Independent Project Review
The Clean and Healthy Air for Gladstone Project is being overseen by two independent scientists, Dr Neville Bofinger from the Queensland University of Technology and Professor Brian Priestly, Head of the Australian Centre for Human Health Risk Assessment at Monash University.
Dr Neville Bofinger
The external independent reviewer for the air quality components of the Clean and Healthy Air for Gladstone Project is Dr Neville Bofinger (BSc, PhD, GradDipCompSci).
Dr Bofinger is currently employed at the Queensland University of Technology. Dr Bofinger is also the Vice-President of the International Union of Air Pollution Prevention and Environmental Protection Associations (IUAPPA) and recently chaired the organising committee for the 2007 World Clean Air Congress of IUAPPA. Dr Bofinger is also a former President of the Clean Air Society of Australia and New Zealand.
Dr Bofinger's scientific research focus began in theoretical chemistry (quantum mechanics) and later expanded into air quality, particularly modelling, air chemistry and odour. In addition to lecturing in environmental science, Dr Bofinger authored the first Brisbane Air Quality Strategy (compiled on behalf of Brisbane City Council), and has been actively involved in the development and implementation of the South East Queensland Air Quality Strategy (SEQRAQS).
Dr Bofinger has acted as a consulting air quality specialist to industries in Southeast Queensland and was the air quality expert on the New South Wales State of Environment Advisory Committee. Dr Bofinger has also been called on as an expert witness in the Planning and Environment Court. Dr Bofinger's community interactions include appointments as technical advisor to the Stuart Facilitation Working Group in Gladstone and to the Narangba Industrial Estate Community Reference Group, roles in which he reviewed technical and scientific work and interpreted the results for the groups.
Dr Bofinger has been engaged to review the project workplan and to perform periodic reviews of results and reports related to air quality matters as generated during the project. Dr Bofinger will attend public forums and reference group meetings in Gladstone several times throughout the project.
Professor Brian Priestly
The external independent reviewer for the health component of the Clean and Healthy Air for Gladstone Project is Professor Brian Priestly (BPharm, MPharm, PhD).
Prof. Priestly is a Professorial Fellow in the Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine (DEPM) at Monash University. His primary area of expertise is in toxicology, and he took up the position of Director of the Australian Centre for Human Health Risk Assessment (ACHHRA) in December 2003.
ACHHRA is a university consortium with expertise in toxicology and environmental health sciences. Its core objective is to provide a national focus for human health risk assessment, primarily in the area of food and environment pollutants, and to contribute to workforce development by mounting training programs in health risk assessment.
Prior to leading ACHHRA, Prof. Priestly was Director of the Laboratories Branch in the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) from 2001-2003. From 1992-2001, he was Scientific Director of the chemicals toxicology and chemicals risk management programs of the Commonwealth Health portfolio. Prof. Priestly had overall responsibility for toxicological assessment of pesticides and other toxic chemicals and he provided departmental input into various national and international chemicals' management programs.
Prof. Priestly has been active on several National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and departmental technical committees and working groups over the past 20 years, including the National Drugs and Poisons Committee; Advisory Committee for Pesticides and Health; Advisory Group on Chemical Safety; various Food Safety Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) Scientific Advisory Panels and more recently, he has been invited to chair the NHMRC Advisory Committee on Nanotechnology and Health.
Prof. Priestly has been engaged to review the project at critical decision points. It is anticipated that Prof. Priestly will visit Gladstone at least three times during the term of the project.
Contact Us
For further information contact the department at cleanair.gladstone@epa.qld.gov.au
Last updated: 12 May 2008