Industry Forum: Lithium Battery Management & Risk

David holds degrees and qualifications in Environmental Science and Management, as well as Project Management.
David has twenty-three years in the waste industry, including seventeen years spent in Brisbane City Council operating and managing all aspects of the waste system and the last six as the Manager Resource Recovery Ipswich City Council operating the commercialised business unit of Council, Ipswich Waste Services.

Peter Jefferies has more than 30 years’ experience across the water, fire and education sectors, including a decade as CEO and Commercial Director in the water industry. As Director of ENCAPS Pty Ltd, he is focused on delivering innovative, environmentally responsible fire suppression and odour management solutions across Australia. Peter works closely with industry, councils and emergency services to improve fire safety, particularly in the growing challenge of lithium battery fire risk.

Ani Goswami is the Founder and CEO of Oscorp Energy, an Australian AI and robotics company building intelligent autonomous systems for the waste and recycling industry. Ani leads product, engineering, and commercial strategy, with a focus on preventing battery-related fires, improving material recovery, and helping facilities become safer and more AI-driven. Oscorp Energy is backed by venture capital investors and is working with leading recycling operators across Australia and internationally.

Brett Lemin has extensive experience across the private and public sectors in various industries including Waste, Resource Recovery and Education. He has a strong background in the environmental and sustainability industry sectors through previous roles he has held and dealt with tenders and contract management. He has significant experience working with NGOs, legislators, regulators, various statutory authorities and research institutions.

Benji is a second-generation waste industry native, building on a family legacy in the industry. Combining expertise in project management, business development and stakeholder engagement, he has spent the past decade delivering sustainable infrastructure, maintenance and decommissioning projects across Southern and Central Queensland. His experience spans operational improvement, strategic partnerships and infrastructure development, supported by an earlier career in waste industry media that strengthened his communication, advocacy and relationship-building capabilities.

Chester Foley is a Senior Policy Officer with the Environment Protection Authority Victoria’s Waste and Land Policy & Regulation Branch. He specialises in environmental regulation, waste management policy, and the development of guidance for emerging and problematic waste streams. Chester works closely with government, industry and regulators across Australia and New Zealand to deliver practical, evidence-based policy solutions that support industry to reduce risk to human health and the environment.

Ben has worked in the waste and recycling industry for over 30 years. He started his career with Amcor, or Australian Paper as it was then known, and was responsible for securing the hundreds of thousands of tonnes of paper and cardboard fibre necessary to feed the Petrie Mill every year.

He has been with Cleanaway for more than 20 years now and worked in a range of roles across all facets of the solid waste sector, including C&I collections, MRF’s, baling operations, landfills and transfer stations, bulk haulage and business development in the municipal sector.

He is now the State Manager for QLD/NT for Local Government and Infrastructure Growth.