Science, Technology and Engineering

Environmental Geoscience

Graduates

Meredith Anderson

Environmental Officer (Sustainability), Thuringowa City Council

I completed my degree in 2000, and since this time I have worked as an Extension Officer in the sugar industry, and now with Thuringowa City Council, located in North Queensland in the Dry Tropics. As a Sustainability Officer, I am responsible for various aspects within Council, including compliance with the Environmental Protection Agency, and various sustainable programs including the Cities for Climate Protection Program.

As the Council operates under the Environmental Protection Act in relation to it's Landfills, Workshop Depot and Sewage Treatment Plants, I ensure that the Councils' Integrated Environmental Management System operates under compliance conditions and that the managers of relevant departments attend meetings and submit necessary reports.

The Cities for Climate Protection Program is an International Program that assists councils committment to greenhouse gas abatement. More than 200 Councils within Australia are involved in the program, all striving towards greenhouse gas reduction. I am responsible for driving the program, in which the Council actively implements actions to reduce energy, fuel, water use and waste, reporting on abatement and developing cost benefit analyses of the various projects.

My other job roles include advice on Development Assessments, attending events and providing information to the community, funding applications for environmental initiatives, production of promotional material including media releases, and any other sustainable initiatives that the Council is interested in pursuing.