Strategic planning and environmental advice for Eastland Port

Challenge

Our team has been Eastland Port's trusted planning and environmental consultancy for several years and has worked on various coastal development projects that straddle the land-coastal marine interface as well as work streams related to off-port log storage facilities.

The suite of projects has been necessary for the provision of new and extended infrastructure, thereby future proofing and enabling the continued provision of coastal shipping services to Gisborne / Tairāwhiti by Eastland Port. Projects have encompassed new wharf developments including upgraded log yards, inner and outer breakwater upgrades, reclamation, seawall upgrades, capital and maintenance dredging, and inner harbour development works.

Solution

Due to the location of the port at the interface between land and water, and the sensitivity of the surrounding environment in social, cultural, ecological and landscape terms, we have applied our expertise across a broad range of disciplines to support the ongoing programme of works.

This includes specialist input to the following:

• Preparing Resource Consent Applications;
• Compliance monitoring, including Environmental Management;
• Preparing Assessments of Environmental Effects;
• Contaminated land and asbestos management;
• Benthic habitat and water quality assessment;
• Coastal Ecology; and
• Landscape Assessment.

Our experts also routinely work alongside other professionals such as acoustic and traffic consultants, archaeologists, coastal processes experts and various engineering disciplines.

The team have also provided environmental compliance management services to Eastland Port which has resulted in improved environmental outcomes. These include land, water and ecological quality assessments, preparation of management and monitoring plans, and support of Eastland Port’s online compliance management database.

Impact

Having worked on a wide range of port-related projects, our Consultants now have an in-depth understanding of the variety of resource management matters associated with the port and the relevant consenting thresholds and key stakeholder relationships.

Our teams have worked collaboratively, sharing knowledge across multiple technical disciplines, including planning, coastal, ecology, water quality, contaminated land management and landscape assessment to ensure that the port continues to thrive and also operate in a way that produces better environmental and sustainable outcomes.

"The Twin Berth project is a game-changer for Tairāwhiti's future. Over the past decade they have been invaluable partners, providing crucial expertise across multiple disciplines. Their commitment to sustainable solutions and thorough understanding of our local environment were instrumental in securing our consents. They’ve been great to work with and have a passionate team of professionals who have consistently demonstrated their value."

Andrew Gaddum, Eastland Port Chief Executive Officer