Case studies –
Construction Services
Professionalism and ethical behaviour is a core principle of the company. This is reflected throughout all our activities.
Te Uku Wind Farm
The Te Uku Wind Farm project will see 28 wind turbines constructed inland from Raglan. The project is being constructed by Spartan Hicks Joint Venture. SouthernSkies undertook the environmental lead for Hicks, developing and obtaining sign off for all erosion and sediment control plans, and providing ongoing site auditing and liaison with Environment Waikato compliance staff.
The earthworks contract required the construction 25km of access roads on very steep, challenging hill country with sensitive receiving environments and strict consent conditions. Despite encountering rain storms in excess of a 100 year event, the close auditing and commitment of the project team ensured that the works have avoided any adverse environmental effects, and the earthworks were also completed ahead of schedule. Given the extremely tight project timeframes, this is a significant credit to project team.
SouthernSkies provided key expertise to ensure the effective design and operation of erosion and sediment controls on a challenging site. In August 2010 the project was awarded the inaugural “Site of the Year” award by Environment Waikato in recognition of its high standard of erosion and sediment controls in this environmentally sensitive area.
Key partners
East Taupo Arterial
The East Taupo Arterial project provided the perfect opportunity for SouthernSkies and Fulton Hogan to establish an ongoing collaborative relationship in the delivery of best practice environment outcomes in roading projects. In this case SouthernSkies director Campbell Stewart provided the role of Environmental Advisor for the project, ensuring that the project met and exceeded all environmental requirements of the resource consents granted by Environment Waikato.
This work expanded on our early involvement in the project as peer reviewers on behalf of Opus International Consultants during the consenting stage. Our services to Fulton Hogan involved development of environmental management plans and procedures, detailed erosion and sediment control plans, obtaining approvals from Environment Waikato and then ongoing site auditing and liaison on behalf of the project team.
SouthernSkies also prepared and obtained the resource consents for the extension of Crown Road, one of the final stages of the projects. Since commencing the East Taupo Arterial project, we have continued to provide similar services on other Fulton Hogan projects including the Christchurch Southern Motorway, the Te Rapa Bypass and the Lincoln Road upgrade.
Working with tender and construction teams from Fulton Hogan, McConnell Dowell and others, we are commited to ensuring that the projects always achieve and exceed full environmental compliance, while identifying opportunities for time and cost savings at every stage.
Key partners
Waingaro Quarry
In 2008 Perry Aggregates obtained resource consents from Environment Waikato and Waikato District Council to expand the Waingaro Quarry near Ngaruawahia.
To support Perry’s consent process, SouthernSkies provided an expert peer review of the proposed erosion and sediment control methodology for construction of a visual mitigation bund. We also provided a chemical flocculation management plan for the associated earthworks.
Since then SouthernSkies has provided Perry Aggregates with ongoing technical support with respect to erosion and sediment controls and flocculation within the quarry. A credit to Perry’s is that the project was awarded 'Site of the Month' by Environment Waikato and was a finalist in the 'Site of the Year' award.
Key partners
Bruce Highway, Cooroy to Curra, Queensland
SouthernSkies provides a range of erosion and sediment control services in Queensland, through relationships we hold with the Sunshine Coast Regional Council, the Civil Contractors Federation and O2. We recently provided independent auditing services with O2 to Abigroup Contractors Pty Ltd. The project involves a significant 10km upgrade of the Bruce Highway in the Gympie area of Queensland. This work involved an initial site audit, update of erosion and sediment control plans and instruction for contractors' staff.
On other sites we have provided professional advice on erosion and sediment control measures, and provided flocculation management plans, including soil bench testing. Examples include the Plantation Rise and Forest Pines Estates subdivisions near Woombye.
Our work in Australia and throughout New Zealand has proven that we can provide responsive and cost effective services at any location.