Dr John Pisaniello

I am a Senior Research Fellow in the School of Commerce where I am Research Leader of the Sustainable Law and Engineering Group in the Centre for Accounting, Governance and Sustainability (CAGS).

My areas of research are trans-disciplinary in nature as I am both a Civil Engineer and a Lawyer, and in recent years I have also gained expertise in social science and sustainability accounting and accountability type research. My main research interests are summarised below.

For further information on CAGS please go to http://www.unisa.edu.au/cags

Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of South Australia

Member of the Law Society of South Australia

Member of River Basin Management Society

Member of Emergency Management Australia

Member of Australian National Committee on Large Dams

Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering (Hons 1), 1993, University of South Australia.

Doctor of Philosophy, 1998, University of South Australia. My PhD was trans-disciplinary in nature, combining the fields of engineering and the law. The PhD focused on the safety of privately owned dams and the flood risks associated with these structures. The research primarily involved analysis and modelling of private dam safety assurance policy and laws (comparative law) and flood capability design/review procedures (civil engineering), and established cost-effective mechanisms which promote sustainability, consistency and uniform standards.

Bachelor of Laws (Hons A), 2005, University of Adelaide.

Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, 2006, Law Society of South Australia.

Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of South Australia, Admitted December 2006.

• In summary, my research interests comprise:
• (1) developing and integrating best-practice engineering design/review, accountability and legal compliance into cost-effective models, coupled with…......
• (2) comparative analysis of international systems (eg review and comparison of engineering technologies, processes and standards used, and the policies, laws and regulations adopted in varying contexts and jurisdictions) to identify lessons and elements of better practice, and
• (3) consultation and engagement of communities and policy makers (eg quantitative and qualitative surveys/research of stakeholder attitudes, perceptions and behaviours to determine necessary behaviour change), to assist Australian or overseas government policy and law reform.
• (4) Overall promoting and facilitating equity, sustainability and safety in areas such as water resources and conservation , planning, development and environmental law, dam management and safety, renewable energy, greenhouse gas emissions and carbon accounting, and public health and safety assurance.
• Since obtaining my PhD in 1998 until 2006, I was predominantly a Research Fellow and Deputy Director of the Centre for Comparative Water Policies and Laws in the School of Commerce at the University of South Australia. In 2007 I was appointed a Senior Research Fellow in the Centre for Accounting, Governance and Sustainability in the School of Commerce. My work has been in the areas of water management and resource sharing, hazard and risk assessment, safety assurance policy, dam safety, sustainable development, environmental management, comparative law, and stakeholder consultation and attitudinal surveys.
• I have worked effortlessly to educate State Government representatives in Australia on the latent issues and associated policy needs in the area of private dam management and flood safety: this has led to securing over $450,000 of national competitive core research funds from the Australian Research Council (2 x Discovery Grants) and the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, as well as around $100,000 of collaborative funding from government departments and Water Boards in SA, Victoria, NSW and Tasmania, to undertake further necessary research.
• I recently completed developing a cost-effective flood capability design/review procedure and safety assurance policy for private dams in both Victoria and NSW which is in line with my PhD work. This has led to trademarking of the SpillwaySafe technology and commercialisation through a start-up company, JDP Consulting Pty Ltd, which acts under licence from the University of South Australia.
• I have also recently worked with the World Bank and the Chinese government to undertake comparative law studies in the dam safety area and to explore extending the spillway technology to developing nations.
• In 2008 I completed the 2-year Research Leadership Development Program at UniSA. This program provided extensive training on how to be both a leading researcher and successful research leader and awarded me $30,000 competitive funding to further aid my research endeavours.
• I am currently working on an ARC Discovery Research Project (2009 - 2011), where I am Lead CI with Prof Roger Burritt as co-CI. Project Title: How to manage on-farm surface water storage for sustainable and safe catchments. A synthesis of the project is as follows.
• The 2009 - 2011 ARC Discovery Project deals with accounting of surface water storage and accountability for its management in order to achieve sustainable and safe catchments.The theoretical foundation for the project comes from 2 theories: (1) regulatory mix theory and (2) extended stakeholder theory. We are looking to extend these theories to cover cumulative impact/threat systems, and we are basing the research on the case of surface water storage in catchments. The actions of individual farmers storing water on their farms creates cumulative impact/threat at the catchment level for extended stakeholders such as downstream farmers, communities and environment. Surface water storage catchments are “dual-extreme” cumulative impact/threat systems (ie droughts and floods are possible impacts/threats) and so their proper management is vital for ensuring both sustainable and safe catchments (ie fair water sharing and no unsafe dams). This proper management can only result from a model (to be developed in the project) that is based on the above novel extensions of regulatory mix theory and extended stakeholder theory and which will guide government policy. The overall research may also provide valuable guidance on how to effectively manage other cumulative impact/threat systems throughout the world (eg the everyday actions of individuals leading to the cumulative impacts/threats of global warming – where the entire world is the extended stakeholder).

Refereed Journal Articles:

Pisaniello, J.D. (2009), ‘How to Manage On-Farm Surface Water Storage Practices to Minimise Cumulative Drought Impacts and Flood Threats in Catchments’, Water Resources Research, submitted for publication as a refereed paper 28 August 2008. IF (Impact Factor) = 2.154.

Pisaniello, J.D. (2009), ‘How to Manage the Cumulative Flood Safety of Catchment Dams’, Water SA, Vol 35, No 4, pp 361-370. Impact Factor (IF)= 1.120.

Pisaniello, J. D., Zhifang, W. & McKay, J. M. (2008), 'The Small Dams Safety Problem in China - Lessons from Australia', translated it into Chinese for publication in a refereed Chinese Journal in 2009.

Pisaniello, J.D. and McKay, J.M. (2007), 'A Tool to Aid Emergency Managers and Communities in Appraising Private Dam Safety and Policy ', Disasters, International Journal of Disaster Studies, Policy and Management, Vol 31, No. 2, pp.176-200. IF = 0.723.

Pisaniello, J.D. and McKay, J. M. (2006) ‘The Need for Private Dam Safety Assurance: a follow-up ‘model’ policy from Tasmania’, The Australian Journal of Emergency Management, Vol 21, No 2, pp.45-51. No IF available, but this journal has wide readership amongst academics, industry, key-actors and community, with 5500 circulation per issue.

Pisaniello, J. D, Zhifang, W. & McKay, J. M. (2006), 'Small Dam Safety Issues- Engineering/Policy Models and Community Responses from Australia', Water Policy, Vol 8, No 1, pp 81-95. No IF available, this Journal was published by Elsevier until 2002 and recognised as a top international journal in the field, but is now published by International Water Association and is yet to be assigned a Thomson ISI rating.

Pisaniello, J. D. and McKay, J. M. (2005), 'Australian Community Responses to Upgraded Farm Dam Laws and Cost-effective Spillway Modelling', International Journal of Water Resources Development, Vol 21, No.2, pp.325-40. IF = 0.329.

Pisaniello, J.D. and McKay, J.M. (2005) 'The need for private dam safety assurance policy - demonstrative case studies 10 years later', The Australian Journal of Emergency Management, Vol 20, No 3, pp 15 - 21.

Pisaniello, J.D. and McKay, J.M. (2003), ‘A Farmer-Friendly Dam Safety Evaluation Procedure as a Key Part of Modern Australian Water Laws’, Water International, Journal of IWRA, Vol 28, No 1, pp 88-100. IF = 0.586.

Pisaniello, J. D. and McKay, J. M. (2002) ‘A Simple and Cost-effective Spillway Design/Review Tool for Farm Dam Owners’, Water, Australian Water Association, Vol 29, No 2, pp 110 –113.

Pisaniello, J.D., McKay, J.M., Stephensen, M., Reedman, G. and Mitchell, L. (2001), ‘Effectively Involving an Australian Rural Community in a Risk Management Process: a “Community Partnerships” Approach’, The Australian Journal of Emergency Management, Emergency Management Australia, Vol 17, No 2, August 2002, pp30-39.

Pisaniello, J.D., McKay, J.M. and Perera, S. (2000), 'Cost-effective Spillway Design/Review for Small Dams in Victoria: Avoiding Dam Failure Emergencies', The Australian Journal of Emergency Management, Emergency Management Australia, Vol 15, No 4, pp. 2-9.

Pisaniello, J. D., Argue, J. R. and McKay, J. M. (1999), ‘Flood Capability Design/Review of Dams on Small Catchments – A Simple and Cost-effective Regionalised Procedure’ Australian Journal of Water Resources, IEAust, Vol 3, No. 2. pp. 177-188.

Pisaniello, J.D. and McKay, J.M. (1999), 'Cost-effective Private Dam Safety Assurance Policy and Spillway Design/Review', International Journal of Water Resources Development, Carfax Publishing Company, Oxfordshire, UK, Vol 15, No. 3, pp. 261-276.

Pisaniello, J.D. and McKay, J.M. (1998), 'The Need for Private Dam Safety Assurance Policy - A Demonstrative Case Study', The Australian Journal of Emergency Management, Emergency Management Australia, Vol 13, No. 3, pp. 46-49.

Pisaniello, J.D. and McKay, J.M. (1998), ‘Models of Appropriate Practice in Private Dam Safety Assurance’ Water Policy, Official Journal of the World Water Council, Elsevier Science Ltd, Vol 1, No 5, pp. 525-550.

Pisaniello, J.D. and McKay, J. M. (1996), ‘Legislation Imposition of Adequate Private Dam Safety Assurance’, The Australian Journal of Emergency Management, EMA, Vol. 11, No. 1, pp. 9-12.

McKay, J. M. and Pisaniello, J.D. (1995), ‘What must the Reasonable Private Dam Owner Foresee?’, The Australian Journal of Disaster Management - The Macedon Digest, Emergency Management Australia, Vol 9, No. 4, pp. 27-28.

Refereed Conference Papers:

McKay, J. M., Hurlimann, A. and Pisaniello, J. D. (2006), 'Do Australian water institutional governance regimes respond to rural and urban customer preferences?', Refereed Paper presented at IWA World Water Congress, Beijing, 10-14 September, 2006.

Pisaniello, J. D. and McKay, J. M. (2003), ‘Regulatory Frameworks for Dam Safety: An Australian Perspective for China’, Proc of Workshop on Dam Management, Nanjing Hydraulic Research Institute and Dam Safety Management Centre of MWR, Nanjing, China, Oct 23-24, 2003.

Pisaniello, J. D. and McKay, J. M. (2000), ‘International Best Practice Safety Assurance Policy and Cost-effective Spillway Design/Review for Small Dams: Protecting Downstream Communities’, International Conference: New Trends in Water and Environmental Engineering for Safety and Life: Eco-compatible Solutions for Aquatic Environments, Napoli, Italy, July 2000.

Pisaniello, J. D. and Argue, J.R. (1997), ‘A Regionalised Flood Capability Design/Review Procedure for Reservoirs on Small Catchments’, Proc. from the 24th International Hydrology and Water Resources Conference, Wai Whenua, New Zealand, 24-28 Nov, pp. 411-416.

Research Books:

Pisaniello, J. D. and McKay, J. M. (2004), Spillway Design and Review Procedures for Australian Farm Dams, Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, Australian Government, RIRDC Ref No. 04/051, ISBN No. 0642587612, ISSN No. 1440-6845.

Pisaniello, J. D. (1997), Analysis and Modelling of Private Dam Safety Assurance Policy and Flood Capability Design/Review Procedures, PhD Thesis, University of South Australia.

Book Chapters:

Pisaniello, J. D. and McKay, J. M. (2000), ‘International Best Practice Safety Assurance Policy and Cost-effective Spillway Design/Review for Small Dams: Protecting Downstream Communities’, Chapter in Book: New Trends in Water and Environmental Engineering for Safety and Life, Maione, Majone Lehto & Monti (eds), Balkema, Rotterdam, p 89.

Non-refereed Publications and Presentations:

Pisaniello, J. D. (2009) ‘Addressing on-farm surface water storage management issues in Australia for sustainable and safe catchments – lessons for Vietnam’, Combined Presentation, Workshop and Tour conducted for Vietnamese Delegates from Ministry of Science and Technology, Vietnam Academy for Water Resources and Institute for Water and Environment, University of South Australia, Adelaide, 20 July 2009.

Pisaniello, J. D. (2009) ‘The operations of the cost-effective best practice small dam flood capability design review model, SpillwaySafe, in Tasmania’ Presentation given at Dept of Primary Industries and Water Seminar and Workshop, Hobart, Tasmania, March 31, 2009.

Pisaniello, J. D. (2007) ‘The need for the cost-effective best practice small dam flood capability design review model, SpillwaySafe, in Tasmania’ Presentation given at Dept of Primary Industries and Water Seminar and Workshop, Hobart, Tasmania, October 8, 2007.

Pisaniello, J. D. (2006) 'Dam Safety', Small Talk, Quarterly Journal, Land Management Program, Mount Lofty Ranges, Government of South Australia, Summer 2006, p.2.

Pisaniello J. D. and McKay, J. M (2006) 'Addendum to The need for private dam safety assurance policy - demostrative case studies 10 years later', Australian Journal of Emergency Management, Vol 21, No.1, p.65.

Pisaniello, J. D. (2005), ‘Review farm dam design to avoid problems’, Farmonline, Landcare bulletin, Edition News: Niche, Saturday, 26 February 2005, www.landcare.farmonline.com.au/news.asp?editorial_id=61878&class_id=15 , accessed 6/05/05;

Pisaniello, J.D. (2005), ‘Making Sure of Dam Spillway Design’, Power Farming, Victoria, Vol 114, No 6, 22-23.

Industry Reports:

Pisaniello, J.D. (2009) ‘Preliminary Development of a Cost-Effective Flood Capability Design/Review Procedure for Farm Dams in Tasmania’, Industry Report for Tas Govt, Department of Primary Industries and Water.

Pisaniello, J. D. and McKay, J. M. (2003), ‘A Cost-effective Spillway Design/Review Procedure for Southeastern Australian Farm Dams’, A Technical Report for RIRDC, DNRE VIC and DLWC NSW, Uni SA Business Services, Water Policy and Law Group, UniSA Ref No. 0567516-1, ISBN No 0868039764.

Pisaniello, J. D., McKay, J. M., Consoli, S. and Spassis, A. (2003), ‘Farm Dam Owner Response to a Cost-effective Spillway Design/Review Mechanism in the Mt Lofty Ranges of SA – Law Reform Suggestions’, A Technical Report for the Onkaparinga, Torrens and Northern Adelaide and Barossa Catchment Water Management Boards, Uni SA Business Services via Water Policy and Law Group, UniSA Ref No. 0567516-1, ISBN No 0868039764.

Bjornlund, H., McKay, J. M. and Pisaniello, J. D. (2001), ‘Water: Waste Not – Want Not’, An Industry Report for the Water Conservation Partnership Project through DEH, Uni SA Water Policy and Law Group Business Services, UniSA Ref No. 2068209-1.

Pisaniello, J. D. and McKay, J. M. (2002), ‘The Development of a Public and Environmental Health Management Plan for Berri SA and Its Application to the Emergency Risk Management Process: An Effective Approach’, An Industry Report for Emergency Management Australia, Uni SA Water Policy and Law Group Business Services, UniSA Ref No. 2068163-1, ISBN No 0868039756.

Pisaniello, J. D. and McKay, J. M. (2000), ‘Development of a Cost-effective Flood Capability Design/Review Procedure for Small Dams in Victoria’, A Technical Report for DNRE VIC, Uni SA Business Services, UniSA Ref No. 0566794-1, ISBN No 0868039748.

Pisaniello, J. D. and Argue, J. R. (1998), ‘Testing of the Ecosol RSF 4000 for Hydraulic Headloss’, A Technical Report for Ecosol Pty. Ltd. through Urban Water Resources Centre, Uni. SA, Jan 1998, Ref No. 0765306.

Pisaniello, J. D., Pezzaniti, D. and Argue, J. R. (1998), ‘Water Sensitive Drainage Design for the Boardman Road Development, East Bowral’, Technical Report, Urban Water Resources Centre, Uni. SA, March 1998, Ref No. 07665925.

Argue, J. R., Pezzaniti, D. and Pisaniello, J. D. (1997), ‘Stormwater Management Concept for Lord of Good Shepherd, Anglican Church - Plympton’, A Technical Report, Urban Water Resources Centre, Uni. SA, October 1997, Ref No. 0765925.

Pisaniello, J. D. and Argue, J. R. (1995), ‘Hydraulic Assessment of Proposed Access Bridge over the Onkaparinga River’ A Technical Report for SA Water Corporation through Urban Water Resources Centre and Techsearch, University of South Australia, Ref. No. 5027, Nov 1995.

I am able to provide media comment in the following areas of expertise:

Discipline:

• Comparative Law
• Dam Safety Assurance, Accountability and Risk Management
• Surface Water Management
• Hydrological/Hydraulic Modelling
• Dam Flood Failure Disasters
• Sustainable Engineering and Law