A NEWSLETTER FOR CLIENTS OF GOLDER ASSOCIATES IN THE SYDNEY REGION

SYDNEY

Issue 2

Quarter 3 2008

www.golder.com

Golder Associates Sydney now enjoys harbour views from their new office in St. Leonards on the North Shore.

Best NSW Professional Services Firm Win

Golder Associates Australian operation has again received its clients seal of approval with two wins in the BRW Client Choice Awards.
Golder was recognised as the Best Australian Engineering Consulting Firm (Revenue $50M to $200M) as well as the Best NSW Professional Services Firm. Golder Associates Sydney Office Manager, Graham Scholey, said: We are extremely proud to have received this award, especially against stiff competition from other professional services firms in NSW including legal firms. Managing Director Australasia, Darren Watt, said: Last year was an extremely challenging one for us all and saw the company grow at over 25%. Maintaining the dedication to client service excellence in this context is something we should all be proud of. Since the awards began in 2005 Golder Associates has been recognised eight times for client service excellence including: Best Professional Services Firm (Revenue $20M to $100M) 2006, 2007 Best Consulting Engineering Firm (Revenue $50M to $200M) 2006, 2007, 2008 Best NSW Professional Services Firm 2008 Best Victorian Professional Services Firm 2007 Best West Australian Professional Services Firm 2007.

New Office
Due to growth and expansion of our services, Golder Associates Sydney moved to larger premises in February 2008. We have experienced a high staff growth rate over the past two years, says Office Manager Graham Scholey. Our new accommodation will give us room for any additional growth required to ensure we can always respond to our clients needs. As of the end of Q2 this year, the office experienced a 14% annual growth taking the total staff count to more than 50. The new office has several meeting room options for client meetings, and a large entertainment space. Of the new space Scholey says, We are looking forward to welcoming clients to our new home. Staff also enjoy the views of the harbour from the large kitchen and lunch area. New internal structures have also been put into place to enhance our efficiency towards our clients by sharing resources and improving communication. Golder Associates Sydney is now located at 124 Pacific Highway, St. Leonards, New South Wales 2065, Australia. Other contact details remain unchanged: PO Box 1302, Crows Nest NSW 1585. T: +61 2 9478 3900.

Port Botany Expansion

Construction has now started on the container port terminal expansion at Sydneys Port Botany - one of the largest port projects in Australia in the last 30 years.
Due for completion early in 2011, the expanded facilities will cater for forecast increases in container trade demand over the next 20 years. Golder Associates is providing geotechnical and environmental services for the infrastructure upgrade as part of the Baulderstone Hornibrook Jan De Nul Consortium (BH-JDN). Golder provided geotechnical advice to BH-JDN during the tender phase and is now working with design partners Hyder and Scott-Wilson providing consultancy services during detail design and into construction. The Port Botany Expansion project includes infrastructure for a new container terminal, including almost 2 km of extra berth length and reclamation of about 60 hectares of new land between the existing terminal and (cont on Page 3)

IN THIS ISSUE
02 LANDSLIDE HAZARD MAP | NEW NSW WASTE CLASSIFICATION GUIDELINES 03 PORT BOTANY EXPANSION | LANDFILL GAS SEMINARS 04 SEWERAGE SCHEME | ISO AUDIT SUCCESSFUL | NEW APPOINTMENTS: CRAIG SCHULZ

Issue 2

Quarter 3 2008

www.golder.com

The Development of a Landslide Hazard Map

In June 2005 several landslides occurred in a hilly residential area of SE Queensland following rainfall of up to 600 mm over a three-day period. Several impacted properties were evacuated until remedial works had been completed.
The landslide gained widespread media coverage and the residents appealed to the local council to assure them of their safety, asking several questions: What is the possibility that landslides could occur in the future? When might they happen? Where would they occur? What could be done to prevent landslides? To assist Council in responding to these issues, Golder Associates developed a landslide hazard map. The map was intended as a tool to respond to questions about where and when future landslides could occur. Many local government areas use hazard maps to assist them with risk management.

New NSW Waste Classification Guidelines

New waste regulations that came into effect in April 2008 have significance for anyone moving fill from one area to another in NSW, and will particularly affect those in Sydney. This will mean changes for developers and the waste industry, among others. The NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) amended Schedule 1 of the Protection of the Operations (POEO) Act (1997), Schedule 1 of the POEO (General) Regulation (1998), and the POEO (Waste) Regulation (2005). The changes are designed to simplify environment protection licensing under the POEO Act. In particular, the amending regulation simplifies the waste regulatory framework, introducing clearer licensing categories for waste facilities, a new waste classification system and a mechanism for facilitating genuine resource recovery.

The crest of the largest landslide partly undermined the rear of several properties causing significant damage but no loss of life.

The map illustrates the geographic distribution of the likelihood of landslides relative to other locations within the mapped area. The map does not explain the consequences and hence the risk to persons or property from landslides. There were several hundred houses in the area of concern, and a risk assessment for every property on the hill would have been expensive and time consuming. The landslide hazard map was used to help prioritise risk assessment to a limited number of properties with the greatest likelihood of landslides. To build the map, Golder Associates considered factors that influence the likelihood of landslides. These typically include the slope of the land, geology and soil types, and type of land cover. For example, landslides are more likely in steeper terrain, and are more likely in certain types of geological conditions. Further, the slope of the land may have a greater impact on the likelihood of landslides compared to the type of land cover. Weighting values were assigned to each of the factors relative to the others. For example, slope was given a 40% weighting compared to land cover, which was given a 10% weighting. In addition, different weightings were given depending on the steepness of the slope, type of geology and type of land cover. The factor land cover slopes which were vegetated, for example, were given a lower weighting value than slopes that had been cleared of vegetation, and were hence considered more vulnerable to landslides. The weightings were used to calculate a hazard score for finite areas. The hazard scores were then converted to qualitative hazard classes (from very low to very high) which were plotted to create the landslide hazard map. Subsequent to this map being developed site-specific risk assessments were carried out for the properties within high and very high hazard areas. The outcome was the need for risk management strategies at some of the properties. Contact: Graham Scholey T: +61 2 9478 3900.
New waste classification guidelines will affect anyone moving fill from one area to another in NSW.

The new regulation is named the Protection of the Environment Operations Amendment (Scheduled Activities and Waste) Regulation 2008. The new DECC document Waste Classification Guidelines - Parts 1 & 2 (April 2008) replaces the Environment Protection Authoritys (EPAs) previous Environmental Guidelines: Assessment, Classification & Management of Liquid & Non-liquid Wastes (1999, 2004). Further changes were introduced on 20 June 2008 relating to a General Exemption under the POEO (Waste) Regulation for Excavated Natural Material (ENM). This exemption applies to excavated natural material not otherwise classified as Virgin Excavated Natural Material (VENM) which meets a set of chemical analysis criteria. Contact: David Johnson, Shane Doyle, Ian McLennan or Colm Molloy T: +61 2 9478 3900.

Landslide Hazard Map

Very high High Moderate Low Very low

A landslide hazard map was developed as a result of concerns raised following several landslides occurring in a hilly residential area of SE Queensland after rainfall of up to 600 mm over a three-day period.

Issue 2

Quarter 3 2008

www.golder.com

Landfill Gas Seminars

Golder Associates national Waste sector team recently hosted a series of seminars around Australia on Landfill Gas and Emissions Trading Issues and Opportunities. The recent changes in Federal legislation and particularly the advent of an Australian Emissions Trading Scheme made this crucial timing for the seminars. In Sydney, Golder Associates partnered with leading climate change lawyers Baker & McKenzie.

Port Botany Expansion (continued from page 1)

Sydney Airports third runway. Dredging to accommodate this reclamation will amount to approximately 7 million cubic metres and is intended to be confined to the footprint of new and existing navigational channels. The new berth structures will require the construction of blockwork and counterfort retaining walls up to 21.5m high and extensive revetment edge structures. An additional reclamation area adjacent to Foreshore Road will provide a new four-lane public boating ramp, parking areas and enclosed fish-cleaning facilities. Foreshore Beach will also be restored and enhanced with a new pedestrian bridge over Foreshore Road, and new amenities along the beach including pedestrian lookouts and walkways. A new terminal access bridge will be constructed in addition to a future rail corridor, which will ensure continued access for freight to the new terminal while minimising the impact on Foreshore Road. Understanding the geotechnical issues on the site is of key importance given the volume of dredging and reclamation and the size of new berth structures. Golder was responsible for interpretation and understanding of key geotechnical constraints on the site, including: A major north-south palaeochannel in bedrock, roughly parallel to wharf alignment; Variable fines content including unsuitable borrow material within shallow loose sediments; Managing discontinuous organic peat and clay lenses within a major dredge layer; Assessment of the type and impact of strength reducing fissures in very stiff to hard clays; and Presence of previous dredge box (for construction of parallel runway) immediately under proposed reclamation area. The geotechnical team managed by Golder has peaked at 20 staff out of the design team of 90, and includes seconded personnel from Hyder Consulting. The geotechnical design has been led by a core team of geotechnical engineers and engineering geologists from the Sydney office, while drawing on key expertise from Melbourne, Brisbane and Denver (US). The geotechnical team has been located in the project office since January 2008 and continues strongly towards completion of final detailed design. Detailed geotechnical design for the terminal retaining structures, including the 640 tonne pre-cast concrete counterfort units, reclamations and dredging has been a dynamic and challenging process. Detailed geotechnical analyses of berth structure stability and movements, reclamation settlement and back analysis of existing structures have been undertaken using a wide range of geotechnical software packages including PLAXIS, Settle 3D and in-house settlement analysis software. Geotechnical analyses and design has addressed all aspects of stability and serviceability design of retaining structures including detailed seismic design, foundation design including detailed ground improvement design, settlement predictions and effects on existing infrastructure. The project performance is governed by strict design criteria and is subject to rigorous client and external scrutiny, monitoring requirements and construction compliance testing. Several supplementary geotechnical and environmental investigations have been carried out by Golder as part of detailed design. The extensive monitoring program includes a series of ground improvement trials and progressive and detailed monitoring of wall movements and reclamation settlements. These will be critical in confirming the predicted behaviour of the counterfort retaining structures and surface infrastructure in order to satisfy criteria extending up to 100 years following hand-over. Golder is expected to take a significant role during construction of the new terminal and surface infrastructure. Ongoing geotechnical advice during construction, as well as construction supervision, will provide the Sydney geotechnical group with long-term exposure on the largest infrastructure and port developments in New South Wales recent history. Contact: Phil Davies T: +61 2 9478 3900.

Colm Molloy, Golder Associates NSW landfill gas leader.

Presenting for Golder Associates were Bob Gregory and Colm Molloy. Bob is based in the UK and is a global leader in landfill gas with more than 25 years experience in landfill gas management in the UK and Europe. Colm (pictured) is based in Sydney and is Golder Associates NSW landfill gas leader. Feedback from both the Waste and Finance sectors indicated that the seminars provided them with greater clarity and direction within this changing regulatory Managing Problem Waste environment. Golder Associates Waste team has since been invited to tender for several collaborative projects as a direct result of opportunities raised at the seminars. Landfill owners are increasingly selling landfill gas as energy. Golder Associates performs financial project analyses to utilise this energy source and to prove economic viability. In addition, we provide credit valuation knowledge on multiple exchanges, including registration costs and projecting yearly revenues, to provide best value for greenhouse gas credits. Contact: Colm Molloy T: +61 2 9478 3900.

A landfill gas plant.

An artists impression of the expanded facilities at Port Botany, due for completion in 2011.

Issue 2

Quarter 3 2008

www.golder.com

Three Towns Sewerage Scheme

The Three Towns Sewerage Scheme is part of the NSW Governments Priority Sewerage Program for the upgrade of sewerage infrastructure in the outer parts of Sydney.
The proposed Scheme will provide public sewerage infrastructure for the rural towns of Glossodia, Freemans Reach and Wilberforce to the north-west of Sydney. The project involves construction of a pressured and sealed sewerage network between the Richmond Sewage Treatment Plant and the three towns, including a crossing of the Hawkesbury River. The network would require 30 km of sewerage network and 20 km of transfer pipelines, as well as sewage pumping stations in each of the three towns. Approximately 1,500 property owners in the three towns would have the opportunity to connect to the new system.

New Appointments
Craig Schultz is a hydrologist with 30 years experience gained on projects across Africa, Ireland and Mauritius. He joined the Sydney office in April 2008 and says he is very much enjoying the positive attitude of his Sydney colleagues. Craigs work covers consulting business in the water sector as well as multidisciplinary project management, research, education, hydrological model development and data management. Craig, a former director of a South African engineering consultancy, specialises in both surface and groundwater resources in areas including integrated catchment management, hydrological modelling, reservoir yield analyses, quantification of water requirements and the development of water-related software. His risk-based time series models of rainfall recharge to groundwater have been used on mining sites in Ireland and prospects in Malawi. Other projects include the Zincor smelter site, South Africa; Orapa mine, Botswana; and Cahora Bassa Dam Hydropower, Mozambique. Sydney has a strong groundwater team and Craig will be looking to further complement this by growing the surface water business. He is particularly interested in the impact of climate change on water resources. Contact: Craig Schultz T: +61 2 9478 3900.

The grazing land at Freemans Reach will benefit from the Three Towns Sewerage Scheme.

Golder Associates carried out a geotechnical investigation for the project, which involved horizontal directional drilling and microbores under a railway line. The geotechnical investigation provided assessment of the ground conditions throughout the alignment to assist with design and selection of construction methods for the pipelines, and gave recommendations for the design of sewage pumping stations. Residents will see health benefits from connecting to the sewer by cutting the number of septic systems in their area. This reduces risks to public health and helps improve local waterways. If approved, construction is expected to start on the scheme in early 2009. Connections are likely to be progressively available from 2011 in stages across the three towns. Contact: Bernie Francis T: +61 2 9478 3900.

ISO Audit Successful, Award from BP

Golder Associates Sydney has successfully passed an ISO audit to ensure compliance with key standards. The office is triple certified in Quality (ISO 9001:2000), Health and Safety (OHSAS 18001) and Environment (ISO 14001:2004). External auditors were impressed with Golder Associates systems. The office has also received a Certificate of High Achievement from BP in recognition of high standards attained in Health, Safety, Security and Environmental management systems during the 2008 BP Accredited Contractor Program. We are very proud of this achievement, says Ana Kingi, Administration Manager,, who worked with Kylie Lloyd, Noel Peters and an external auditor to achieve the Certificate. BP carry out regular audits as part of their requirements for approval as an accredited supplier, and their standards are some of the most stringent in the industry. This means that our Sydney clients can rest assured that Golder is solidly focussed on a working environment where Health, Safety and the Environment are at the forefront, says Ana.

AUSTRALIA OFFICES: ADELAIDE +61 8 8213 2100 BRISBANE +61 7 3721 5400 CAIRNS +61 7 4051 2033 HERVEY BAY +61 7 4194 0590 MAROOCHYDORE +61 7 5475 5900 MELBOURNE +61 3 8862 3500 PERTH +61 8 9213 7600 SYDNEY +61 2 9478 3900 TOWNSVILLE +61 7 4727 1700

Locally Speaking Sydney is a local publication for valued clients and employees of Golder Associates Pty Ltd. Please contact Graham Scholey, gscholey@golder.com.au or 02 9478 3914, if you have any questions or comments. A new issue of Golders innovation newsletter Technically Speaking is now available online at www. golder.com. This issue looks at some of the ways our clients are taking action to reduce the effects of activities that could potentially contribute to climate change, as well as steps to address changes that have already occurred.
Editor: Sally Wilkes. Designed and produced by Golder Associates. 2008 Golder Associates Pty Ltd.