Raquel is a highly regarded marine scientist and environmental impact assessment practitioner specialising in coastal and marine development sectors. Employed by Australia’s offshore energy regulator (NOPSEMA) for the past 11 years, Raquel has held key roles including NOPSEMA’s Chief Environmental Scientist, Environment Manager (decision maker) and Environment Specialist. During this time she played a role in establishing and implementing NOPSEMA’s EPBC streamlined arrangements. Prior to working in NOPSEMA Raquel held roles in the WA State government including the WA EPA and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions; coordinating Departmental advice on development impacts to WA’s biodiversity and the development of natural resource management strategies.
With extensive experience in regulating the offshore industry, Raquel brings in-depth understanding of regulatory requirements and the challenges that must be navigated by the offshore and onshore renewable energy sector in order to achieve renewable energy solutions across Australia and the broader Asia Pacific region.
A strategic planner and forward thinker, Raquel has developed innovative solutions to complex environmental and regulatory challenges. An articulate and effective communicator, Raquel collaborates, negotiates and engages with all levels of government, industry, natural resource sectors, academia and community to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.
Raquel’s wealth of industrial and scientific experience includes:
- 18 years of combined State and Commonwealth government experience in regulating coastal and marine resource sectors
- 11 years of experience in regulating and providing EIA advice the offshore energy sector including assessment, inspection, enforcement and investigation
- 6 years working in the NGO sector building and strengthening partnerships between government, community and industry to deliver projects that have multiple benefits across a range of stakeholders.
- Strategic planning and bespoke initiatives that are able to blend traditional governance and knowledge systems with contemporary frameworks
- Strategic planning, program development, project management, monitoring and evaluation and reporting
- End-user science advice and regulatory needs analysis (including social, cultural and economic considerations)
- Proficient communication of complex developments and regulatory systems to a range of stakeholders groups
- Community engagement, professional relationship building, government liaison, partnership development
- ESG advice including options for corporate philanthropy.
- Environmental and natural resource management planning including the application of the environmental management systems, the mitigation hierarchy, development of control measures, monitoring and adaptive management
Compliance oversight and monitoring of approval conditions and other regulatory requirements
