Below the Surface
Gunnar Haid & James Hammond
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About This Podcast
Casual chats between an Austrian and Australian on environmental topics that usually don't get talked about openly.
Hosts Gunnar Haid and James Hammond set out to provide a light-hearted and thought-provoking look into Contaminated Land, Resource Recovery, Ecology and general environmental issues in Australia, in particular NSW. They use their experience and industry connections to talk about subjects that, at least in their opinion, don't get talked about enough or not in the right context. Join them for a chuckle and some unique perspectives.
And don't forget to keep track of your listening experience. It is official, listening to Below the Surface collects CPD points at a rate of 0.5 points per hour of listening (self education category).
Contact: [email protected]
https://www.linkedin.com/company/below-the-surface-podcast
The necessary disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this Podcast are the speakers’ own. They do not necessarily represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of 4Pillars Environmental Consulting Pty Ltd or any Client, Supplier or other party related to 4Pillars or the speakers.
(c) Gunnar Haid and James Hammond
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Recent Episodes
#44 The Duplicate Pushback
In Episode #30 The Duplicate, Gunnar famously declared that duplicate soil samples in heterogeneous fill are useless. Risk assessor Belle Casement of Terravale Consulting heard the episode… and…
#43 The Negotiator
Hammond relives his time as a representative for Australia in international biodiversity negotiations at COP13 of the Convention on Biological Diversity. But before that a few updates, a hint for…
#42 The Basics: Microplastics
Microplastics: The Invisible Problem (or is it?)Brooke Kelly from Reditus joins Gunnar and James to unpack microplastics. From penguin carcasses and seal scat (that's science code for poo) to human…
#41 The AI Revolution
Artificial intelligence has gone from curiosity to daily tool almost overnight. In this episode, Gunnar and James sit down with AI consultant Alex Rankin who spent over 25 years in senior roles…
#40 The Risk Assessment
If you've ever stared at a lab result that exceeds your NEPM HIL and wondered "okay, but what does this actually mean?". This one's for you.Gunnar and James sit down with Dr Kylie Dodd, environmental…
#39 The Big ASS Questions
A deeper dive into Acid Sulfate Soils. In a slightly QLD centric episode, Gunnar and James are joined by all three main authors of the QLD ASS Management Guidelines, widely regarded as the best ASS…
#38 The Bioavailability
How much of any given contaminant is actually taken up into human bodies?If we think about it, that is one of the single most important things to consider as an environmental consultant when…
#37 The 2025 Reflection
The 2025 Year in Review (That Wasn’t Supposed to Happen)What started as a neat 15-minute intro quietly turned into a full end-of-year wrap-up. Classic Below the Surface. Gunnar and James get…
#36 The Client - TMA
What it's really like to be regulated?Regulators, take note - this one’s for you.We are shining the light on the third corner of the Regulator – Consultant – Client relationship: the Client. What’s…
#35 The PFAS Heath Advice
The NSW Health PFAS Advice includes quite some statements:“The health effects of PFAS appear to be small.” “… there was definite evidence of increased psychological distress in … exposed communities,…
#34 The Stormwater Stirrer
Gunnar (without James this time) gives it a go to get to the bottom of the very basics of what we need to think of around stormwater on a site. There are few better suited to talk about the subject…
#33 The Waste Class Blues
James K (James Karagiannis) has personally completed a stack of waste classifications. And in addition, he has reviewed somewhere between 1,000 and 1,200 reports written by other consultants for our…
#32 The EPA CEO
Tony Chappel, the CEO of the NSW EPA, is our guest today, so we are definitely back with a bang after the summer holidays. Gunnar and James are (surprisingly!) well-prepared and keep the conversation…
#31 The Half Price EV
Electric Vehicles are basically half price in Australia right now, thanks to some little-known government incentives. Gunnar and James decided it was the perfect time to talk… tax. Yes, tax. And you…
#30 The Duplicate
Gunnar claims almost all duplicates we take serve close to no purpose. If you want to know why, have a listen and be entertained and informed at the same time. The OGs are back together in this…
#29 The New AS5370 Standard
Attention Asbestos in Soils Specialists, there is a new kid in town. The Australian Standard 4964-2004 Method for the qualitative identification of asbestos in bulk samples has been superseded with a…
#28 The OCSE Odyssey
The Office of Chief Scientist and Engineer (OCSE) has issued recommendations concerning asbestos in waste and soil. Sarah Mansfield, Special Counsel (and environmental law superstar) at Norton Rose…
#27 The Chronicles of an Auditor
Rod Harwood - do we need to say anything else? There are few who have had more influence on our industry and who have contributed more than Rod. Gunnar had a chat with Rod and while they reminisce…
#26 The Quickie
Gunnar and James take a dive into all sorts of events that have happened in the past few weeks.1 - The EIANZ announces the punishment of a member. 2 - A $30,000 fine issued by a Council3 - MASSIVE…
#25 The Duty to Report
The Duty To Report may seem like a peculiar law in our industry, yet it's just another one of the many quirky regulations that shape our environmental consulting world. As such, it was begging to be…
Frequently Asked Questions
Below the Surface has published 44 episodes since February 2024, covering topics in Earth Sciences, Natural Sciences.
Below the Surface is currently highly active with new episodes monthly. Average episode length is 45m.
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