Driven by Innovation. Defined by Performance.
We pair deep technical expertise with innovative thinking to solve complex environmental challenges with clarity and confidence.
Our Story
Established in 2011, Western Environmental emerged from humble beginnings — a mezzanine office above a noisy industrial laboratory with a fold-out table, secondhand computers and a printer perched atop a cardboard box. The most vital component, however, was the shared vision that united our founding directors — the application of rigorous science and technical expertise to deliver intelligent and pragmatic environmental outcomes.
That shared vision has been central to our ongoing journey — resonating with clients and quickly establishing us as a sought-after and valued collaborative partner for delivering complex environmental projects. In 2018, we opened our first interstate office in Melbourne to meet the demands of our high-value clients. This was followed by our Brisbane office in 2024, extending our reach to all corners of Australia — an intentional growth strategy focused on being where our clients need us to be.
As our reputation and project portfolio have grown, so too has our focus, expanding across multiple geographies and environmental disciplines. Yet through it all, we’ve always been guided by the same vision — combining deep technical expertise with genuinely innovative solutions. We invested in building our capabilities during the early-phase of PFAS management in Australia, developing intelligent and pragmatic assessment and treatment methods. This is one of our defining strengths — seeking out complexity and applying our knowledge to develop globally recognised, industry-leading expertise — which led to our first major international project award in 2023, taking our extensive PFAS knowledge into the US market.
In 2026, we launched our Environmental Technology division, created specifically to find solutions for the most complex, emerging environmental challenges, accompanied by our Innovation Hub — our first international office in Southeast Asia. This extends our remit to new frontiers in applied research and technology development for emerging contaminants and recalcitrant waste treatment. It’s a deliberate response to a rapidly changing world — by harnessing cutting-edge tools like AI to develop unique insights, and adding even deeper technical expertise in applied science, we’ve built a fully integrated environmental problem-solving capability that is second to none.
More than a decade on, the fundamentals haven’t changed — and they never will. We back rigorous science. We back our people, and we back the clients who trust us with their most difficult problems. As new contaminants emerge, the world continues to change, and our clients keep pushing into new markets, we’ll keep investing in the science, the technology, and the people needed to stay ahead of what’s still to come.
We don’t respond to change. We lead it.
professionals located across multiple jurisdictions, combining local knowledge with global expertise.
strategically located offices across Australia and internationally.
complex and high-risk projects successfully delivered since 2011
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).
Dave Thomas Senior Principal Environmental Engineer
Dave Thomas is one of Australia’s most authoritative voices in contaminated land and groundwater — a contaminant hydrogeologist whose 35-year career across oil and gas, resources and heavy industry, in Australia and globally, has reshaped how regulators, courts and industry approach environmental risk and liability.
Dave holds an MSc in Hydrogeology from the University of Waterloo, is a Chartered Professional Engineer and Fellow of Engineers Australia, and has served as a WA Government-accredited Contaminated Sites Auditor. He has also been appointed by the WA Minister for the Environment to the State Contaminated Sites Committee (the body that legally apportions remediation responsibility), has chaired the national LNAPL Forum, and sat on the expert panel that revised Australia’s NEPM health screening levels for petroleum hydrocarbons — helping to author the standards that industry now works to.
His key specialisation is working on the most difficult and impacted sites — turning deep technical insight into pragmatic pathways for action that are also commercially advantageous. By building the evidence and regulator relationships needed to replace costly active remediation with more pragmatic, lower-intensity solutions, Dave has delivered more than $130 million in savings on complex contaminated sites, while strengthening — not straining — his clients’ standing with regulators.
Through Western Environmental, clients gain direct access to this rare blend of deep hydrogeological expertise, auditor-grade technical judgement and proven negotiating credibility — the difference between a defensible, cost-effective closure and an open-ended liability.
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.
Matthew Lenahan Senior Principal Geochemist / Hydrogeologist
Dr Lenahan is a qualified geochemist and hydrogeologist with more than 20 years’ experience investigating the physicochemical controls on soil, surface water and groundwater quality. He has worked across Australia and internationally in consulting, government and academic research roles, with extensive experience supporting major mining, oil and gas, industrial, water resource, government and contaminated land projects. His specialisations include applied hydro-geochemistry, geochemistry, hydrogeology, biogeochemistry and numerical modelling — techniques he uses to investigate environmental impacts and implications, identify operational risks such as corrosion, scaling and biological fouling, and assess options for long-term water quality outcomes.
His expertise extends to contaminant source-pathway-fate assessment, geochemical characterisation of mine and industrial waste materials, mine drainage and seepage assessment, pit and void water quality prediction, groundwater flow modelling, geochemical and chemical reaction modelling, reactive solute transport modelling, isotope and environmental tracer investigations, PFAS investigations, and contaminated land assessments. He is regularly engaged to advise clients on environmental implications and risks, support regulator engagement and approvals, provide litigation support, and assess options for managing and mitigating impacts.
He has authored or co-authored peer-reviewed government guidelines, numerous government publications, and articles and papers for international journals and conferences, and regularly provides peer review for high-impact international journals as well as third-party expert review of technical submissions to environmental regulators.
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.
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.
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.
Blair Cummings Associate Environmental Scientist
Blair Cummings
Associate Environmental Scientist
Blair is a seasoned environmental professional with over 16 years’ experience in contaminated land assessment, PFAS investigations, waste classification and remediation. His career spans complex projects across the aviation, defence, landfill, local government, major infrastructure, industrial and property development sectors throughout Australia. His broad site contamination expertise, and understanding of how environmental science, engineering and development interact, enable him to provide clear, defensible and outcome-focused advice across diverse project environments.
He has extensive experience guiding projects from early site assessment and due diligence through to detailed investigation, remediation and construction, having worked across linear infrastructure and complex brownfield redevelopment projects in Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia and Tasmania — navigating the requirements and guidance of EPA Victoria and NSW EPA. This strong appreciation of regulatory, technical and development considerations supports effective risk management, practical decision-making and successful project progression.
Blair combines technical rigour with strong project leadership and communication skills, shaping investigation and remediation strategies, directing multidisciplinary teams and contractors, and engaging with clients, stakeholders and regulators to maintain alignment throughout the project lifecycle. His ability to interpret complex environmental information and translate it into well-structured, audit-ready reporting and practical recommendations has consistently supported compliant, efficient and defensible project outcomes.
National Presence
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.Culture & Community: fulfilled & engaged employees
We seek to create fulfilled & engaged employees with secure and balanced work lives and provide a meaningful and sustainable contribution to the community and environments in which we operate. We make the world a better place.
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.
