What makes a good regulator?

Gunnar and Hammond are joined for the second time by Jason Scarborough, former NSW EPA officer and founder of JS Regulatory Services and Echidna, to talk about how regulation should actually work.

They discuss behaviour change, regulatory transparency, poorly designed KPIs, explain the term "regulatory capture", the “fit and proper person” test and why vague regulatory language can create problems.

This episode is particularly relevant to regulators and anyone in a position of regulation or enforcement, but also to consultants and businesses that regularly deal with regulators.

There is also some discussion of surveillance technology, AI, Homer Simpson, Star Trek and the question of how much it would take to bribe a regulator.

Jason Scarborough - Echidna | LinkedIn

The episode was recorded on 4 September 2026

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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

What makes something worth keeping, and who gets to decide?

In this episode of our The Basics Series, Gunnar and Hammond talk with heritage specialist Dr MacLaren North.

They cover what heritage actually means, the differences between built, archaeological and Aboriginal cultural heritage, how heritage significance is assessed, and why the process can sometimes be surprisingly subjective.

They also look at how heritage considerations affect development, why getting specialist advice early matters, and whether an old building is genuinely significant or simply in need of maintenance.

A practical and surprisingly entertaining introduction to the world of heritage.

AS4482-1999 and 2005 withdrawn | ALGA

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Contact: bts@4pillars.com.au

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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

Who keeps environmental professionals honest, and what happens when they get it wrong?

Gunnar and James open with a deceptively simple question: would you take a guaranteed $50,000 or risk it on a coin toss for $1 million? Their answers lead to a revealing conversation about risk, certainty, running a business and how personal circumstances shape financial decisions.

Then the episode switches to newly appointed EIANZ President Fiona Gainsford about the growing influence of professional certification in the environmental industry. A frank discussion about professionalism, accountability and who sets the standards for the environmental industry.

They discuss ethics, complaints and disciplinary action, conflicts of interest, misuse of certification seals, and whether the CEnvP system now holds considerable power over environmental professionals and their careers.

They also push Fiona on some pointed questions: why the EIANZ stayed quiet during the asbestos in mulch saga, whether certification seals are vulnerable to misuse, how conflicts of interest are handled in practice, and whether an unpaid volunteer board should hold this much sway over people's livelihoods.

BBC Audio | More or Less | Would you take £50,000 or a 50/50 chance of £1m?

Proposed AS ISO 18400-106 Soil Quality – Sampling

Tony Albert - Wikipedia

Tony Albert: Not a Souvenir | MCA Australia

www.eianz.org

www.cenvp.org

EIANZ peer review guidelines

Episode #14 The Honest Truth

Listen to Below the Surface and collect CPD points. We have confirmation that you can claim 0.5 points for every hour you spend with us under the Self Education Category

Contact: bts@4pillars.com.au

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