I am an aquatic ecologist with over 30 years’ research experience at Edith Cowan University in inland aquatic ecosystems. Specialising in aquatic rehabilitation science, my research focus has been on rehabilitation of mine pit lakes. Pit lakes are often the greatest legacy of mining operations. My work in this area has seen particularly for the coal industry, increasing acceptance by regulators across Australia of pit lakes in closure plans. I have worked to establish aquatic ecosystems as viable post mining land uses for pit lakes, including assessments of their biodiversity, rehabilitation strategies to expand biodiversity and I am starting to investigate possible completion criteria. Additionally, I have also worked with acid mine drainage treatment and other post mining land uses for pit lakes. Pit lakes can contain substantive amounts of water creating challenges to fill them but also opportunity for a range of industries. Pit lakes are virtually forever, dramatically changing the landscape during and post mining.

As head of the Mine Water and Environment Research Group at Edith Cowan University (ECU), I have published over 173 papers, chapters and reports (31 peer-reviewed journal articles, 50 peer-reviewed conference proceedings, 4 book chapters and 90 industry reports) as well as co-edited conference proceedings and 11 popular articles.