Best practice measures in managing earthworks for environmental control. It’s not a particularly sexy subject but none the less its incredibly important to the McKenzie & Co. team and our industry peers.

And really, who wouldn’t love an afternoon hearing about decanting earth bunds, sediment retention ponds, managing mud and bridging the gap between subdivisions?

(L-R: Wei Zhang, Sarah Kelly, Chris Mellican, Pat Pereira, Romeo Dela Cruz. Not pictured: Mark Lendrum, Simon O’Hanlon.)

Recently, seven members of our team jumped at the chance to get out of the office and enjoy an outdoor classroom at Earthworks Field Day 2019 and have the opportunity to rub shoulders with 300 other orange-clad industry peers. 

The Auckland Council and International Erosion Control Association of Australasia (IECA) run event was held at the Dempsey Wood Civil, Dale Road subdivision in Whenuapai. The event included opportunities for hands on learning in the field, as well as presentations and demonstrations on the latest technologies and techniques on the science of earthworks.

What did the team learn?

• To continue to improve the high level of environmental management on earthworks sites, Auckland Council are bringing compliance in-house and broadening their monitoring methods to include the use of satellite imagery.

• Kauri dieback disease is big and nasty. We all need to play our part to help stop its catastrophic spread.

• Ditch Witch have a silt fence installer. Its cool.

• The team saw a demonstration of best practice on sediment control ponds and a hydro excavator.

Key outtakes:

1. Mark got to have a go on the digger. He was happy.

2. Everyone knows Chey. While he didn’t attend, he was happy to hear this.

3. Sarah knows no one. She’s always happy.

We are McKenzie & Co.
Responsible for New Zealand’s inhabitable landscape.