks, reuse of materials (e.g. Thermally Treated Materials) throughout Australia utilizing the latest Australian guidance as well as worldwide (e.g. Canada). This has given him broad experience in the risk assessment and toxicology of many chemicals including petroleum hydrocarbons, chlorinated hydrocarbons, per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), metals, respirable crystalline silica, particulate matter, other criteria pollutants, fluoride, cyanide, nitrogen compounds including ammonia, etc. He has a passion for analytical chemistry and data visualisation to assist in understanding what is happening with contamination at a Site with a focus on developing detailed Conceptual Site models. In recent years this passion has focussed on the understanding of PFAS chemistry including their physicochemical properties, behaviour in the environment, toxicokinetics, and toxicology although he has been involved in the risk assessment of PFAS since 2012. He has also been involved in preparing guidance documents for biosolids, drinking water guideline documents for PFAS and metals, APVMA assessments of pesticides, toxicological risk of medical products and impurities, and exposure standards for particulate matter and silica.
Giorgio is a member of the Australian College of Toxicology and Risk Assessment (ACTRA) and the Australian Contaminated Land Consultants Association (ACLCA) Risk Assessment sub-committee in Victoria.
Jacqueline Cox Principal Environmental Scientist
Jackie is an experienced environmental professional with expertise in asbestos, occupational health and safety, air quality, hazardous materials, contaminated sites and acid sulfate soil assessments throughout Australia. As State Manager – Western Australia, Jackie is responsible for the operational management of the WA team.
Jackie has managed environmental investigations across a variety of sectors including minerals and energy, infrastructure, industry, land development and agriculture. Jackie has an in-depth understanding of, and particular expertise in, the monitoring, investigation, management and remediation of asbestos in accordance with guidance from Department of Health, National Occupational Health and Safety Commission and SafeWork Australia.
Jackie has delivered a significant number of projects through the Contaminated Sites Audit process and has established relationships with regulatory agencies and Contaminated Sites Auditors to ensure efficient, cost-effective management of projects with tight timeframes. Her experience includes contamination assessments of groundwater, surface water, soil and sediment, soil vapour, air quality, asbestos investigations and management through to human health and ecological risk assessments to support the management and remediation of contaminated sites.
Broderick Hosie Principal Environmental Scientist
Broderick Hosie is a Principal Environmental Scientist with more than 15 years’ experience delivering complex contaminated land and environmental projects across Western Australia’s mining, downstream oil and gas, power, and industrial sectors. He is a recognised specialist in contaminated sites investigation, remediation and risk management, with deep technical capability developed since 2012.
Broderick joined Western Environmental following tenures completing senior roles in top tier global professional services firms. He has led and grown multidisciplinary teams, driven commercial performance, delivered major tenders, and provided strategic client advice. His leadership style is collaborative and outcomes-focused, with a strong track record of building high-performing teams and guiding complex stakeholder groups toward practical and defensible project decisions.
He has directed large-scale environmental programs, including multi-million-dollar groundwater drilling campaigns and detailed contaminated land investigations, and is experienced in contractor engagement, project governance, health and safety management, and regulatory compliance. Broderick routinely works with regulators and Contaminated Sites Auditors, ensuring projects are aligned with legislative requirements and industry expectations. His experience spans top-tier multinational clients through to local Western Australian operators, enabling him to balance commercial drivers with robust, risk-based technical outcomes.
Matthew Trenorden Associate Environmental Scientist
Matthew is an experienced and proficient Senior Environmental Scientist responsible for field staff training, supervision and senior level reporting. He started his career in the contaminated land industry in 2016 with Western Environmental following his completion of a Bachelor of Science (Geology and Environmental Geoscience) and a Masters of Environmental Science (Land and Water Management) at UWA. Since then, he has been involved in environmental work across a variety of sectors including mining, infrastructure, government, Defence and land development.
Matthew has gained extensive knowledge and experience in a range of soil, groundwater, vapour and HAZMAT field investigations. This field experience has allowed Matthew to transition into reporting and project management while also continuing to train and supervise junior field staff.
Matthew particularly enjoys field investigations across a variety of contaminated sites, communicating environmental management processes to a range of different clients and stakeholders, and undertaking GIS mapping and data modelling for complex geological and contaminated environments.
Matthew Mullins Senior Environmental Scientist
Matt is a Senior Environmental Engineer with extensive experience within the contaminated land sector, with a particular focus on project management of EPA environmental audits, due diligence assessments and contaminated land remediation works across Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia, and Queensland.
Matt has managed complex environmental projects for both private and government clients operating within the petrochemical, manufacturing, construction, defence, development, and commercial sectors. His experience working within these sectors has not only allowed him to develop a firm understanding of client requirements, but also permitted him to develop a firm understanding of both national and state-based legislation, ensuring outcomes that are in compliance with the requirements of regulatory authorities.
With a client focused outlook, Matts experience has allowed him to identify innovative, practical, and cost-effective solutions to meet the expanding environmental compliance and due diligence requirements of Western Environmental’s clientele.
Renae Makin Senior Environmental Scientist
Renae is a highly skilled and passionate Senior Environmental Scientist with a Bachelor of Science (Conservation and Wildlife Biology) and an Infrastructure Sustainability Accredited Professional (ISAP). With over four years of experience in the environmental industry, Renae specialises in the construction and infrastructure sectors, offering a comprehensive skillset in environmental management and sustainability.
Renae’s extensive project experience includes providing advisory and supervision services in environmental and sustainability matters. She has excelled in various areas such as Acid Sulfate Soil (ASS) and contamination assessment, environmental impact assessment, site investigation, ground and surface water monitoring, soil investigation and sampling, dust and air quality analysis, flora and vegetation management, fauna assessment, and sustainable practices.
Having joined Western Environmental in 2020, Renae has gained invaluable experience in contamination assessments, environmental compliance, and management. Her multifaceted roles as an Environmental Supervisor and Advisor for numerous capital works projects have provided her with a deep understanding of client requirements. Renae’s ability to seamlessly integrate environmental compliance and management practices while addressing client concerns sets her apart as an outstanding professional in the field.
Renae’s passion, expertise, and dedication make her an exceptional choice for any project requiring environmental sustainability and management solutions. With her strong academic background and extensive experience, she is well-equipped to provide comprehensive environmental services that ensure compliance, mitigate risks, and promote sustainable practices.
Benjamin Coughlan Senior Environmental Scientist
Ben is a passionate environmental scientist with over 10 years’ experience in contaminated land and hazardous materials consulting. Ben has worked across a broad spectrum of projects ranging from contaminated land investigations for greenfield developments to decontamination planning for mine closure. Ben is accomplished at managing and delivering a variety of projects including Preliminary Site Investigations, Detailed Site Investigations, Hazardous Building Material Assessments, and the preparation of site management plans and technical specifications.
Ben specialises in the assessment and management of Hazardous Building Materials during ongoing operations, demolition and as part of closure planning for mines and heavy industry. Ben has acquired a unique skillset in the assessment of a range of hazardous materials within buildings, structures, and plant/equipment at manufacturing and industrial sites, including asbestos (all forms), lead, polychlorinated biphenyls, ozone depleting substances, compressed gases, fuels and oils, dusts and residues, contaminated concrete, and radioactivity.
Ben also has a strong understanding of the work health and safety, and environmental regulatory frameworks within Victoria and across Australia pertaining to contaminated sites and hazardous materials. He is also formerly trained in hazard identification and risk assessment and has worked under several different integrated management systems to successfully delivery large field investigation programs without incident or injury. This included a secondment with Ford Motor Company of Australia to manage environment compliance during decommissioning and demolition activities at the former Broadmeadows Assembly Plant.
Ben brings a strong attention to detail to each project he works on and dedicates himself to maintaining a high standard of quality in all deliverables prepared and submitted over the course of a project. In his time within the contaminated land industry, he has also served on the Executive Committee of the Australian Contaminated Land Consultants Association (ACLCA), including in the role as President of ACLCA Victoria in 2020.
Louis Grogan Senior Environmental Scientist
Owing to Louis’ experience and unique skillset, he is an extraordinary and valuable Senior Environmental Scientist responsible for a plethora of facets within the environmental industry, including but not limited to, complex field works, hazardous materials assessments, minor to complex project management and senior level reporting.
Louis commenced his career as an intern in the contaminated land industry in 2018 within the contaminated sites team at a global engineering firm. Following his completion of Bachelor of Science (Environmental Biology) at Curtin University, Louis began as a graduate environmental scientist progressing to environmental scientist after one year. Louis then joined Western Environmental as an experienced environmental scientist in 2021 and in recognition of his work, was promoted to senior environmental scientist in 2022.
Throughout his career, he has been involved in various environmental works across a variety of sectors including mining, hazardous materials, infrastructure, government, aviation, downstream and upstream petrochemical.
Louis has gained extensive knowledge and experience in a range of soil, groundwater, vapour and HAZMAT field investigations. This field experience has allowed Louis to transition into reporting, complex project field lead and a project management position whilst also continuing to train and supervise junior field staff. Louis’ time spent in the industry has given him an understanding of the complex contaminated sites environmental framework. He has spent time seconded at the Public Transport Authority as a contaminated sites officer which furthered his understanding of client needs and expectations for project deliveries.
Louis strives to deliver the most efficient outcome for clients and the local communities.
Dominique Shuttleworth Senior Environmental Scientist / Auditor Assistant
Dominique is a skilled environmental scientist working in the Contaminated Sites team in Bunbury, WA. Dominique has worked on a range of projects across Western Australia, primarily in contaminated sites investigations and audits.
These projects have included the assessment and/or remediation of various land uses, including wastewater treatment sites, landfill facilities, residential/town sites, commercial and industrial facilities.
Tracey Jones Administration and Quality Manager
Tracey is an accomplished delivery assurance manager with an extensive background within professional service firms including; administration, accounts, auditing, quality assurance, health and safety, environmental management and training.
As the Administrative Services Manager, Tracey is responsible for managing the administration of the company so staff can continue to provide the highest quality of service to clients.
With a diploma in quality auditing, Tracey also performs the role of Quality Systems Manager. She is responsible for encouraging, driving and managing a strong, active project delivery assurance culture at the team level to ensure continuous improvement and that projects are performed in accordance with appropriate standards and procedures.
Kristen Holgate Health Safety and Environment Manager
As Health, Safety and Environmental Manager, Kristen is responsible for managing the company’s occupational health, safety environment system and is responsible for guiding the organisation in achieving its work health and safety goals and improving overall HSE performance. Kristen works closely with clients and employees to ensure compliance with health and safety legislation.
National Presence
Legend
Values and Approach
Knowledge: rigorous, curious, always evolving
We pursue excellence in every project, drawing on specialist technical capability, industry-leading safety standards and ongoing professional development to deliver consistently high‑quality work and a strong reputation for results.
Our teams stay ahead of emerging regulation, technologies and best practice so clients can plan with confidence in a rapidly changing landscape.
Integrity: trust built through transparency
We value honesty and reliability, building long-term relationships with clients, regulators and communities based on clear communication, realistic commitments and delivery that matches our promises.
Our advice is independent and evidence-led, ensuring recommendations are made in the best interests of the environment and our clients’ licence to operate.
Join a team where your work makes a real difference.
At Western Environmental, our people are our greatest asset. We’re proud to be an employer of choice, with a culture built on community, knowledge, integrity, and genuine care for one another.
Whether you’re growing your career or looking for your next meaningful opportunity, you’ll be part of a team that values collaboration, supports professional development, and offers industry-leading benefits and opportunities. If you’re motivated by purpose and want to contribute to a company that values both its people and its impact, we’d love to hear from you.
