About Our Committee

Fiona has over 20 years’ experience as an environmental professional and is currently working as a Principal Environmental Planner for the Port Authority of NSW. Fiona has a wide range of experience and skills, specialising in environmental impact assessment and environmental approvals. Fiona is a Registered Environmental Assessment Practitioner (REAP) and Certified Environmental Practitioner – Impact Assessment Specialist (CEnvP-IA). She has worked for both the public and private sector on both large and small linear and other infrastructure projects, through all stages of development including feasibility and options, environmental impact assessment and construction and/or operation, with an aim of delivering projects with good, practical environmental outcomes. She has worked on a range of projects including renewables, road and rail infrastructure, water and port infrastructure and lubricant blending plants. Fiona joined the HEI committee in 2018 and has been the Chairperson since 2023, with a focus on providing opportunities for further education and networking for environmental professionals and the community in the Hunter.

Alina has nine years experience in environmental consulting on a variety of projects across a broad range of industries including energy, resources and transport. Alina holds a Bachelor of Environmental Science and Management and a Master of Environmental Management and Sustainability from University of Newcastle. Alina is a Senior Environmental Consultant at EPS skilled in the management and environmental assessment of local, regional and state significant projects throughout Australia. Prior to EPS, Alina worked professionally both in the public sector and for private tier-one international consulting firms. During her seven years at EPS, Alina has developed her project management and technical capabilities by working on complex multi-disciplinary renewable energy, ecotourism and infrastructure projects.

Shifaan is an Environmental Scientist with an Honours in his Marine Science major from the University of Newcastle. With a deep admiration for research in environmental and marine sciences, Shifaan currently works for the NSW Department of Primary Industries under Biosecurity & Food Safety, employed by the Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute (EMAI) in Menangle. Shifaan has previously worked at Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters as a Fishkeeper and has furthered himself deeper into scientific research of marine fauna since then. Currently, Shifaan's primary role under Biosecurity sees him help further scientific research on the NSW Qx Disease affecting the state's oysters, predominantly at Port Stephens estuary. Previously, Shifaan has assisted in the Varroa Mite Emergency Response on the state's honeybees, while currently being involved in eDNA research at EMAI. Having previously conducted research on the coral reefs at Vanuatu and Norfolk Island – for research alongside the University of Newcastle, Shifaan has come to develop an obsessive interest towards coral reefs and a passion for animals and marine ecosystems.

Lachlan is an Environmental Professional working at WaterNSW in the Strategy and Performance space. Lachlan built a career over the past 20 years in the private sector specialising in Process Improvement, Business Strategy, Relationship Management and Sales and Customer Service. He now dedicates these acquired skills to improving System Resilience in the Water Sector. Lachlan enjoys helping people connect to other like-minded professionals and guiding young people as they navigate their pathway at the start of their careers. He gets to do just that as the HEI Intern Manager.

Bernadette is an environmental scientist within WSP’s NSW and ACT Planning and Approvals team, based in Newcastle. She has experience working with specialists and engineering disciplines to prepare environmental assessments for a range of projects. Bernadette has a passion for creating and supporting opportunities for young professionals in the Hunter, and she enjoys the opportunity that her career provides her to work on complex projects in the region.

Clare is an Urban Planner with over 7 years of experience in environmental assessment and approvals for a range of large scale infrastructure and renewable energy projects as well as residential, industrial, commercial developments. She is currently in a team at the Department of Planning Housing and Infrastructure working on state led rezoning and master planning across NSW.

Jess is an Environmental Scientist. She has 8 years industry experience and is currently residing in Newcastle. She has experience in environmental management and assessment with the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE), under the Resources Regulator. She worked at Hunter Water for ~3 years working as a bushfire officer and later, a Network Operations Engineer. She has consulting experience, this has included preparation of Environmental Impact Statements (EIS), Statement of Environmental Effects (SEE), Minor and Review of Environmental Factors (MW REF/REFs), Construction Environmental Management Plans (CEMP), Management Plans (including EMS, EMP, Extraction, etc.) and Independent Environmental Audits (IEA) for mining and extraction, renewable energy, and transport clients. She has experience internationally. She travelled to South America, Cusco, to work as an intern for Cusco University, undertaking water management research and community outreach waste management. She was also involved in researching mammal habitats, behaviour, and other ecological processes, including community education throughout the Amazon for several months. She has a passion for bushfire management and operations and is undertaking post graduate certificate in Bushfire Protection at Western University. Currently, she is working at Kleinfelder in the Environmental Approvals team as an Environmental Advisor, with the overall goal to build the bushfire management space once she obtains BPAD 3 certification.

Lucy is a Graduate Environmental Specialist at Engeny, working within the Environmental Management and Approvals team, and has previous career experience in the town planning sector. Since graduating in 2023, Lucy has garnered diverse industry experience with skills in GIS Spatial Analysis software, alongwith preparing a range of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), environmental investigations, and determining planning approval pathways, focusing on water-related projects across the private, local, and government sectors. Her professional journey in the Environmental space is fuelled by a commitment to honouring her environmental stewardship by finding innovative and sustainable outcomes. She is constantly expanding her knowledge and working towards a nature positive society to ensure future generations inherit a pristine and vibrant natural environment.

Troy took up a lecturing position at the University of Newcastle in 2012 (School of Environmental and Life Sciences) after spending 7 years at the National Centre for marine Conservation and Resource Sustainability at the University of Tasmania. Troy is currently a member of the Australian Marine Sciences Association NSW Branch Committee, Hunter Water Customer and Community Advisory Committee, Port Stephens and Great Lakes Marine Park Advisory Committee, Central Coast Council Terrigal Sub-Catchment Water Quality Committee. A/Prof Gaston has over 20 years experience in estuarine ecology and investigating ecosystem functioning. Degraded ecosystems are a global issue and targeting on-ground works for habitat and ecosystem repair will be paramount to ensure recovery of estuarine and coastal systems. As such, much of A/Prof Gaston’s work has been the use novel chemical tracers to determine the relative importance of different nutrient sources and habitats to ecosystem functioning. He has worked with a wide range of entities including local councils, state and commonwealth government, industry and NGO’s across NSW, Tasmania and Queensland.

Simon is a Technical Director - Environment located in GHD’s Newcastle office. He has over 25 years’ experience in the provision of environmental consulting services to a wide client base, including road, rail, Defence, ports, water, sewer, power lines, mining and industrial operations. Simon’s key strengths include options assessments for major linear infrastructure, development of environmental planning strategies and environmental impact assessment at both State and Commonwealth levels. Simon has also had considerable experience in the post approval phases of projects including consistency reviews, modifications, approvals compliance and management plans for the construction phases of large projects.

My name is Fiona Collins, and I am currently in my second year at the University of Newcastle studying my Bachelor of Science. In this degree, I chose to major in Biodiversity and Conservation, as I have always had a profound fascination and appreciation for the natural environment that surrounds us. A little thing about me is that I love to spend time outdoors doing all sorts of things like camping, hiking, and going to the beach. So far throughout my degree I have been lucky enough to go on several field trips, and even a camping trip! Outside of Uni I work as a bartender at a lovely venue on Honeysuckle which is also lots of fun. I am so incredibly excited to be given the opportunity to be HEI’s intern this year, and be able to learn and work alongside so many professionals in the field.