What has been the highlight of your Branch/SIG this year?
The ALGA AKL branch had the pleasure of hosting a specialist science communicator, Dr Lesley Stone, in November 2024. Lesley guided us through the art of effective and inspirational storytelling, helping us to discover how we are hard-wired to engage with stories, and assisting us learn methods to communicate key scientific concepts to a broad audience effectively. The workshop was highly interactive and helped highlight how, as practitioners, we can use effective communication to shape better outcomes and drive change. The audience was highly engaged on how these principles could be applied in our work, specifically towards better soil management in Aotearoa New Zealand.
What are you most excited about in the new financial year (1 July 2025 – 30 June 2026)
Contaminated land and groundwater is in for a year of challenges and opportunities in Aotearoa New Zealand! Reform of the Resource Management Act is underway and will affect much of the rules which govern our industry, from the way our national environmental standards work, to the intensity with which energy, transportation infrastructure, telecommunications, and housing development can occur. There is an increasing desire among practitioners and regulators for greater reliance on risk-based decision-making in contaminated site management, preferencing beneficial soil reuse, in situ management, and landfill diversion rather than only excavation and disposal. Last but not least, I know many of us are looking forward to insights and innovations in these topics and more at the joint ALGA and WasteMINZ conference in the coming year, bringing two fantastic industry bodies together!
Prior to this event, we hosted a successful event on ground gas, where we explored the concepts of hazards vs actual risks, the importance of developing a robust conceptual site model, how to undertake appropriate sampling and the importance of developing fit for purpose solutions. The event was presented by Paul Crimmins of Pattle Delamore Partners, Jo Ferry of Tonkin and Taylor, and Jamie Rhodes of Engeo. The event also highlighted some of the common mistakes that can be made when dealing with ground gas (from sampling through to construction) and discussed the challenges of applying guidance/regulations for ground gas in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Judah Lebow, Technical Director – SLR Consulting NZ Ltd.
Nigel Mather, Technical Discipline Manager – SLR Consulting NZ Ltd.
Erin Richards, Technical Director, Pattle Delamore Partners
Join us at our next branch event:
