GHD was engaged to project manage the design and construction
of infrastructure that would allow the restoration of Lake Condah,
near Heywood in Victoria.
Lake Condah forms a key part of the
recently declared “Budj Bim National Heritage Landscape,” and is
identified as a wetland of national significance, on cultural and
ecological grounds.
During the 1950s, engineering works were
undertaken on the Lake and since then, the Lake has not retained
water, other than during flood events. This has led to a
deterioration of ecological values at the site, and has caused
distress to the traditional owners who have maintained strong ties
to the land and traditional fishing practices.
GHD managed the design and construction
of an outlet water regulator at Lake Condah in order to effectively
restore water to the site. This project has had significant
ecological and community impact - the purpose of the project was to
restore water to the lake, re-activating some of the 8000 year old
fish traps, and providing immense environmental benefit
Through this project, GHD employed all
principles of project management, and provided the client with
advice and tangible strategies with regard to program, upholding
objectives, minimising the impact of obstacles, stakeholder liaison
and development of methodology.
In particular, GHD redefined the project scope
during project inception to deliver a weir design that was linked
to the landscape and cultural significance of the region, and the
project was constructed by local, unemployed indigenous people.