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Delivering on Recommendation 6.1 from the Victorian Government’s response to the EPA Inquiry
2017–18 highlights
In 2017, EPA welcomed Chief Environmental Scientist (CES) Dr Andrea Hinwood – marking a significant milestone in our work to become a world class regulator.
Since joining EPA, Dr Hinwood has played a key advisory role providing advice to our executives and Governing Board and other senior decision-makers including the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change and Victoria’s Chief Health Officer.
Dr Hinwood also played a critical role in EPA’s response to emergencies – providing advice to communities on potential health impacts during the fire at Coolaroo in Melbourne’s northwest in July 2017 and the peat fires in southwest Victoria in March 2018.
In her first 12 months, Dr Hinwood provided and reviewed more than 90 items of advice and technical information, attended more than 30 community and industry forums and presented at seven conferences.
Over the past 12 months, another key focus for Dr Hinwood and EPA’s Applied Science Directorate has been building EPA’s understanding of emerging contaminants, such as pesticides and per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) in Victoria’s environment. With new industries, infrastructure, changing land uses, population growth and changes to our economy, understanding emerging contaminants is crucial to enhancing our effectiveness as a science-based, preventative regulator.
In the year ahead, Dr Hinwood and her team will focus on strengthening EPA’s scientific base and promoting our expertise through the implementation of our five-year Applied Science Strategy. This strategy is informed by our understanding of emerging issues and capability needs. Priority areas for 2018–19 include a focus on research and development, enhancing our data capture, management and analysis, and developing and implementing risk-based prioritisation processes.
In the past 12 months, the CES has:
Launched the Environmental Science Series, providing community with greater access to science and knowledge
Provided and reviewed over 90 items of advice and technical information
Attended over 30 community and industry forums and presented at 7 conferences
The CES in action
Dr Andrea Hinwood presented events aimed at exploring and discussing topics such as air quality, the impact of urban green areas, transport, planning, noise and water quality. Pictured here with Prof. Mark J Nieuwenhuijsen, special guest speaker at EPA’s Air Quality Forum.
Face to face: Dr Andrea Hinwood speaking with community members at Cobden in Victoria's south-west.
On the air: Explaining EPA's science and answering questions from media and listeners.
On the ground: Dr Andrea Hinwood providing environmental public health advice to emergency services during the south-west fires.
Other stories
Preventing harm in Stawell
Keeping community safe with public health advice
Page last updated on 1 Jul 2019