Wednesday 14 December 2005

Three Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) staff members were recently recognised as Certified Environmental Practitioners under a new programme launched by the Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand.

Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand President Bill Haylock said the scheme was aimed at boosting community and business confidence in environmental professionals.

“The Certified Environmental Practitioner programme provides an opportunity for environmental professionals to be given due recognition in line with their professional counterparts from engineering, accounting, planning and architecture,” he said.

“Certified practitioners must meet high standards of professional and ethical conduct, and it is anticipated the scheme will drive environmental practice to new levels.”

GBRMPA Manager of Environmental Impact Management Dr Adam Smith said the team welcomed the Certified Environmental Practitioners programme.

“The programme is important in recognising GBRMPA staff expertise and ethical conduct, as well as best practice environmental management,” he said.

GBRMPA Environmental Impact Management staff currently accepted under the programme are Manager Dr Adam Smith, Project Manager Mackay/ Capricorn Coast Phil Koloi, and Project Manager Ports Andrew Costen.

To qualify for the Certified Environmental Practitioner programme, minimum requirements include:

• Holding an environment-related degree
• Five years of relevant environmental experience over the past ten years
• A signed statement of ethical conduct
• A commitment to a minimum over two years of 50 hours of continued professional development
• Referees to support the application.

A high resolution photograph of the three GBRMPA staff who were recognised as Certified Environmental Practitioners is available by emailing media@gbrmpa.gov.au or contacting the Communication Unit on the below phone numbers.