Hunter Environmental Institute

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Newcastle, NSW
Hunter Environmental Institute

Our vision is to develop partnerships with industry and community through environmental conversations. New website at https://www.hei.org.au

10/06/2026

It’s happening today! If you haven’t seen, we are hosting a site visit and information session at the Belmont Desalination Plant. You’ll speak to the professionals from John Holland involved in the works pre-approval and on-ground, learn about the environmental challenges, and how they are being managed on a day-to-day basis. We will have guest speakers from University of Newcastle to discuss a very interesting topic on brine.

Time: 2pm - 4pm
Where: details on access and parking is provided after registration.
Required: PPE - please wear protective clothing to ensure your safety.

If you haven’t yet, grab your tickets using the QR code, or through our website: https://www.hei.org.au/seminars

Following this event, please join us around the corner at the EIANZ EnviroDrinks for June 2026, which will be held at the Gunyah Hotel in Belmont. We have a great list of attendee’s and would love to see more of your faces there!
�Time: 5pm - 7pm�Location: Gunyah Hotel, 644 Pacific Hwy, Belmont
Register via the EIANZ Website: https://www.eianz.org/events/event/nsw-enviro-drinks-june-2026

Please note the venue is different from the usual location, which is in closer proximity to our site visit.

Thank you to Hunter Water, John Holland, and University of Newcastle for allowing this event to happen - and to EIANZ for collaborating on EnviroDrinks!

01/06/2026

Join us for a guided site visit and expert talk at the Belmont Desalination Plant on Thursday 11 June 2026.

This event will provide an opportunity to learn more about the project, hear from Professor Donne from the University of Newcastle on opportunities for brine reuse and speak directly with the project team about key environmental challenges, sustainability initiatives and compliance requirements.

Places are limited and registration is essential. Please scan the QR code for more information about the event, and ticketing.

We're pleased to be partnering with Hunter Water, John Holland and the University of Newcastle to explore innovation in water management and sustainability.

15/03/2026

We are thrilled to welcome three new members to the HEI Committee! Get to know them below, and keep an eye out for them at our upcoming events. You can also view our full committee on our website: https://www.hei.org.au/our-committee

Bridie McWhirter
Bridie is a Senior Environmental Consultant at Umwelt, bringing over 10 years of experience in environmental impact assessment and management. She specialises in large-scale, multidisciplinary resource developments under the NSW State Significant Development planning pathway and is known for her collaborative approach and strong stakeholder engagement skills. Bridie is also a Certified Environmental Auditor and holds a Diploma of Project Management. We are so excited to have her on board!

Kai Neville
Kai is an experienced environmental and sustainability professional with ten years of experience spanning major infrastructure, government, extractive industry and consulting. He specialises in delivering practical, high-impact environmental outcomes and brings a strong blend of technical capability, strategic thinking and on-the-ground project experience. With postgraduate qualifications in Environment and Business Management, Kai is passionate about shaping resilient, sustainable infrastructure. Welcome, Kai!

Mathew Billings
Mat is a Principal Environmental Consultant and risk management leader with more than 25 years of experience across major infrastructure projects. Currently working with Healthy Buildings International, Mat divides his time between environmental representative and auditing roles and business development. He brings a wealth of knowledge in management systems, governance frameworks and corporate risk, along with a strong commitment to leadership and developing the next generation of environmental professionals. We are so glad to have him on the committee!

13/03/2026

What a night! Thank you to everyone who joined us at the EIANZ Envirodrinks last night, hosted in collaboration with HEI at the Clarendon Hotel, Newcastle.

It was so wonderful to see such a diverse mix of organisations come together — AECOM, Atlantech, City of Newcastle, SLR, ERM, Becca, RestoreAG, Hunter Joint Organisation, and many more. The turnout is a true reflection of the Hunter region's commitment to advancing environmental management skills and networks.

A huge thank you to Apical Environmental Services for sponsoring the event and keeping us fed with pizza!
We also handed out the first round of our 2025 merchandise — keep cups and water bottles, all made from recycled materials! Check out our previous post for details on how to get yours.

Here's to a big year ahead of events, connections, and community. We can't wait to see you all at the next one!

08/03/2026

2026 brings new and exciting things.. and this includes merchandise! We have designed keep cups and water bottles, made with recycled materials, to help reduce waste while keeping you hydrated (or caffeinated!).

From 2026 onwards, all paid HEI memberships will include your choice of:
• a 12oz travel coffee cup, or
• a 600ml drink bottle

If you choose one this year, you can grab the other when you renew your membership next year! Check out our membership options on our website: https://www.hei.org.au/memberships, where students can become members for FREE and our standard membership comes at an annual cost of $40.

Already a member or just want one anyway? You can purchase them for $10 each.

Your new sustainable merch can be:
• Picked up at one of our upcoming events, or
• Posted to you (cost of postage applies)

To arrange pick-up or postage, please email: [email protected]

We will be attending the EIANZ / HEI EnviroDrinks next Thursday 12 March and will have this Merch with us - so feel free to buy one while you are there!

Join us in reducing waste, supporting HEI, and repping the environmental community across the Hunter.

07/03/2026

This International Women’s Day, we want to recognise and celebrate the incredible women on the Hunter Environmental Institute committee who generously volunteer their time to support and strengthen the environmental community across the Newcastle and Hunter region.

A huge thank you to Tracey Doczy, Lucy Stanton, Alina Neilson and Bridie McWhirter for the passion, dedication and leadership you bring to HEI. Through organising engaging events, creating opportunities for connection and knowledge sharing, and championing environmental conversations in our region, your contributions make a lasting impact on the community and the next generation of environmental professionals.

Women in environmental science and STEM continue to shape the future of our industries, bringing expertise, collaboration and innovation to some of the most important challenges facing our world. Beyond their professional achievements, these women also balance many other roles as mothers, daughters, partners, mentors and carers, showing every day the strength, resilience and compassion that make our community stronger.

Today we celebrate the women who help lead our industry forward and inspire those who will follow. Thank you for everything you do for HEI and for the environmental sector more broadly.

Happy International Women’s Day 2026!

01/03/2026

Looking to kick-start your environmental career in 2026? Are you a current university student wanting to expand your network, meet new people in the industry, and gain practical experience alongside your studies?
The Hunter Environmental Institute Internship Program offers hands-on event experience, mentoring from environmental professionals, networking opportunities across the Hunter region, and the chance to build real-world skills that will set you apart as you enter the workforce.

This is a fantastic opportunity to get involved in committee activities, grow your professional confidence, and connect with like-minded students and industry professionals who share your passion for the environment.

- Applications close 20 March 2026
- Interviews will follow shortly after
- Learn more and apply via the link in the graphic

Take the next step in your environmental journey, we can’t wait to see your application. Reach out if you have any questions!

22/02/2026

Join us for the Autumn EIANZ Envirodrinks at the Clarendon Hotel, Newcastle, on Thursday 12 March 2026!

In collaboration with EIANZ Australia, this is a great opportunity to connect with colleagues in the same industry, meet committee members, expand your network, and catch up with colleagues in a relaxed setting.

Whether you're a long-time member, environmental professional, or new to the industry, we’d love to see you there for an evening of conversation and connection. If you are unable to make this event, Envirodrinks are run four times a year - one every quarter.

Register via the link: https://www.eianz.org/events/event/nsw-enviro-drinks-march-2026

We can't wait to see you there.

Make sure to keep an eye out for our socials posts, we have some exciting events this year!

06/01/2026

Happy New Year 2026 from the Hunter Environmental Institute!

As we step into 2026, we’re reflecting on an incredible year of connection, learning, and collaboration across the Hunter region. In 2025, HEI proudly delivered a range of engaging events, including:
- A Place Called Hollywood, viewed at Newcastle Museum
- Careers in the Environment at the University of Newcastle
- M1 to Raymond Terrace (M12RT) Project Site Tour
- The use of AI in the Environment seminar

All of these events are available to view on the Events page on our website, including those from previous years: https://www.hei.org.au/seminars

These events helped shape a successful year, fostering important conversations for both current environmental professionals and undergraduate students. The momentum and ideas generated throughout the year are already inspiring what’s ahead for HEI and our members.

Keep an eye out for our Q1 event announcement coming soon — we can’t wait to share what’s next. Here’s to another year of learning, collaboration, and positive environmental impact!

Address

Newcastle, NSW

Telephone

+61407757756

Website

https://www.hei.org.au/

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