GHD presents papers on resilience at this year's Stormwater Conference
Discussions on liveable, healthy environments in the face of extreme weather events were on the agenda of this year's Stormwater Conference in Christchurch, hosted by Water New Zealand. Three of our Technical Experts attended the event to present a range of perspectives and case studies aligned to the theme of climate change and resilience.
Kim Longman's presentation titled 'Planning Pumpstation Asset Management for Future Resilience and Native Species', unpacked a unique approach to renewing a pumpstation in the Waikato. The project presented three challenges, the first was to upgrade the ageing infrastructure, the second to build long term resilience, and the third to make a positive contribution to native fish passage. Using the example, Kim outlined how the project team used economic assessments and a carbon estimation tool to solve these challenges, whilst designing fish-friendly technology, realising job creation and ecological outcomes.
Historically, the level of service, cost, and constructability have been drivers of stormwater network design but in his presentation titled 'How to Select the Right Stormwater Pipe for Projects', Bruce Balaei argues for a new approach. A way of selecting stormwater pipes while considering additional drivers in network design - the impact of assets on the environment, and the potential impact of climate change on network operation. Accounting for these additional factors, Bruce argues, will create cost-effective, resilient infrastructure whilst decreasing the adverse effects of infrastructure projects on our environment.
Finally, Aidan Cooper presented ‘Permeable Pavement – More Than Just a Permeable Surface’ alongside Steve Crossland from Fletcher. The pair worked on a commercial property upgrade that not only provided stormwater retention and detention of the pavement area but was also able to offset the existing development - exceeding minimum stormwater design requirements and contributing to the Greenstar building rating. By utilising the Bowers Permeable Pavement System, the project significantly reduced construction costs compared to underground attenuation tank solutions.
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GHD is a leading professional services company operating in the global markets of water, energy and resources, environment, property and buildings, and transportation. Committed to a vision to make water, energy, and communities sustainable for generations to come, GHD delivers advisory, digital, engineering, architecture, environmental and construction solutions to public and private sector clients. Established in 1928 and privately owned by its people, GHD’s network of 12,000+ professionals is connected across 160 offices located on five continents.