Graeme Experience

Graeme Ridley — Experience

Technical

· Developed and held 3 separate training sessions with Fletcher Construction Limited staff on environmental issues and implementation of management practices – approximately 60 attendees – 5^th and 6^th October 2007

· Developed and held 2 day training course with Waikato region Transit staff and contractors focusing on erosion and sediment control and environmental management of roading projects – 24^th and 25^th September 2007

· Prepared components of consent applications required for development of the Long Bay catchment on behalf of Landco Limited

· Developed and held a three day erosion and sediment control training programme for Horizons Regional Council staff and consultants and contractors associated with the development industry. Training focused on both the principles and practices of erosion and sediment control – 6 to 8 June 2007.

· Provided technical written evidence and acted as expert witness for Environment Court hearing on behalf of Landco Limited for development of the Long Bay catchment - 2007

· Providing specialist advice to land development companies (including a quarry operation) on erosion and sediment control, stormwater management and overall project management of environmental and regulatory aspects - Ongoing.

· Project managed, scoped, formulated and implemented an Advanced Assessment of Environmental Effects and Erosion and Sediment Control Plan Development training programme for Auckland – developed in 2007 and ongoing implementation.

· Developed and held a three day erosion and sediment control training programme for Hawkes Bay Regional Council staff and consultants and contractors associated with the development industry. Training focused on both the principles and practices of erosion and sediment control – 17 to 19 October 2005.

· Coordinating and writing of Utilities Operations Guideline for the Auckland Region providing specific environmental guidance for utility operations such as telecommunications and power cable installation – June 2005 to present.

· Provision of specific technical advice to a development company associated with development of the Long Bay Catchment in Auckland. Providing overall peer review and specific erosion and sediment control advice – July 2005 to present.

· Member of successful tender team providing environmental management advice associated with construction of the State Highway 20 to 1 project in Manukau City – July 2005 to present. Ongoing involvement.

· Undertook consent processing and compliance monitoring role of earthworks and streamworks activities, including providing advice on educational and policy initiatives, for Auckland Regional Council – March 2005 to present.

· Processed and project managed a significant range of resource consents associated with development proposals including the discharge of sediment and stormwater from development sites.

· Initiated, wrote and completed a five year Erosion and Sediment Control Investigation Strategy for the Auckland Region which involved obtaining feedback from all relevant parties, identifying knowledge gaps and how best to fill these gaps.

· Gave key note address at the International Erosion Control Association Australian Conference in Sydney 1999.

· Principal author of ARC Technical Publication No. 90 – “Erosion and Sediment Control Guidelines for Land Disturbing Activities” – March 1999.

· Principal author of ARC Working Reports No. 1 and 2 – “ Mahurangi Redwoods Study” – March 1998, which investigated the effects of vegetation removal operations on receiving environments.

· Provided the technical edit of ARC Technical Publication No. 69 – “Environmental Effects of Erosion and Sedimentation in the Auckland Region" – March 1997

· Attended and contributed at world conferences in Seattle, Reno, and a study tour of the Eastern USA, gaining technical knowledge and specialist contacts in both stormwater and erosion and sediment control.

· Provided key technical input and co-ordinated the resolution of appeals on the Proposed Regional Plan: Sediment Control (Auckland Region).

· Established a sediment management industry workshop programme for Auckland, resulting in the Auckland earthworks industry being fully aware of regulatory requirements and sediment transfer processes.

· Scoped, formulated and implemented an Industry Education Programme for Auckland which provides critical information to key clients on the principles and practices associated with erosion and sediment control. This programme has been through a process of local and international benchmarking ensuring a high quality product is delivered.

· Co-ordinated ARC’s programme for stormwater and sediment management, providing key programme direction for investigation, education, regulation and policy work.

· Implemented catchment based conservation schemes and co-ordinated vegetation removal and earthwork activities within the Waikato Region.

· Worked on a range of specific soil conservation projects in Taranaki involving both planning and implementation processes. Introduced “Farm Planning” concepts where individual properties were assessed from potential productivity and conservation requirements to achieve a balanced yet environmentally acceptable solution.

Regulatory/Consent

· Sole Hearing Commissioner for Environment Waikato for WEL Wind Park located at Te Uku, Raglan – 2007/2008

· Hearing Commissioner for Hauraki District Council for Plan Change 8 at Ngatea, Waikato - August 2007.

· Reporting officer for ARC for Integrated Catchment Management Plan consents for Hobsonville Peninsula, Waiarohia, Totara and New Lynn catchments – 2007.

· Project managed resource consents for catchment wide stormwater and wastewater discharge consents (Integrated Catchment Management Plans) on behalf of ARC for Waitakere City Council and Manukau City Council. Included provision of technical advice, policy interpretation, writing of hearing reports and input into decision reports - 2006/2007.

· Technical Hearing Commissioner for Environment Bay of Plenty for Comprehensive Stormwater Discharge Consent for Tauranga City Council in the Papamoa Catchment – 2006/2007

· Sole Hearing Commissioner for Environment Waikato for GP Farms Ltd hearing for development at Hampton Downs - 2006.

· Coordinated Auckland Regional Councils Annual Charges Project under S35 and S36 of the Resource Management Act for 2005/2006 and 2006/2007.

· Developed Outsourcing Policy for ARC

· Coordinated and managed ARC’s Annual Charging Policy under Section 36 of the RMA - 2004.

· Manager of Consent Processing, Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Team at Auckland Regional Council. Formed the team’s strategic direction while improving customer focus, process efficiency and environmental outcomes.

· Project managed and provided information on a wide range of consents including policy advice and interpretation of regional and district planning documents for significant infrastructure projects.

Policy

· Acted for Forestry Company (Greenridge Holdings) in negotiations over access to existing forestry block and consideration of alternatives – April 2007

· Provided technical review and input into Fletcher Construction Environmental Handbook – Dec 2005.

· Undertook formal review of 2 environmental non compliance incidents for Metrowater, Auckland and made a series of recommendations to assist in minimising future risk – May – June 2005.

· Undertook review of RMA enforcement processes and communication linkages with key stakeholders (including ARC) for Watercare Services Ltd associated with the Mangere Wastewater Treatment Plant – May/June 2005

· Project managed the policy direction and consenting process associated with Integrated Catchment Management Planning for stormwater and wastewater discharges for Manukau City Council and Waitakere City Council on behalf of Auckland Regional Council – March 2005 to present

· Ministry for the Environment (2005). Part of EMS Team involved with preparing a Monitoring and Reporting Strategy for the Dairying and Clean Streams Accord.

· Authored revised chapter on Erosion and Sediment Management for the book titled “Fundamentals of Urban Runoff Management Technical and Institutional Issues” – United States of America Environmental Protection Agency – July 2004

· Reviewed conditions Porirua City Council imposes on land use and subdivision consents focusing on erosion and sediment control. Recommended a new suite of standard consent conditions for use in this area – July 2003

· Undertook an exercise for the Ministry for the Environment as part of their healthy estuaries and harbours programme looking at urban catchment management issues in New Zealand, with a specific focus on stormwater. Determined the extent and significance of urban catchment management issues in NZ and considered the MfE’s role – June 2002.

· Coordinated and ran a workshop for Wellington Regional Council and Porirua City Council on the selection, design, implementation and maintenance of erosion and sediment control and stormwater management practices – March 2001

· Undertook a joint investigation study for Porirua City Council and the Wellington Regional Council into erosion and sediment control practices within Porirua City where detailed analysis was undertaken of consent processing, consent monitoring, inter council communication, education and training and the need for specific technical guidelines – October 2000

· Documented national best practice for erosion and sediment control techniques in relation to Porirua City and then related these practices to regional council guidelines and resource consent – Oct 2000