Application of Engineering Risk Management to Protect the Conservation Values of Barrow Island from Invasion by Non-indigenous Species

This paper considers the contribution engineers can make toward the management of risk in entirely new fields of endeavour. With a few notable exceptions, the application of systematic engineering approaches is generally overlooked in the wider use of risk assessment in non-engineering disciplines. The author has extended the practice of risk management to environmental and ecological systems over the past ten years, and offers insight into the many lessons learned when engineers attempt to tackle non-engineering risk. A rigorous and systematic approach to the problem of protecting the conservation values of Barrow Island, a Class-A Nature Reserve, from pests and weeds has been undertaken on a large scale. At stake is the protection of an island ecosystem which has survived relatively intact since its separation from mainland Australia about 8,000 years ago. Oifield operations have been in progress since the 1960’s without significant impact to the biodiversity and conservation values of the Island, utilising strict quarantine practices and a supportive workforce culture. The operator, ChevronTexaco (formerly operated by West Australian Petroleum, or WAPET), recognises that the scale of the proposed development of a gas plant requires a more rigorous approach to prevent introductions from cargoes, vessels and people. Instead of the more common applications to the strictly economic and human health aspects of quarantine, we have for the first time developed a methodology for protecting conservation values and established a set of standards for acceptable risk with community stakeholders. This work has been supported by ChevronTexaco for the proposed Gorgon LNG Development on Barrow Island, and has involved the guidance of a panel of notable independent experts. The results of the risk-based approach are driving the development of a world-class quarantine management system, where a comprehensive identification of threats and management responses is being achieved. Through this process, the application of engineering approaches to risk analysis and the transparent processes which avoid 'leaving any stone unturned' is being communicated to government and community stakeholders. The benefits of the approach are being recongised by the many technical experts involved in the process. Whilst quarantine management will fully develop over time for the proposed Gorgon LNG Development, the risk management process has matured to prove its effectiveness in providing the best possible information for managing quarantine threats to Barrow Island.