It gives me great pleasure to inform all members that EHA has enhanced its standing as an original member of the International Federation of Environmental Health (IFEH) following EHA’s attendance and participation at the IFEH World Congress in Las Vegas last year. Following this event the Board has agreed that the annual EHA National Conferences are the ideal forums for IFEH members in the Asia Pacific region to conduct their regional meetings. This initiative will become a permanent feature of all future EHA National Conferences and enables EHA to take the lead in the Asia Pacific region in advocating for improved environmental health standards throughout this region.
EHA is also looking at developing a closer relationship with the US National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) which combined their annual National Conference with the IFEH World Congress last year. There are many positive synergies between our respective national organisations which will be the focus of ongoing discussions with NEHA.
I am also pleased to advise that EHA was invited by SAI Global to participate on their Food Industry Training Advisory Panel. The Panel discussions were around the results of a food industry survey concerning a proposed food safety training course being developed by SAI Global.
The EHA Environmental Health Course Accreditation Panel is diligently working with all the relevant tertiary institutions around the country in assessing the accreditation status of all currently available courses of study. Although this process can be quite time consuming and intense at times it is a credit to EHA Accreditation Panel that this program is on track and that the efficient and thorough course assessment process is well regarded and appreciated by the relevant tertiary institutions.
I was very saddened by the recent loss of Margaret Hind. Margaret was an invaluable Executive Officer undertaking this role for the Queensland, New South Wales and Tasmanian Associations. She was a stalwart of EHA and became trusted friend to many members. Margaret will always be remembered with fondness and respect.
The National Board continues to work diligently towards reconciliation with the EHPA group in Victoria. The EHPA group have yet to accept the EHA Board’s long standing invitation to meet and discuss common issues of concern however this will not dampen our enthusiasm to continue to look for ways to re-unify the profession. This is one of the Board’s key priorities – the reunification of the environmental health profession because there is strength in unity.
I look forward to seeing many of you at the forthcoming 40th National Conference in Sydney later in October.
Mark Dwyer
National President EHA Ltd
Queensland
President's report - Vince Stephens
Greetings Fellow Members from Queensland,
While the birds are chirping in the trees, I am sitting in the sunshine as I write the happenings at EHA (Qld) over the past months. I do note as I am basking, that my fellow EHO’s in the southern States are shivering, cold and wet. Oh well, Queensland, beautiful one day, perfect the next – so it goes.
The year has been busy with the following training courses and schools either conducted or planned for this year: -
Risk Management Training Course in Townsville during February 2015;
Infection Control Course (with an Accreditation Certificate) at the Gold Coast in March 2015;
The Enviro School at Logan in May 2015;
Disaster Management Course in Townsville in August 2015;
Introduction to Mosquito Management in Rockhampton in October 2015; and
Best Practice EH Management in Brisbane around November 2015.
This year EHA (Qld) Inc is holding its Annual State Conference on board the P&O Cruise Company “Pacific Dawn” Cruise Ship from 5 to 8 September 2015. This is a fantastic opportunity for EHOs to experience an “All Hands on Deck” Conference with technical tours and discussion forums on Food Safety, Infection Control, Water Management (Drinking Water, Swimming Pool and Spa Water), Liquid and Solid Waste Management and the issues of Chemical & Poison Storage and Mass Gatherings. This is the most exciting prospect of practical experience and ‘hands on’ environmental health training. Early bird registration are open now. You can register online at www.ehaqld.org.au/events/event/75th-annual-state-conference-2015 .
We have also launched our 2014 Excellence Awards. We are now taking nominations for the Environmental Health Professional of the Year and the Early Career Environmental Health Professional of the Year. Further information and the criteria is available on the web site www.ehaqld.org.au.
Our Regional Groups have been very active also. These groups are the grass roots of the Queensland Association as they are the ‘coal face’ of Environmental Health. We have four (4) Regional Groups and each group has two (2) or three (3) mini-conferences each year. The programs, designed by the Group Convenor and Secretary, specifically address the immediate and local environmental health issues. Already the Darling Downs & South West Group has held a meeting in Kingaroy in March with the next meeting scheduled in Toowoomba in July; the Central Queensland Group held their meeting in Bundaberg; the Northern Group have their meeting scheduled for Ingham in June; and the South East Group have a forum planned for mid-year. These mini-conferences are well supported by all environmental health officers in the particular region.
As we focus on our coming events, we recognise that the National Conference hosted by EHA (NSW) INC in Sydney in October 2015 is quickly approaching. Many of our members are making plans to be in Sydney for this Conference and we look forward to catching up with all our fellow environmental health colleagues from around Australia.
May your winters be short and mild, may you always remember how it feels to have the sun shine on your face and may we see you in October, in Sydney, when the weather is warmer!!
Vince Stephens
President EHA (QLD) Inc.
New South Wales
President's report - Jody Houston
40th National Conference
The 40th National Conference will be held at the Menzies in Sydney on 20th to 23rd October, 2015. The theme “Strength in Unity” will showcase to the nation what environmental health has to offer. The preliminary program is available on the website (www.ehansw.org.au/events/event/40th-eha-national-conference-2015). We have secured Matthew Evans, the SBS presenter of Gourmet Farmer, for the Conference. Matthew will be sharing information on his passion for food and the campaign for seafood labelling.
The 2014 NSW Excellence Awards will be launched in July 2015. All information and criteria for nomination can be located in the web site. This year we are launching the Margaret Hind Memorial Award for non EHOs working in the environmental health industry. If you know someone who is worthy of this award, please make sure a nomination form is forwarded to the EHA (NSW) Inc office.
Representation
National Allergy Strategy
In October 2014, Kristy McCreadie and Mark Nolan from the NSW Board accepted an invitation to represent EHA on the National Allergy Strategy Food Service/Food (NAS) Industry Working Group.
As part of the consultation process on the NAS, working group members were asked to:
1. identify issues with regards to the management of allergic diseases; and
2. identify existing resources and programs.
Feedback was sought from each of the states and comments were received from NSW, WA and QLD. EHA made a submission on the above issues on 18 December 2014. A draft National Allergy Strategy was circulated to working group and a further submission on the draft was made on 18 February 2015. A copy of our submission is available from our website: www.ehansw.org.au/about-us/eha-nsw-inc-news/submissions
In March this year, a pre-budget submission for the National Allergy Strategy was produced. More information on the NAS is available from www.allergy.org.au/national-allergy-strategy
National Ice Taskforce
The National Ice Taskforce has been established in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet to develop the National Ice Action Strategy by the end of 2015. It is being led by the former Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police, Ken Lay APM. EHA (NSW) Inc has representation on this Taskforce through David Durie, Senior Environmental Health Officer, Penrith City Council.
SAI Global
On behalf of the National Board, Lisa Hughes who is one of our NSW Board observers, has been assisting in the development of a new nationally accredited food safety course with SAI Global. This course will be offered to candidates who work in the food service industry who wish to enhance their food safety knowledge.
Both the National and NSW Boards are continuing to assist in the development of this course by providing expert knowledge in food safety and by identifying skills and knowledge shortages in the industry. Watch this space over the coming months to hear about its development and implementation.
Professional Development
The NSW Board is continuing to expand our training programs to provide professional development to EHOs throughout NSW. In an effort to support and facilitate professional development, the NSW Board has allocated a director for each region in NSW as a point of contact for our members. Information is regularly updated to reflect the opportunities available and provide contact details to our members.
Training
POEO in the Park workshop was well attended at the Myall Lakes National Park on 29 and 30 April 2015. The workshop focussed on a range of regulatory and contemporary environmental protection issues. The Workshop was attended by EHOs and other regulatory professionals such as Rangers and Compliance officers who were keen to keep their skills and knowledge on POEO current.
EHA (NSW) INC is conducting a series of emergency management workshops
Emergency Management 2 - Fire and Extreme Heat – 31 August/1 September 2015
Emergency Management 3 - Ebola and Disease Pandemic Management (date to be confirmed)
Other Events
The enHeath Working Group on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Environmental Health in conjunction with NSW Health is facilitating the 10th National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Environmental Health Conference in Coffs Harbour from 12-15 October 2015.
The aim of the conference is to:
Increase the understanding and awareness of environmental health issues in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities;
Provide a forum for discussion on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Environmental Health issues;
Provide a national voice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Environmental Health.
President's Report - Alex Stedman and Helen Psarras
The past few months have seen the EHA SA board working on a number of activities to benefit members. This has involved identifying the needs of professionals and has resulted in setting up several practical and short training sessions.
Training sessions include practical cooling tower inspections. This was full within hours of release highlighting the need for such training for our members. Alongside this we have released a three part series on the legalities of food inspections which includes a moot court attended by legal students and local lawyers.
The state conference subcommittee has been planning for a late November conference which is to be held by the seaside and will provide a low cost, high return opportunity for EHO’s to network and exchange ideas.
Our LGA funded application to enhance knowledge base (a free RIAMS type collection of policies and procedures hosted on the LGASA website) has also received a boost with an extension granted by the LGA. This is allowing us to maximise value by assessing the legal status of each template and presenting this information to members.
On a less pleasant note, the SA government has begun a series of funding cuts within SA Health. This has resulted in across the board job losses and represents a threat to the health service. This may potentially see reduced expenditure in preventative health resulting in increases in clinical expenditure in the future. Is it important that EHASA advocate for our profession by promoting the vital work that we do. EHASA have contacted a number of ministers about this and are still waiting on a response. Needless to say, the shadow minister for health is taking an interest in the outcome.
The Board are looking forward to an active and exciting year ahead.
Alex Steman and Helen Psarras
Co-Presidents EHA (SA) Inc.
Tasmania
President's Report - Alex Woodward
Over the past twelve months the EHA (TAS) INC Board has been addressing a number of issues of behalf of its members including:
Meeting with Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) to discuss a Government Cost Model which will assist FSANZ to estimate and understand the government costs associated with new legislation;
Writing to the new Minister for Health, Michael Ferguson MP to request that the guidelines surrounding skin penetration are updated to reflect current best practice;
Assisting the University of Tasmania work towards re-accreditation of the Batchelor of Health Science (Environmental Health);
Creation and adoption of new membership criteria which specifies the details of eligibility and benefits of each membership class;
Developing our new strategic plan; and
Commencement of our CPD scheme with a number of members presented with certificates at our seminars and state conference.
The EHA Tasmanian Board has continued to facilitate regular quarterly seminars which have included workshops with the EPA regarding all aspects of our Environmental legislation. These workshops have been well attended and are proving to be a successful mode for keeping all members up to date with current issues and legislative change.
Our 2015 State Conference, themed “Environmental Health: The Power of Prevention”, will be held in Devonport from the 2nd – 4th September. We have an excellent line up of speakers and a mock court scenario at the local magistrate’s court, including qualified lawyers, magistrates and actors! The preliminary program and registration form will be available soon. Watch this space!
Finally we are extremely excited about announcing that Tasmania will be hosting the 2016 EHA National Conference. The location and date are yet to be confirmed, but we are sure you will want to be here! Further details about the Tasmanian 2016 EHA National Conference will be launched at the 2015 National Conference in Sydney.
Alex Woodward
President, EHA (TAS) Inc.
Victoria
President's Report - Susan Bennett
EHA Victoria membership has continued to grow at a steady rate since its relaunch in July 2014.
A survey of members was undertaken in February with a further survey currently underway which targets a specific group of members for further clarification. Results will be analysed to identify members’ needs from the organisation and develop a business plan, shaped by its members and that delivers tools identified.
In March, EHA (Victoria) hosted the National EHA face to face meeting in Melbourne. Every state was represented with all state presidents and National Directors present. On the Friday night, EHA (Victoria) hosted a dinner where the National president and I presented ten Life Fellows for previous contributions to EHA and to the profession of environmental health. A further seven have accepted the award but were unable to attend the evening. It was a great honour to present these awards to such committed professionals and to their support.
Dinner with Life Fellows of EHA (Victoria) at the Prahran Hotel, Melbourne Ms. Susan Bennett, President of EHA (Victoria)
Mrs. Heather Gardner and Mr. Mark Dwyer, National President
In May, the Swinburne University Environmental Health course will undergo its accreditation assessment with the panel consisting of state government and local representation, experienced, well respected national environmental health champions lead by Environmental Health Australia’s Phil Swain.
Susan Bennett
President, EHA (Victoria) Ltd
Western Australia
President's Report - Vic Andrich
Environmental Health Workforce – EHA (WA) has been active in workforce projects both state-wide and nationally. EHA (WA) has conducted its own survey of EH workforce. The results were presented at the 2014 state conference and summarised in the December 2014 edition of the Environmental Health WA.
Environmental Health WA journal was published twice in 2014, in full colour. Copies of the Journal are now provided to Doctors surgeries to be made available in the waiting rooms.
FoodSafe Review – EHA (WA) is reviewing and modernising the FoodSafe Food Handler Training Program. The review includes the production of a new video and workbooks. The filming of the video is expected to be completed this month and the workbooks thereafter. The revised versions will include issues related to allergies and labelling.
2015 WA State Conference is planned from 2nd - 4th September at Crown Convention Centre with Workshops planned for the 4th September 2015. An exciting program is being developed so this is one conference you will not want to miss. Conference Details, Registrations and Workshops information is available on-line on the EHA (WA) Website.
EHA (WA) is also developing a series of one day workshops that will be spaced throughout the year. Workshops being planned for 2015 (so far) included:
Burnwise Seminar (in conjunction with Department of Environment Regulation)
Business Continuity
Noise
Food Poisoning Outbreak Investigation
Plumbing
Reviews and Submissions
EHA (WA) conducted reviews and provided submissions on the following:
FoodSafe Review - Review looking at modernising and updating FoodSafe. (Current)
State Planning Policy 4.1 Land use planning in vicinity of Perth Airport
Waste Avoidance & Resource Recovery Act
Public Health Bill 2015 (Now in WA Parliament)
Temporary Structures - ABCB Standard
Draft Guidance Statement on Regulatory Principles – Department of Environment Regulation
National Allergy Strategy – Anaphylaxis & Allergies Australia
Vic Andrich
President, EHA (WA) Inc.
Accreditation
National Environmental Health Course Accreditation Progressing Well
EHA’s Environmental Health Course Accreditation programme is progressing well with Accreditations under the new enHealth supported Accreditation Policy being completed or commenced at six Universities throughout Australia;
Griffith University (Qld)– December 2013 (Trial Site for new policy);
Queensland University of Technology (Post Graduate Course) - December 2013 (Trial Site for new policy);
Flinders University (SA) (Post Graduate Course) - September 2014;
University of Western Sydney – February 2015;
Edith Cowan University - March 2015;
Swinburne University - May 2015;
Commenting on the programme EHA National President Mark Dwyer said, “We are very grateful to all academic staff at universities for their hard work and professionalism in progressing the accreditations, and in particular to Griffiths University and Queensland University of Technology staff for their assistance in trialing the new policy. We are also indebted to the many Environmental Health Professionals that have given up their valuable time to assist on the Accreditation Panels. We look forward to completion of the current round of accreditations to ensure all courses are accredited and producing the very best EH graduates.”
EHA supports entry into the environmental health field across Australia, through the Tertiary Sector, by accrediting all courses in undergraduate, or postgraduate study. Universities routinely set academic requirements for programs/courses having regard to the advice from relevant professional bodies, employer groups, and from peer review processes. EHA is integral to this process and the accreditation programme is designed to support universities to develop and/or maintain comprehensive environmental health courses which meet industry needs and compliment university processes.
EHA developed a course accreditation policy in 2006 based on best practice at the time. In 2009 enHealth released the national ‘Environmental Health Officer Skills and Knowledge Matrix’ as a benchmark for the minimum level of skills and knowledge required by a competent EHO’s. EHA and enHealth undertook a joint project in 2012 and EHA’s accreditation policy was updated to be consistent with the enHealth matrix, and was adopted in June 2014.
This policy outlines the skills and knowledge universities must demonstrate are being developed through their environmental health course. Courses at the University of Tasmania, and Curtin University (WA) (Post Graduate Course) will be accredited in the coming months. There have also been substantial changes to some other courses and EHA is progressing the necessary assessments to re-accredit courses where necessary.
Presentation of the EHA Accreditation Certificate for the University of Western Sydney for the Bachelor of Natural Science (Environment and Health). Pictured above is: Stuart Nunn, Vice President EHA (NSW) Inc; Jody Houston, President EHA (NSW) Inc; Dr Trevor Bailey, Deputy Dean School of Science and Heath; and Rosemary Nicholson, Academic Course Advisor.
News in Brief...
World Environmental Health Day - Saturday 25th September 2015
The theme for this year World Environmental Health Day is:
Children are our future
let’s protect their Environment and Health
DER Burnwise Training Collie, 18-19 June 2015, Shire of Collie
DER Burnwise Training Mandurah, 24 June 2015, City of Mandurah
69th WA State EH Conference, 2-4 September 2015, Crown Perth
ABCB Temporary Structures Standard Final Draft
Dear temporary structures project stakeholders
In November last year, you were provided with a draft ABCB Standard for Temporary Structure for review and comment. I am now writing to thank you for feedback in relation to the draft Standard and to provide you with an update on this project.
The final draft Standard will now be forwarded to the ABCB Board for its agreement for the Standard to proceed to publication. However, it should be noted that if Board endorsement is received for the final draft of the Standard to proceed to publication, adoption and application of the Standard is for the determination of each State or Territory authority responsible for regulatory matters associated with temporary structures and may be subject to legislative/transitional arrangements. Any queries on such matters should be sought from the relevant State or Territory authority (see Appendix B of the draft Standard).
I thank you for your continuing interest in this matter. I will keep you informed of developments as they occur. If you have any questions, please contact me.
Regards
Simon Croft
Project Officer
Australian Building Codes Board
_________________________________
GPO Box 9839
Canberra ACT 2601
Phone: +61 2 6213 7052
Email: Simon.Croft@abcb.gov.au
Website: www.abcb.gov.au
ABN 74 599 608 295
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