James Anstey

Environmental Officer, Compliance and Enforcement Directorate

In addition to working in the office, a bonus of working for the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) is the option to do up to 50% of your work from home.

5.30 AM

Alarm goes off! It is time to get ready for the day. Today I’ve got a busy day out in the field inspecting a mine site and visiting stakeholders, an early start is key.

The inspection is outside the metropolitan area. The team and I travelled here yesterday and stayed last night in the closest town to arrive at the mine site as early as possible. This is not always standard procedure, it depends on the location.

6.30 AM

I’m dressed and ready to meet my team at a cafe for breakfast and a much-needed coffee. Before setting off, we hold a final discussion about the day’s plans and the itinerary and inform the department of our movements.

7.00 AM

Arrive at the mine site. This site is due for an annual inspection as per their environmental licence.

7.30 AM

Following a safety briefing as well as general housekeeping from the site’s safety coordinator we are shown the areas of interest.

Every mine site is different, depending on the mineral, they all have a different process of extracting and refining their materials. Given this, on each licence and inspection, different equipment is monitored, and different thresholds are assessed. Notes are taken throughout the entire process and photos taken to assist in compiling the post inspection report.

This inspection was routine. We inspected their reserved topsoil (this will be eventually returned to the re-habilitated site); inspected their waste disposal and their equipment to ensure it was calibrated and up to date; checked their noise monitors and inspected their readings; and monitored their rehabilitated areas.

James Anstey-The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) - Checking on mine site

12.00 PM

Stop for lunch and compile and share information gathered with the team.

3.00 PM

Inspection finishes. Depending on the size of the site and the amount of pre-inspection preparation undertaken, most mine site inspections will typically take a whole day.

3.30 PM

This inspection went smoothly and thus after a meeting with the mine personnel, we had enough time to visit some of the local external stakeholders to inform them of our findings and plans. We also noted down any information or findings they wished to share with us. The inspection has gone well.

5.00 PM

Arrive home, and have a shower and get ready for dinner at the local pub. It’s been a good day.

James Anstey-The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) - Dinner at local pub

6.00 PM

Arrive at the local pub and enjoy a well earnt dinner.

8.00 PM

Return home from the pub, go to sleep and return to the office the next day.

Unfortunately, not every day is spent out in the field. There is a great field and office balance, everyone in the team gets a fair turn at going out in the field. In addition to working in office, a bonus of work for the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) is there the option to do up to 50% of your work from home. This is incredibly useful for someone like me who has a very long commute to work. Here is my home office:

James Anstey-The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) - Home office set up

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I acknowledge that Murdoch University is situated on the lands of the Whadjuk Noongar people.

I pay respect to the enduring and dynamic culture and the leadership of Noongar elders both past and present.

The boodjar (country) on which Murdoch University is located has for thousands of years been a place of learning. We at Murdoch University are proud to continue this long tradition.