EXCELLENCE IN STORMWATER ENGINEERINGAND FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT

Flood-prone land is a valuable resource which must be well managed to develop safe and sustainable communities. At the same time, protecting the environmental health of our waterways requires good planning and innovative stormwater management solutions.

Resolving the complex challenges of varied weather conditions, topography, land use and stakeholders requires a level of expertise that can only be delivered by experienced professionals who deal with these issues every day.

SAFE, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT REQUIRES EFFECTIVE FLOODPLAIN AND STORMWATER MANAGEMENT

MANAGEMENT OF RAPID DEVELOPMENT OF A RANGE OF LAND USES ON THE LOGAN RIVER FLOODPLAIN REQUIRES CAREFUL PLANNING AIDED BY EXPERT ADVICE

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Our specialist team has resolved water management issues for the private sector and all levels of government throughout Australia. We deal with water at all scales, from a single allotment to an entire river basin.

We have developed planning and policy tools, designed water management infrastructure and provided detailed advice to help our clients achieve their goals. Our plain-language reports are technically sound and comprehensive.

We help our clients manage risk and give them a well-researched, logical basis to deal with competing interests for water resources.

We have demonstrated high-level expertise in:• flood hydrology• regional water strategy and policy development• erosion and sediment control• water quality monitoring and management• floodplain management• flood damage assessment• flood mitigation options assessment• natural channel design• flood risk assessment and minimisation• water sensitive urban design• stormwater harvesting• accurate hydrological and hydraulic modelling• design and planning evaluation• peer review• acting as expert witnesses.

WRM KNOWS WATER

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WRM KNOWS WATER

CALLIDE CREEK IN FLOOD AT JAMBIN DURING MAJOR FLOODING IN DECEMBER 2010

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COMPREHENSIVE UNDERSTANDINGOur knowledge isn’t limited to water engineering. By bringing an understanding of policy development, government procedures and legislative requirements to our work, we are able to give advice and prepare reports which minimise risk and are ready to implement.

We’ve helped federal, state and local governments to have confidence in their planning and decision making. This has included managing catchments and river systems, reviewing development proposals, preparing for future flood events and ensuring that water quality is managed effectively throughout a region. Examples of our skills and experience in this area include:

Creating water savings through better data collection and reporting

As we did in our investigation of Murrumbidgee River tributary inflow data for Water for Rivers. By assessing input from operations staff and stakeholders, and reviewing the rainfall and stream gauge coverage and technology, we found a range of improvements which have resulted in better forecasts of tributary inflows, allowing the NSW State Water Corporation to manage the catchment more efficiently.

Helping planners, designers and policy makers with more accurate flood maps

Such as work we completed for Mackay Regional Council in 2011. This project involved collecting and reconciling complex data regarding discharges and flood levels for the Pioneer River and its tributaries (including in-stream weirs and breakout flows). From this data we developed URBS rainfall runoff and TUFLOW two-dimensional hydraulic modelling, enabling us to create a comprehensive set of flood depth and hazard maps for a range of potential flood events.

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COMPREHENSIVE UNDERSTANDING

Using our urban hydrology knowledge to maximise stormwater collection

Such as the tool we developed for Melbourne Water, which assessed the potential of real-time harvesting of stormwater flows in urban streams. We developed a novel approach, configuring the MUSIC hydrologic model to calculate the extra runoff generated by impervious surfaces. The method was tested and confirmed on the Darebin Creek catchment on Melbourne’s northern outskirts, and a paper on the study was prepared for the 2009 Hydrology and Water Resources Symposium in Newcastle.

Using sophisticated techniques to ensure optimum infrastructure design

As demonstrated by our work with the Wivenhoe Dam Spillway Upgrade Alliance and SEQ Water. Using the WIVOPS and MIKE 11 programs, we modelled Brisbane River design discharges, Somerset and Wivenhoe dam inflows, and downstream impacts of possible flood events. From this, we were able to nominate the best auxiliary spillway design and assess its impact, thereby reducing the flood risk to downstream communities.

2011 FLOODS AT IPSWICH

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KNOWLEDGEWe understand policy development as well as water

Faced with many complex inputs and vast areas, it’s vital that engineers understand the specific requirements of government. Our experience working with all levels of government across Australia and internationally means that our work is always relevant to a policy framework.

That experience also extends to working across diverse climates and geologies.

SPECIALISATIONSkills to handle the most complex of problems

We’ve spent many years studying and working in all aspects of water engineering, and have developed a set of skills and experience which set us apart from other engineering firms. In fact, we’re often hired by other consulting companies to peer review their work.

We are able to overcome complex and rare problems with competing priorities, that are simply beyond the scope of more generalist companies.

SOLUTIONS TO COMPLEX PROBLEMS

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INNOVATIONClever thinking, underpinned by thorough research

We know when – and how – to modify existing methods and designs to come up with original ways to meet each project’s unique challenges.

We do thorough research and take nothing for granted, resulting in tailor-made solutions that stand the test of time.

RELIABILITYRobust, impartial advice that stands up to scrutiny

We’re proud of our reputation for thorough preparation and review of our technically robust reports, advice and recommendations.

To our clients, it adds up to confidence. We provide solutions that don’t have to be revisited, with all the delays that entails, and which stand up to public scrutiny and in court. We also have extensive experience as expert witnesses to back up our work.

SOLUTIONS TO COMPLEX PROBLEMS

WIVENHOE DAM DURING THE 2011 FLOODS

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MACKAY’S FLOODPLAIN CHARACTERISTICS REQUIRE CAREFUL INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING

DETAILED ANALYSIS OF MACKAY WATERWAYS INFORMED THE SITING OF THE RING ROAD

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THE CHALLENGEThe proposed ring road for Mackay presented the Department with a complex series of issues spanning a number of disciplines.

The road crosses numerous watercourses including Pioneer River, Fursden Creek, Janes Creek, Goosepond Creek, Vines Creek, McCreadys Creek and tributaries of Bakers Creek. WRM were commissioned to assess the flood impacts of various options and to work with consultants from other disciplines in a collaborative approach in choosing the optimum alignment.

Once that alignment was established, our hydraulic models were used to determine the size and configuration of the waterway crossings and to assess impacts on people and property.

THE RESULTOur hydrologic and hydraulic modelling and collaboration with other professionals and stakeholders resulted in the development of a preferred ring road alignment that has considered all potential impacts, including flooding and community concerns.

The thoroughness of our modelling gave the Department confidence in the robust nature of the proposed option’s flood resilience.

The level of modelling detail also allowed us to rapidly move on to the design of waterway crossings to be provided.

CASE STUDYMACKAY RING ROADInvestigation of options for Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads.

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Dr Sharmil MarkarBSc(Eng) (Hons) PhD FIEAust CPEng RPEQMANAGING DIRECTOR / PRINCIPAL ENGINEER

With over 35 years in water resource management, Sharmil has worked on projects across all market sectors in all Australian states and territories, as well as several countries overseas. This includes a number of years in China undertaking major flood management, flood forecasting and water resource allocation and management projects.

He has been commissioned to peer review hydrologic and hydraulic modelling of several major water infrastructure projects in Queensland.KEY AREAS OF EXPERTISE:• numerical modelling of hydrologic and

hydraulic processes• water resource management and planning• flood and floodplain management• flood forecasting• flood damage assessment•mine site water management.

Greg RoadsBE(Civil)(Hons) MIEAust RPEQDIRECTOR / PRINCIPAL ENGINEER

Greg’s extensive knowledge of two-dimensional hydraulic modelling and extreme flood hydrology, together with his background in hydraulics and fluvial geomorphology, give him enormous expertise in floodplain management, designing stream diversions and riverine erosion control techniques.

Greg has played an important role in the flood and environmental flow impact assessment of many of Queensland’s major water infrastructure projects.

He also has vast experience helping local communities to develop flood management strategies.KEY AREAS OF EXPERTISE:• two-dimensional hydraulic modelling• extreme flood hydrology• river engineering• water resource planning• large and small stream diversions• riverine erosion control techniques.

PRINCIPALSWRM’s team of 14 engineers and support staff are led by our four principals. Between them, these four are involved in every project that WRM takes on, ensuring that our clients can rely on high levels of expertise and effective decision making.

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Dr David NewtonBE(Hons) MEngSt PhD MIEAust CPEng RPEQDIRECTOR / PRINCIPAL ENGINEER

David is a highly experienced numerical modeller with specialist expertise in flooding and drainage, stormwater management and water sensitive urban design. He has 20 years’ experience of providing specialist advice on water quality and quantity management and infrastructure design.

He is skilled in finding collaborative, strategic solutions to complex water and environmental problems.KEY AREAS OF EXPERTISE:• urban hydrology• hydraulic design• synthesis and presentation of complex systems

and water-related data sets• flood hydrology• water sensitive urban design• high-quality technical writing• corporate water management strategies.

Michael BatchelorBE (Hons) MEngSt MIEAust RPEQDIRECTOR / PRINCIPAL ENGINEER

Michael’s primary areas of practice include flood protection, stormwater management, mine site water management and water supply planning. His experience in water resources management and environmental impact assessment for major infrastructure projects spans more than 20 years.

He has worked with clients across a diverse range of industries and hydrological conditions to deliver efficient project solutions which fulfil environmental protection requirements.KEY AREAS OF EXPERTISE:• hydrologic modelling for yield analysis and

environmental flow impact assessment• hydrologic and hydraulic modelling for flood

assessment and mitigation• hydraulic design (water distribution systems,

stormwater management infrastructure)•mine site water management• industrial water supply planning.

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COMMUNICATIONDirect, hands-on involvement of our principals

Our directors are all highly experienced engineers who take direct responsibility for each project, meaning clients have direct access to someone capable of making quick and informed decisions.

We’re flexible and can deal with rapidly changing circumstances and quick turnaround times. We listen.

INTEGRITYProfessional integrity is a core value

Our advice is always provided in the best interests of our client, the community and the environment. We’re honest and trustworthy in all we do.

We present all of the relevant facts so that our clients, regulators and the community understand the project risks.

We succeed when our clients succeed.

A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH

TRUSTED BY ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENTWe have worked on projects in every state and territory of Australia, along with various international sites including in China, Thailand and New Caledonia.

Government agencies who trust WRM for water management include:•Asian Development

Bank•Australian Agency

for International Development

•Brisbane City•Byron Shire•Dept. of Land, Planning

and Infrastructure, Northern Territory

•Gold Coast City• Logan City•Mackay Regional

Council•Moreton Bay

Regional Council•NSW Public Works•Queensland Dept. of

Natural Resources

•Queensland Dept. of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning

•Queensland Reconstruction Authority

•Queensland Water Commission

•Redland City Council

• SEQ Water• Somerset Regional

Council• Sunshine Coast

Regional Council• Sunwater• Toowoomba Regional

Council•WA Water•Water for Rivers.

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A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH

TRUSTED BY ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT

Level 9, 135 Wickham Terrace, Spring Hill PO Box 10703 Brisbane Adelaide St Qld 4000

WRM Water & Environment Pty LtdTel 07 3225 0200www.wrmwater.com.au wrm@wrmwater.com.au