Better than best

They’re achieving even better than best to protect the environment.

That’s the standard being reached by a number of earthworks contracting companies as they work hard to control discharges of sediment into waterways.

Their efforts have just been recognised by Waikato Regional Council through a series of sediment and erosion control awards.

“We’re seeing some great examples of firms going above and beyond best practice when it comes to protecting the environment and controlling discharges into our waterways,” said integrated catchment services committee chair (south) Stu Kneebone.

“Our awards are designed to recognise the industry’s efforts in improving compliance with regional rules and delivering innovation to the industry.

“Besides firms working on big projects generally we’ve also recognised rural contractors working on earthworks on farm-related projects.”

The awards are part of the council’s earthworks compliance strategy for the region, which also includes the likes of erosion and sediment control workshops, regular newsletters and a collaborative approach to working with the industry.

The quality of entries and nominations in this year’s awards reflected the wide range of different projects being undertaken across the region. They included small scale permitted activities to large scale roading projects such as the Hamilton, Huntly and Longswamp sections of the Waikato expressway.

“The entries illustrated the high current level of environmental awareness in the industry,” said Mr Kneebone.

The nominees were judged on the complexity of the project, the success in achieving best practice in erosion and sediment control, and the positive environmental outcomes.

The council says it was particularly pleasing to see the high standards achieved despite 2016-17 being a very challenging year for all contractors given the extreme weather events during the earthworks season in March and April.

The winners were:

Small sites (joint winners)

Mangahoanga stream culvert - Seay Earthmovers

For undertaking works in a very difficult and environmentally sensitive area and installing erosion and sediment controls to an extremely high standard.

Longswamp stream diversion – Downer New Zealand Limited

Undertaking a stream diversion in a difficult and restrictive area while still protecting the watercourse and the surrounding environment

Medium sites

Schick Civil Construction Limited – Te Rapa Gateway

For an innovative approach in water management and for consistently achieving very good results in a very challenging environment.

Environmental outcomes

Mangaonua Stream Bank Training Works and City Edge Alliance for Hamilton section of the Waikato expressway

For undertaking stream realignment works, over the winter period, without any environmental issues culminating in an outstanding result for the new alignment of the Manganoua Stream

Innovation

Fulton Hogan – Ports of Auckland site, Horotiu

An innovative method to control the discharge of water from a control device without the requirement of pulleys to lift decants.

Large Sites

Fulton Hogan/HEB Joint Venture for Huntly section of the Waikato expressway

For consistently achieving outstanding results and exceeding best practice over a large and difficult earthworks site.

ENDS

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