Welcome
to 2010
Well, the office has been open for
business this week and fortunately it has been quiet enough for it to
be a good opportunity to tidy up a few remaining things from 2009
and make some preparations for the year ahead. Over the next few
weeks we will be letting you know about the many events coming up, so
stay tuned. If you are planning or are aware of any chemitry related
events over the next month please let the NSW Branch office know so
that these events may be also communicated to our members.
I trust
that our members have enjoyed the christmas and new year holiday period
- and are looking forward to a busy year.
Edwina
Hine
NSW Branch Co-ordinator
NSW
RACI Branch office hours 2010
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday the office is
open.
It will
be easiest to contact the coordinator through the email -I can check
the mail even even I am not in the office
Contaminated Site Assessment Remediation and Management (CSARM) Short
Courses
Module A:Ground
Rules for Contaminated Sites
11th
February – 13th February 2010
This module is one of six in the series developed with the support of
Contaminated Sites Section of DECCW. The modules are designed to
provide opportunities for professionals working in or intending to
enter the field of contaminated site assessment, remediation and
management (CSARM) to update and enhance their knowledge in this
multi-disciplinary area.
Course presenters
Mr N Johnston (Manager Contaminated Sites,
Specialised Regulation, DECCW);
Mr E Wong (Head, Contaminated Sites
Policy Unit, Specialised Regulation, DECCW);
J Burchett (QC);
Mr B
Ryall ( Principal, Ryall Environmental Pty Ltd)
Dr B Markey ( Senior
Environmental Scientist, contaminated land Management Group, Sydney
Water);
Ms K Lloyd ( Director Environmental Solutions, WSP
Environmental Pty Ltd)
Ms E Laginestra (Macquarie University);
Assoc
Prof K Bubna-Litic (Faculty of Law, UTS);
Adj Prof M Burchett (Faculty
of Science, UTS);
Who should attend
All professionals involved in CSARM
o Environmental consultants
o Aspiring site auditors
o Local government officers
o Allied professionals
Course description
The aims of this module are to outline the significance of contaminated
site assessment in decision making through an understanding of the
legislative framework of contaminated land management in NSW, the
existing guidelines and the current technical and scientific approaches
to CSARM. These concepts are illustrated through formal presentations
and through case studies and site visit that illustrate their
application in CSARM.
Anonymous feedback from participants in student satisfaction surveys
conducted in 2009: It was an incredible opportunity to have experts in
their respective fields ..enjoyed the discussions/debates and diversity
of presenters and participants The best aspects of the module included
consideration of the legislative changes – CLM Act; the case studies;
roles and views of different key stakeholders
Module A Program
Day 1 Thursday 11th February 9.00 am – 5.00 pm
Putting CSARM into context -
introduction and overview of global and local developments
Responsibilities of professionals working on contaminated sites in NSW
– legal and regulatory
Case study and site visit to illustrate recommended approaches to CSARM
Day 2
Friday 12th February 9.00 am – 5.00 pm
Legislative framework for contaminated sites – international and
national context
The implications of CLM Act amendment – a critique
Case studies demonstrating applications of legal and regulatory
frameworks
Day 3
Saturday 13th February 9.00 am – 5.00 pm
How to undertake a reliable investigation and risk assessment of
contaminated site
Future directions for sustainable reuse of contaminated sites
Overview of the module
Topics
Legislative framework
Legal and regulatory responsibilities of professionals working on
contaminated sites
Understanding “risk of environmental harm” as driving force in CSARM
Implications of CLM Act amendment 2009
Expected Outcomes
an up-to-date understanding of the relevant Acts and Guidelines;
an understanding of the implications and applications of the frameworks
for professional practice of contaminated site management and reporting
requirements;
from the analysis and evaluation of a number of case studies,
an understanding of ‘risk of environmental harm’ as a driving force in
CSARM.
Course Accreditation
UTS Certificate of Attendance; UTS
Certificate of Attainment (on completion of assessment); Recognition of
Prior Learning for UTS Master of Science (Contaminated Site
Management); Credit towards Professional Development programs
affiliated with Environment Institute Australia New Zealand,
Environmental Health Australia and Engineers Australia
Cost: Course fees per module (GST incl.): $1200 full price, $950 early bird
registration (Closes 22nd January 2010) Fee includes course notes,
tuition, site visit, refreshments and lunches. Discounts available for
multiple modules, UTS Alumni and members of allied professional
societies
Module A - full details
2010
Module calandar
Contact information:
Marea Martlew
Project Officer, University of Technology, Sydney
marea.martlew@uts.edu.au +61 2 9514 1766
11th Australasian Polymer Summer
School (11APSS)
The 11th Australasian Polymer Summer School which will be held at
Queens College, University of Melbourne which is located at 1‐17
College Cres, Parkville, Melbourne.
The conference will run from Tuesday 16 Feb to Friday 19 Feb 2010 and
all food and lodging is provided in the registration cost.
These meetings are coordinated and subsidized by the RACI Polymer
Division and the CRC for Polymers. The meetings are designed to
introduce a range of new and divergent areas of polymers to an audience
of undergraduates, research students and research fellows/industrial
researchers/educators because we know that they will have had a variety
of chemistry, physics, engineering or biological backgrounds and some
may have not attended formal polymer courses. These summer schools aim
to address these problems.
At the 11APSS meeting, the speakers
and topics will be:
A/Prof Sébastien Perrier, Key Centre for Polymers &
Colloids, University of Sydney "Introduction
to polymers: a chemists perspective”
A/Prof Peter Fredericks, School of Physical & Chemical Sciences
Queensland University of Technology “Studying
Polymer Materials by Vibrational Spectroscopy: Applications in
Synthesis,
Processing, Modification and Degradation"
A/Prof Michael J Monteiro, Institute for Bioengineering and
Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland "Living radical polymerization in solution"
Professor Robert G Gilbert, Centre for Nutrition and Food Sciences,
University of Queensland “Synthesis,
structure and property relations for branched polymers: from adhesives
to food”
A/Prof Per B Zetterlund, Centre for Advanced Macromolecular Design
(CAMD), School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, University of New
South Wales "Radical Polymerization
in Dispersed Systems"
A/Prof Graham Edward, Department of Materials Engineering, Monash
University "Polymer Orientation:
Causes, Characterization and Consequences"
A visit to the Australian Synchrotron has also been arranged.
Please see the attached brochure, program and registration form
More
Information
Registration
Further information is available at:
http://www.crcp.com.au
(click on the "Education" tab and then "Polymer summer school")
We are delighted to invite you to
Chemeca 2010, the annual Conference hosted by the Institution of
Chemical Engineers in Australia (IChemE) , Engineers Australia
(EA) , the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI)
and the Society of Chemical Engineers New Zealand (SCENZ)
These bodies represent over 100,000
engineers and chemists working across the world. Chemeca 2010
will interest all those who contribute to the advancement of
technology and the process industries, including scientists,
engineers, manufacturers, suppliers and service professionals.
Chemeca 2010 will not only be a showcase for new knowledge but
also a forum to discuss current issues. It is an excellent
opportunity to listen to and share our vision with leaders of the
profession from industry and academia. Chemeca 2010 also provides
the opportunity for the technology and service providers to promote
their products and services to the sector.
Abstract Submission now open!
Key
Submission Dates: Abstracts1
March 2010 Peer-reviewed papers31
May 2010 Final papers16
August 2010
Other news in Chemistry
It is not uncommon for chemistry related
issues to hit the headlines of the popular media. So how has chemistry
been reported during this week?
Well I am afraid the general public may not have such a favourable view
of some of our work after this week!
I was in two minds whether I should draw these stories to your
attention - but after hearing some of our members where actually
contacted by some media outlets regarding these reports - I thought you
may like to be kept in the loop - as to what people in the community
are hearing about.
Last Sunday it was reported "Drug gangs recruit uni students"
:CHEMISTRY students at some of the State's most prestigious
universities are being propositioned to "cook" drugs by criminals
offering large sums of money for their expertise. The full story can be
found at http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/sunday-telegraph/drug-gangs-recruit-uni-students/story-e6frewt0-1225817650191
Many of you could have also heard news report regarding chemicals in
Baby Bottles and then later in the week Cling Wrap
Stories regarding these topics include
BPA
in food packaging “does not pose a significant health risk”: FSANZ
Consumer
group calls for phase out of certain plastic food packaging
Chemical
fears over baby products, food wrap
Now, I am not
writing of these topics to give a personal opinion on them, rather just
to generate thought on how we as chemists may contribute to such
debates and contribute solutions to similar issues.
As we consider ways to engage with the general public next year during
International Year of Chemistry could we use such issues and concerns
to communicate the good that chemistry can do for society?
I would encourage all members - if they wish to share their thoughts on
these issues and any other relevant chemistry ones to submit
these for publication in this newsletter. Alternatively why not use the
RACI Facebook page to discuss your ideas and thoughts? This week
I have posted some questions regarding " The publics perception of 'top chemists'
" after reading some blog posts on the ABC Science
Education Forum . As we prepare for the IYC I would encourage all of
you to consider ways we can engage with the wider community through our
work as chemists
|
