What's your job about?

The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) manages and regulates the use of the State’s environment and water resources through environmental impact assessment (EIA), policy development, regulation compliance and enforcement, public programs, research and development of strategic programs. There are three overarching portfolios: Climate and Sustainability, Approvals, and Strategy and Performance. Within each of these portfolios, there are multiple divisions that contain various branch teams, each of which is responsible for carrying out specific duties.

The team that I’m employed in is called EIA Planning, which is within the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) Services division of the Approvals portfolio. All the work that myself and my fellow colleagues within EPA Services carry out is in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (EP Act). The EP Act establishes the EPA as an independent regulatory agency in charge of performing EIA for projects that are anticipated to have a significant environmental impact. In EIA Planning, I specifically look at scheme or scheme amendments under Section 48, Part IV of the EP Act.

A scheme or scheme amendment is an application to change the zoning and/or permissibility of land uses submitted by landowners, a local government authority (for example, the City of Perth), or the WA State Government. My responsibility as the assessing officer is to ensure that the application contains sufficient information to determine whether the rezoning of land will have a significant impact on the environment, including potential impacts on Aboriginal Heritage and general amenity. I will consult with internal and external experts, as well as my colleagues in EIA Planning and across EPA Services, to ensure an informed assessment.

What's your background?

I was born and raised in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. I derive from a diverse ethnocultural background (i.e., half Malaysian Indian and half Malay). I lived and studied in Malaysia until I was six, then in Manila, Philippines, for three years before moving to Perth. In Perth, I completed primary school, high school and eventually tertiary education at Murdoch University. I have worked within retail, hospitality and corporate industries since I was 16. Prior to joining DWER, I worked briefly for an engineering firm as part of a small commercial contracts team. The role consisted of creating and issuing purchase orders and handling client invoices. This was completely unrelated to my educational background and current position, but it's how most people begin before securing their dream job (you have to start somewhere!). I started working at DWER in early 2023 and have truly enjoyed it so far!

Could someone with a different background do your job?

Yes. Anyone with even the slightest passion for protecting Western Australia’s environment can perform well in this role. All you need is a thirst for knowledge, an inquisitive and open mind, and a desire to succeed. But even if you don’t have a keen interest, or the appropriate academic background (i.e., environment and conservation sciences), DWER is highly invested in hiring a diverse workforce, and intrinsically understands the importance of diversity of thought, which adds significant value to any organisation.

What's the coolest thing about your job?

The coolest thing about my job is honestly the wonderful people and office culture here at DWER. My colleagues are incredibly talented and experienced people who are always supportive and motivating. You’ll also receive support from fellow graduates throughout the program. I have the opportunity to network and volunteer outside of DWER, which is always fun and engaging. Internally, DWER hosts a variety of events celebrating culturally, locally and nationally significant themes. Ultimately, I love my job because I know that DWER is making a tangible difference in protecting Western Australia’s natural landscapes and unique flora and fauna.

What are the limitations of your job?

Managing proponent and organisational expectations is extremely important. When working on a project, I must keep in mind what is required of me by DWER and the proponent, while also considering public and Traditional Owner input, which can be difficult. However, it is crucial to establish strong relationships so that everyone can perform well as a team and deliver the desired results. Once you have established a strong rapport, the job becomes inherently easier!

3 pieces of advice for yourself when you were a student...

• Be organised. Being organised is perhaps the most useful piece of advice I would’ve given myself. It is especially important to be organised in all aspects of your life. Being disorganised is highly unsustainable; you need to develop a daily routine and stick to it. This will ensure that you remain focused on what’s important and will set you up for a successful career.
• Embrace learning. I cannot emphasise enough the importance of embracing learning. When you first enter university, you are immersed in new experiences, which can be overwhelming. However, don’t despair! Embrace the unknown, be humble and enjoy the process. Having this mindset can ensure a positive and rewarding learning experience throughout university and beyond.
• Have an open mind. During my final year of university, I wasn’t certain about what I wanted to do. Understand that lots of students will be in the same position as you, but that’s perfectly okay. The key is to have an open mind and to approach job finding with optimism and a can-do attitude, and you will eventually find your passion at work that will align with your values.