This is the second part of our conversation on the legislative framework of the circular economy and its impact on engineers’ ability to provide sustainable solutions to current industrial challenges. In this session, we will explore practical applications of circular economy principles across three key stages of engineering: design, construction, and decommissioning.  

Through these three stages—design, construction, and decommissioning—we will illustrate how circular economy principles can be effectively integrated into engineering practices. By adopting these strategies, we can overcome barriers to circularity and pave the way for a more sustainable and resilient future.  

Part 1: Design

Our first segment will focus on the critical role of design in the circular economy. We will examine a case study on the resource recovery of organics from solid and liquid waste for use in the agricultural sector. This case study will highlight innovative design strategies that enhance material recoverability and promote sustainable agricultural practices.  

Part 2: Construction

Next, we will delve into the construction phase, showcasing the use of sustainable materials in road and rail projects. We will discuss green deals for green roads, railways, and ports, demonstrating how these initiatives contribute to reducing environmental impact and promoting circularity in infrastructure development.  

Part 3: Decommissioning

Finally, we will address the decommissioning stage, with a focus on the recent decommissioning and remediation of the oil and gas facility on Thevenard Island, completed in early 2023. This project exemplifies an environmentally sustainable approach to managing redundant cement-containing materials through on-site reuse. Key focus items include material recovery, emission reduction and regulatory compliance.

Learning Outcomes

1. Understanding Circular Economy Design Principles

Participants will gain insights into how innovative design strategies can enhance material recoverability and promote sustainable practices, particularly through a case study on resource recovery of organics from solid and liquid waste for agricultural use.

2. Application of Sustainable Materials in Construction

Attendees will learn about the implementation of   sustainable materials in road and rail projects, including green deals for   infrastructure development. This will illustrate how circular economy   principles can be integrated into construction to reduce environmental   impact.

3. Sustainable Decommissioning Practices:

The presentation will provide an in-depth look at the decommissioning and remediation of the oil   and gas facility on Thevenard Island. Participants will understand the   processes and benefits of on-site reuse of construction materials, regulatory  compliance, and the reduction of emissions through sustainable  decommissioning practices.

About the Speakers

Kendall Ferraro
Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Lead
Tessele Consultants
Kendall is a versatile Senior Chemical/Process Engineer, committed to creating high impact in the circular economy and resource recovery sector. She is skilled at leading change for improvements, evident through all her roles in commissioning, operations, project engineering, design and leadership. Her career to date has largely been focussed on resource recovery (wastewater) technical operations, but has also included water, renewable energy and oil and gas. Her experience includes operations, troubleshooting and optimisation, business improvements, commissioning, project and design engineering, and stakeholder management.

Peter Damen
Managing Director
Level 5 Design Pty Ltd
Peter is experienced senior executive that is passionate about getting the best possible outcomes for Australia. He has demonstrated success in building sustainable businesses with a strong emphasis on improving performance and getting better outcomes. Peter has been involved in many of the nation's largest infrastructure projects and actively contributed to achieving better outcomes from the $200 billion national road asset. This includes being sufficient forward looking and innovative to adequately prepare the nation for changing technology and community expectations.

Jennifer Brauhart
Remediation Specialist
ABU Asset Retirement Chevron Australia
Jennifer Brauhart graduated from UNSW Sydney with a Bachelor of Applied Science (Geology) with Honours (Hydrogeology). With more than 25 years of career experience in hydrogeology, natural resource management, environmental science, contaminated site assessment and remediation, Jennifer had undertaken roles in government, environmental consulting and the oil and gas industry across Australia. In her current role, she is a remediation subject matter expert with Chevron Australia. Jennifer is responsible for management of environmental monitoring, contaminated site investigation, human health and ecological risk assessment and remediation across Chevron’s Australian Assets with a key focus on the development and execution of remediation management strategies to support decommissioning of redundant assets and site re-classification.