Compliance with this Code of Ethical Conduct is required for persons and organisations who are members of the Bremer River Network. It is adapted from the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct (2012) of the Environmental Institute of Australia and New Zealand.

​

Members commit to the following environmental principles:

• Advocate the integrity of the natural environment and the health, safety and welfare of the community and future generations as central to environmental practice.

• Advocate the protection of environmental values and the mitigation of environmental harm, based on objective scientific and technical knowledge.

• Advocate and undertake environmental practice in accordance with principles of environmental stewardship, resilience and sustainability, with a view to achieving no net loss of environmental values and preferably a net gain.

​

Members commit to demonstrate integrity:

• Be honest and trustworthy, avoid misrepresentation, distinguish between fact and opinion, and state opinions which are honestly held.

• Respect obligations of confidentiality and privacy.

• Be objective, seek peer review and other quality assurance of work as appropriate, and accept as well as give honest and fair criticism when required.

• Avoid or manage conflicts of interest and make all relevant parties aware where such a conflict exists.

​

Members commit to competent practice:

• Provide services at an appropriate standard as required to achieve or foster optimal environmental outcomes.

• Only offer services in areas or specialisations in which one is appropriately qualified, experienced and competent.  

• Comply with all applicable governing laws and statutory requirements, and actively discourage non-compliance by others.

• Promote the involvement of all stakeholders and the community in decisions and processes that may impact on environmental values.

• Respect the contribution of other professionals and collaborate in multi-disciplinary approaches.  

• Be diligent in providing accurate, up-to-date, objective, impartial, unbiased advice.  

• Acknowledge data and information sourced from others, and be accountable for data collected, analyses performed and conclusions drawn or plans developed.

• Be prepared to explain work and conclusions drawn and provide the evidence on which the work is based.

• Continuously update and develop skills through relevant professional development as a basis for competent practice.

​

Members commit to maintain professional standards of conduct and communication:

• Promote and provide leadership in adopting high standards of environmental practice.

• Contribute to the development and maintenance of knowledge about environmental practice and standards of professional competence.  

• Support others in their development as environmental practitioners.  

• Do not advertise or represent services of this network, or of another member in any way that may bring discredit to the sector.