A NEWSLETTER FOR CLIENTS OF GOLDER ASSOCIATES IN NEW ZEALAND
Q1, 2009
www.golder.co.nz
NEW ZEALAND
Issue #14
Devonport Naval Base Dredging
Golder has had a long relationship with the Devonport Naval Base.
The base which was established in 1884 is situated
on the Devonport shoreline in the lower Waitemata
Harbour and is home to the Royal New Zealand Navy.
At times dredging is required within the Naval Base
and its ancillary facilities. Golder undertook its first
dredging and dredged material disposal assessment for
Navy in 1988 when dredging was required around the
entrance to the Calliope dry dock. Under the Auckland
Regional Council Coastal Plan, dredging is typically a
permitted activity within designated port and defence
areas around the Waitemata Harbour.
The Navy through the Joint Logistics and Support
Organisation (JLSO) identified that it needed to
undertake dredging at the end of the Calliope Wharf
at a location where a wharf previously stood. The
sediment that had built up under the old wharf had
never been removed when the wharf was demolished.
The sediment needed to be removed to provide safer
access to Calliope Inner Basin by extending the widths
of the entrance.
The Calliope Wharf project followed on from work
undertaken earlier in 2008 for the Navy who required
to undertake dredging at the ordinance wharf at Kauri
Point located up-harbour from the Devonport Naval
Base. The dredging was required to ensure safe vessel
movement and berthing at the wharf. That work
undertaken on strict time lines to obtain consents
from ARC required review of sediment quality and
dredging details and the preparation of a dredging
management plan that detailed monitoring, sediment
management and reporting requirements. In both
cases Golder was able to assist the Navy in obtaining
permits allowing them to proceed and complete works
when required. For further information contact Sarah
Pennington or Paul Kennedy in the Auckland office.
Golder reviewed the available information on sediment
quality (as the Naval Base has been extensively
surveyed for sediment quality over the years), identified
issues within the area to be dredged and examined
options for dredging and disposal of sediment. A
consent application was lodged by JLSO and the
permits to dredge were granted by Auckland Regional
Council (ARC). A contractor undertook dredging and
dredged sediment was barged across the harbour to
the Fergusson Container terminal reclamation. Golder
staff assisted with post dredging validation sampling
and assessment.
1
Issue #14
Ohirangi Stream and relatively limited supply,
the main objective of the monitoring was to
assess low flows in the stream to determine
the impacts of the take on the habitat values
and perform a WAIORA analysis. A water
level (stage) discharge relationship (rating)
was developed over the 2008-09 summer
and continuous flow data was derived and
reported to RDC. The monitoring will continue
once the current weir is modified to meet fish
passage and intake structure requirements
under the ARC Air Land and Water Plan.
Helensville Water
Supply Hydrology
Golder Associates (NZ) Limited undertakes
a range of hydrology and planning work to
assist Councils with management of water
supplies. An example is the work currently
being undertaken for Rodney District Council
(RDC). RDC requires information on water
availability from the water supply catchments
that are used to provide water for Helensville
township as part of the re-consenting of their
water takes. The Helensville water supply
scheme utilises water from two sources:
the Mangakura Catchment and the Ohirangi
Catchment. The Mangakura catchment is
almost completely native bush with high
habitat values. The source of water from
the Ohirangi catchment is a recognised and
protected wetland. The catchments are
around 2 km2 and 3 km2 respectively. The
Mangakura catchment has a number of
reservoirs along the main stem. Runoff from
the catchment is collected in the No 1 Dam
reservoir while Ohirangi water is collected via
a weir and intake structure. This is then piped
to the Helensville water treatment plant.
As both catchments are small, have habitat
values worthy of protection, and potentially of
insufficient capacity to service future growth
of Helensville, RDC commissioned Golder
to undertake a range of hydrological and
planning services and provide advice on the
sustainability of the current and proposed
water supply practices. Golder’s hydrology
team has monitored the residual flow in the
Ohirangi Stream directly downstream from
the Helensville water supply intake pipe.
Because of the small catchment area of the
The Mangakura catchment suffers from high
geosmin levels in the water over summer,
restricting the ability to utilise water from
that catchment at a time when demand is
highest. Golder are now assisting RDC to
decide on a flow sharing regime between the
two catchments that will take into account
water availability, hydrological and ecological
characteristics and needs, geosmin peaks, and
the planning requirements of various national
and regional planning instruments (National
Environmental Standard (NES) ecological flows
and water levels, and National Policy Standard
(NPS) freshwater management). Golder has
also assisted RDC in identifying and securing
mitigation measures such as riparian planting
using the ARC Significant Ecological Values
(SEV) framework and landowner agreement.
As well as securing resource consents for
the future abstraction of water it is Golder’s
intention to provide hydrology, planning and
scientific advice that promotes sustainable
development of the Helensville water supply
catchments and the community of Helensville.
For more information contact Maree
Drury (Project Manager) or Matt Hamilton
(Hydrologist) in the Auckland office.
Kelson Subdivision
One of the biggest subdivisions in the
Wellington region for many years has just
received resource consents to proceed. The
142-house residential subdivision development by developer Chris Mason of Capital
Project Management, in Kelson, on the
western hills of Lower Hutt, has been over
five years in planning, and the application
was heard at a joint hearing of the Hutt City
Council and Greater Wellington Regional
Council. Golder was asked by Wellington
geotechnical and planning consultants Cardno
TCB to provide expertise first on the effects
of the subdivision on the aquatic ecological
resources at the site, and then to develop
a mitigation programme for the terrestrial
and aquatic ecological characteristics of the
subdivision site.
Q1, 2009
www.golder.co.nz
A key feature of the site was a series of
ephemeral gullies running through the project
area, a common feature of the Wellington
region landscape as well as a significant
wetland feature. Dr Ian Boothroyd, who was
able to draw on experience from extensive
studies on the streams and waterways of
the Wellington region undertaken by Golder
(for Greater Wellington Regional Council),
developed the mitigation plan that provided
for the protection of the higher valued areas
of the site whilst enabling modern design
principles to be met. Some 2.88 hectares of
bush and wetland, about 20% of the site,
has been left untouched with pest and weed
management programmes to improve their
condition. The lower gullies were also left
intact as these gullies, despite their ephemeral
nature, form important components of a
catchment network and contribute leaves and
wood to the downstream permanent water
bodies.
Dr Boothroyd also presented evidence at
the hearing. The outcome also provided for
aquatic biodiversity values with offset fencing
planned within the Belmont Regional Park that
will assist in protecting gullies and streams of
the Speedys Stream catchment. The offset was
developed from the application of the Stream
Ecological Valuation methodology (developed
for use in Auckland streams by Auckland
Regional Council) in what is a first-time
use at a decision hearing in the Wellington
region. For more information contact Dr Ian
Boothroyd in the Auckland Office.
Issue #14
Q1, 2009
www.golder.co.nz
Energy Demand and Sustainability
Publications
Although global demand for energy is on the rise, there is an increasing call for energy conservation and sustainability in energy production. Golder business is growing rapidly in the energy
sector both in relation to energy generation (particularly for renewable energy) and energy
management. In many regions, including New Zealand, there is a call to increase the proportion of
renewables sourced energy as a proportion of total energy generated. In some parts of the world
the amount of renewable power generation being built is a significant portion of all new energy
generation capacity (e.g., wind power comprised 43% of new energy capacity in Europe in 2008).
The results of research undertaken by Golder
biosecurity staff in New Zealand on the
introduced tunicate Styela clava has been
published in the MAFBNZ Technical Series.
The full reference is titled D. McClary, D.;
Phipps, C.; Hinni S 2009: Reproductive
behaviour of the Clubbed Tunicate, Styela
clava, in northern New Zealand waters. MAF
Biosecurity New Zealand Technical Paper No:
2009/01. BNZ Post-clearance Directorate,
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. The
report can be found at http://www.
biosecurity.govt.nz/about-us/our-publications/
technical-papers#styela-reproduction.
In October 2007 the New Zealand Government adopted the New Zealand Energy Strategy. The
Strategy stated that New Zealand must respond to the risks of climate change by reducing
greenhouse gas emissions arising from current energy sources and it must deliver clean, secure,
affordable energy while treating the environment responsibly.
In 2008, the proposed National Policy Statement for Renewable Electricity Generation was released
to establish the national significance of the benefits that are associated with renewable electricity
generation. The New Zealand Government determined that 90 per cent of electricity generated in
New Zealand should be derived from renewable energy sources by 2025.
Golder Associates has a strong global focus on renewable and sustainable energy services
including Landfill Gas to Energy (LFGE), hydro/run of river, wind, geothermal, and solar energy
management (see below) and carbon geosequestration (see below). Golder Associates has
specialised teams in a number of niche energy fields such as its Energy Management Team,
Weather Forecasting Network and Carbon Capture and Storage Team. The company has a range
of global initiatives in the renewables and energy management area. These include master service
agreements with utilities to assist them with environmental assessments, with clients in sectors
such as mining to assist in the collection of greenhouse data, energy efficiency and management
and extensive permitting work in the wind energy sector. To date Golder Associates has been
involved in over 4,500 MW of wind power development with more than 35 wind power projects in
the pipeline around the world.
A more recent initiative of Golder is to offer expertise and advice on energy management. Ed
Smith has recently joined the Melbourne office to take a lead role in the provision of energy and
greenhouse gas management services to Golder’s clients across the Australia Pacific region. Ed
has extensive international experience spanning 23 years across five continents, with 19 years
specifically in energy and greenhouse management. Ed has wide-ranging experience in energy
management programs and processes, energy training, and development of greenhouse gas
mitigation plans. In particular, Ed has undertaken a range of energy and greenhouse gas related
assignments including inventory assessments, carbon strategy development, energy cost reduction
and greenhouse gas mitigation opportunity evaluations, development of cost of abatement curves,
strategic action plan development and provision of implementation support and training.
Ed has worked with many utilities assisting with both the development and implementation
of sustainable energy management support programs for their customers (both industrial and
commercial) that focus on swift transfer from assessment to action. In addition, he has assisted
corporate groups across most business sectors. Prior to joining Golder Associates, Ed was responsible for the Energy Management Consulting group within Hatch. Based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,
he managed the team responsible for the development of integrated approaches to energy
management, with a focus on the implementation of solutions.
In recent news Golder Associates has become a founding member of the Global Carbon Capture
and Storage Institute (GCCSI). GCCSI has been established in Canberra, Australia, with a mandate
to foster a global portfolio of commercial-scale flagship Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)
demonstration projects, and undertake services and programs consistent with this mandate.
Golder Associates will contribute on Risk Assessment of Geological Sequestration as part of the
Institute’s early project work (contact Mark Latham, Melbourne office, for more information). The
Australian Government is working hard to secure at least two of the planned 20 large-scale commercial carbon capture and storage demonstration projects the Group of Eight leading nations (G8)
want operating globally by 2020. The projects are expected to help make CSS a viable approach to
managing emissions from large industrial greenhouse gas emitters (e.g., coal-fired power, oil and
gas, petrochemical plants).
The River Environment Classification (REC)
is a tool developed by the Ministry for the
Environment for use in the management of
New Zealand waterways. Dr Ian Boothroyd
was involved in its inception and has recently
co-authored a scientific paper that considers
the use of the REC in the Auckland region.
Entitled ‘Effectiveness of the river environment
classification in the Auckland Region’, the
paper concludes that biophysically meaningful
stream classes cannot be identified from the
REC GIS-derived data applied in this research.
Rather, field analyses of physical habitat are
required to interpret ecological relationships
for differing stream types. The paper is
co-authored by Liza Inglis and Gary Bailey and
its full reference is New Zealand Geographer
64: 181-193 available at http://www.wiley.
com/bw/journal.asp?ref=0028-8144.
Dr Richard Seaton has had another paper
published from his research on New Zealand
falcons. The paper presents the results of
observations made on 87 nest sites in the
Kaingaroa pine plantation during the
2003-2006 breeding seasons. The full paper
reference is “Seaton, R.; Holland, J. D.; Minot,
E. O.; Springett, B. P. 2009: Breeding success of
New Zealand falcons (Falco novaeseelandiae)
in a pine plantation. New Zealand Journal
of Ecology 33(1): Published on-line: 6 March
2009. Available on-line at: http://www.
newzealandecology.
Issue #14
Hearings
In January, Richard Seaton presented evidence
in the Environment Court on behalf of
Meridian Energy in relation to the proposed
Project: Hayes Wind Farm. His evidence
concerned breeding New Zealand falcon
which had been located within the proposed
project footprint. Concerns were raised by
appellants that New Zealand falcons would be
significantly affected by the construction of a
wind farm at this site and that this would lead
to the local extinction of falcons. The issues
were discussed surrounding all the potential
effects of the development on falcons,
including collision mortality, displacement
and disturbance. A suitable monitoring and
mitigation program was outlined.
Staff
Kathleen Monahan has
joined Golder as an air
quality scientist in the
Christchurch office. She
has a BSc(Hons) in Physics
from the University of
Canterbury and has
recently completed
her PhD in Physics at the same university.
Kathleen’s PhD thesis looked at mixing
processes between the troposphere and the
stratosphere using satellite data. This work
focused mainly on the analysis of data and
the development of several measures to
study atmospheric mixing. She has also been
involved with several smaller undergraduate
projects involving image processing and
interpretation of radar data.
Clive Anderson has
joined the Chrictchurch
office as a Principal
Geotechnical Engineer.
He has twenty five years
geotechnical experience
in Western Australia,
New Zealand, Indonesia,
NEW ZEALAND OFFICES:
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tel +64 3 548 1707
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tel +64 3 377 5696
fax. +64 3 377 9944
DUNEDIN
tel +64 3 479 0390
fax. +64 3 474 9642
TAURANGA
tel +64 7 928 5335
fax. +64 7 928 5336
Singapore and Fiji. Clive has a BE (Civil Hons)
from Canterbury University, and has a Masters
in Soil Mechanics and Engineering Seismology
from Imperial College, London. His consulting
experience encompasses a wide range of
sectors including mining, land development
planning and design, tunnels tender designs,
highways, slope engineering, structure foundations, forensic investigation of engineering
failures, expert witness and geotechnical peer
reviewer for clients on major projects. Clive
will be leading the Geotechnical Engineering
and Mining Groups for Golder Associates in
New Zealand.
Hugh Davies has joined
the chemistry team and is
based in the Christchurch
office. Hugh has a BSc in
Chemistry and a BCom
in Economics from the
University of Canterbury
and has recently
submitted his MSc thesis
(Environmental Science) in which he examined
the geochemical changes occurring following
pH remediation of acid mine drainage with
ultrafine limestone at Stockton Coal Mine. He
has accumulated a range of field experience
ranging from assisting with the geological
mapping in South Westland to soil, water and
sediment sampling at locations both on and
off-shore. Hugh received support from Golder
Associates (NZ) Limited while undertaking his
MSc and also from Solid Energy New Zealand
who provided financial support for his project.
Q1, 2009
www.golder.co.nz
well as geochemical modelling. Pride also has
a background in geology including structural
geology, sedimentology and petrology.
Julia Kennedy has joined
Golder Associates as a
Senior Planner in the
Auckland Office. Julia has
a Bachelor of Resource
and Environmental
Planning with Honours
and has over 8 years
planning experience in New Zealand and the
United Kingdom. Julia has recently worked
as a town planner in London for the City of
Westminster which involved the processing
of planning applications for development
and changes of use. Julia was previously
an environmental planning consultant with
Kingett Mitchell Limited based in the Auckland
office and an environmental compliance
officer at the Otago Regional Council. Julia’s
consulting experience includes the preparation
and submission of resource consent applications for the dairy and mining industries,
timber and recreational companies and has
experience with due diligence, environmental
management systems and contaminated site
projects.
Pride Mangeya is a
hydrogeologist with a
B.Sc. Honours degree in
Geology and a Master
of Philosophy degree
in hydrogeology and is
working in the Auckland
office. He is a specialist
in groundwater resources evaluation and
has experience in performing pumping tests
and analysing pumping test data. He has
experience in flow and transport modelling as
Locally Speaking New Zealand is a local publication for valued clients and employees
of Golder Associates (NZ) Ltd. Please contact Paul Kennedy, [email protected]
or (09) 486 8068, if you have any questions or comments.
The first issue for 2009 of Golder’s newsletter Technically Speaking is available online at www.
golder.com. This issue focuses on natural resources and environmental management and
contains articles on an online resource for acid rock drainage, land reclamation in Canadian oil
sands development areas and in rock quarries.