EXCELLENCE IN WATER ENGINEERING FOR THE

WRM UNDERSTANDS WATER IN THE TERRITORY

WRM Water & Environment has a wealth of Julian joined WRM in 2006 and has worked as a experience in the Northern Territory ever since surface water specialist throughout his career. His completing a comprehensive flood study of the broad experience in all aspects of surface water in the late 1990s. We have advised assessment spans the government, mining and miners, developers and government agencies on how development sectors. Long-time Territorian Phill to best manage water in the wide range of climatic Piper has over 40 years’ experience working as a conditions that occur across the top end. professional engineer with the NT Public Service and as a consultant. Our Darwin office was established in 2018 to better service our NT clients. In 2021, our office relocated to Our Darwin-based modelling team enables us to offer larger premises in Whitfield Street. The NT office team dedicated local resources to our NT clients. We are has expanded to include WRM Principal Julian Orth also able to call on the wider WRM team of more than (NT Office Manager), a specialist Project Engineer, 20 specialist engineers to take on the largest and most and NT Business Development Manager Phill Piper. complicated projects in the Territory.

KNOTTS CROSSING UPSTREAM OF KATHERINE

3 WRM KNOWS WATER

Our specialist team has resolved water management We have demonstrated high-level expertise in: issues for the private sector and all levels of • flood hydrology government throughout . We deal with water at all scales, from a single allotment to an entire • regional water strategy and policy development river basin. • mine water management We have developed planning and policy tools, designed • erosion and sediment control water management infrastructure and provided • water quality monitoring and management detailed advice to help our clients achieve their goals. Our plain-language reports are technically sound • floodplain management and comprehensive. • flood damage assessment We help our clients manage risk and give them a • flood mitigation options assessment well-researched, logical basis to deal with competing interests for water resources. • stormwater drainage and management • 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 • water balance and contaminant transport modelling • water supply planning and security assessment.

4 WRM KNOWS WATER

McARTHUR RIVER WET SEASON FLOWS AT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY CROSSING AT

5 COMPREHENSIVE UNDERSTANDING

Our knowledge isn’t limited to water engineering. Our key NT experience includes: By bringing an understanding of policy development, • McArthur River Mine government procedures and legislative requirements to • Katherine Flood and Flood Mitigation Studies our work, we are able to give advice and prepare reports • Flood Study which minimise risk and are ready to implement. • Jervois Base Metals Project • Kilgariff development We’ve helped federal, state and local governments to • Alice Springs Flood and Flood Mitigation Studies have confidence in their planning and decision making. • Tennant Creek Stormwater Investigation This has included managing catchments and river • Darwin CBD Stormwater Investigation systems, reviewing development proposals, preparing • Yuelamu Water Supply Investigations for future flood events and ensuring that water quality • Nathan River Resources Project is managed effectively throughout a region. • Elizabeth River Flood Studies • Litchfield Council Stormwater Investigations • Batchelor Solar Farm Flood study • Livingstone Solar Farms Flood Study • Flood insurance assessments • GEMCO Flood Impact Assessments • Gove closure plan.

EXAMPLES OF OUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE INCLUDE: Developing water management strategies in a Identifying and managing major river floods challenging environment We completed a comprehensive set of flood depth As we did for McArthur River Mine. The water and hazard maps for events up to the Probable management strategy identified the required Maximum Flood across the Adelaide River infrastructure and management approaches to floodplain. The flood model results were used to deal with the complex interactions of flooding, identify the existing flood risk and flood hazards groundwater and mine process water across the throughout the Adelaide River town area including site. Our work included additional drainage and the Stuart Highway and to determine the potential flood studies, designing new water management for development in the town area. In addition, flood infrastructure, preparing annual water balances and emergency response classifications and potential providing advice on regulatory matters. flood evacuation routes were determined for the Adelaide River Town for different magnitudes of flooding.

6 COMPREHENSIVE UNDERSTANDING

Assessing water use and impacts for new Managing flooding and stormwater in the mining development urban environment WRM advised on water impacts for the Jervois We developed a flood and stormwater management Base Metal Project, a proposed copper, lead and plan for the Kilgariff estate, about 9 km south of zinc mine located about 270 km northeast of Alice Alice Springs. A key challenge was to define a Springs. Surface water management at the project drainage strategy that was sympathetic to the local needs to ensure adequate water supply for operations environment but maximised the developable areas while managing runoff during the wet months, and is with sufficient immunity from flooding from the Todd complicated by legacy infrastructure on the site. A River and St Marys Creek. Stormwater management comprehensive surface water management system was problematic, given the very low relief and was developed for the project which will ensure ill-defined drainage lines. The study delivered a water supply, minimise import water and protect provisional development layout for future demand, as downstream ecosystems. well as flood mitigation measures.

MINERALISED ROCK OUTCROP AT JERVOIS BASE METAL PROJECT 7 SOLUTIONS TO COMPLEX PROBLEMS

KNOWLEDGE SPECIALISATION We understand policy development as well as water Skills to handle the most complex of problems Faced with many complex inputs and vast areas, We’ve spent many years studying and working in all it’s vital that engineers understand the specific aspects of water engineering, and have developed a requirements of government. Our experience set of skills and experience which set us apart from working with all levels of government across Australia other engineering firms. In fact, we’re often hired by and internationally means that our work is always other consulting companies to peer review their work. relevant to a policy framework. We are able to overcome complex and rare problems That experience also extends to working across with competing priorities, that are simply beyond the diverse climates and geologies. scope of more generalist companies.

8 SOLUTIONS TO COMPLEX PROBLEMS

INNOVATION RELIABILITY Clever thinking, underpinned by thorough research Robust, impartial advice that stands up to scrutiny We know when – and how – to modify existing We’re proud of our reputation for thorough methods and designs to come up with original ways to preparation and review of our technically robust meet each project’s unique challenges. reports, advice and recommendations. We do thorough research and take nothing for To our clients, it adds up to confidence. We provide granted, resulting in tailor-made solutions that stand solutions that don’t have to be revisited, with all the the test of time. 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.

VICTORIA RIVER AT TIMBER CREEK

9 THE 1998 KATHERINE RIVER FLOOD INUNDATED MOST OF KATHERINE

FLOOD MAPS IDENTIFY THE EXTENT AND DEPTH OF FLOODING FOR DIFFERENT SIZED FLOODS

10 CASE STUDY KATHERINE FLOOD INVESTIGATIONS Detailed flood and flood mitigation study for the Northern Territory Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics.

THE CHALLENGE THE RESULT Katherine has experienced significant flooding in the The flood modelling results were also used to identify past, including in 1931, 1940, 1957, 1998 and 2006. the existing flood risk and flood hazards throughout the The 1998 flood event, which is the largest on record Katherine town, to determine potential flood mitigation with an annual exceedance probability of less than measures and then to select and design the most 0.5%, inundated almost the entire town and caused appropriate structural mitigation measures. extensive damage. The flood modelling showed that it is possible to The key challenge for this project was to identify cost- significantly reduce flooding of properties in Katherine effective flood risk management measures to reduce during smaller, more frequent floods, such as a 5% AEP the risk of damage, disruption and costs associated with flood event. However, structural mitigation options major flooding in Katherine. would not work for larger floods such as the 1% AEP or rarer flood events. The study identified potential Detailed calibrated flood models were used to identify mitigation measures which included a combination flood-affected properties, potential structural flood of structural measures such as levees and drainage mitigation measures for Katherine and any culturally works, and non-structural measures such as land sensitive sites or areas potentially affected by use and planning controls. The adopted structural such measures. mitigation measures included a combination of levees and drainage works. The levee design included a combination of earth embankments and concrete walls.

11 NT LEADERSHIP

Julian Orth Phill Piper BE (Hons) ME (Eng Sc) MIEAust CPEng RPEQ CPESC FIEAust CP Eng NT MANAGER/PRINCIPAL ENGINEER ASSOCIATE NT BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Julian has 15 years of experience in hydrological Phill Piper has over 40 years’ experience working as a and hydraulic modelling, floodplain management, professional engineer both within the Commonwealth river engineering and water balance assessments. and Northern Territory Public Services and as a free- He has undertaken numerous major flood studies lance consultant dealing with complex engineering throughout Australia and is an expert at developing design, construction and environmental issues. detailed hydrologic, 1D/2D hydraulic and water balance models in both urban and rural areas. Phill has worked in the areas of water supply, sewerage, airports, bridges, roads and drainage with Julian is experienced in surface water impact his main expertise being in subdivisional design, assessments having led numerous studies in support environmental assessment and drainage including of environmental approvals for major projects water sensitive urban design. His experience includes across Australia. many major projects such as the East Arm port, the Darwin Waterfront precinct, the Glyde Point Julian has extensive experience in the Northern Industrial development, development of the City of Territory, having overseen or directly undertaken Palmerston, the proposed new city of Weddell and a modelling and reporting for numerous projects significant range of other infrastructure projects. in the Northern Territory across a wide range of government and private sectors. KEY AREAS OF EXPERTISE: • urban and industrial subdivisional developments KEY AREAS OF EXPERTISE: • environmental assessments including • urban hydrology, stormwater management of resolution of impacts with NT management and WSUD and Commonwealth agencies. • hydrologic, hydraulic & water quality modelling • water-sensitive urban design • fluvial geomorphology & river engineering • planning of marine developments • mine site water management • contaminated site remediation • Environmental impact assessment • project management of large, complex • flood and floodplain management infrastructure projects. • erosion and sediment control.

12 DIRECTORS WRM’s team is led by our four directors. Our directors are involved in every project that WRM takes on, ensuring that our clients can rely on high levels of expertise and effective decision-making.

Dr Sharmil Markar Dr David Newton BSc(Eng) (Hons) PhD FIEAust CPEng RPEQ IPE(Aus) APEC Engineer BE(Hons) MEngSt PhD MIEAust CPEng RPEQ DIRECTOR / SENIOR PRINCIPAL ENGINEER DIRECTOR / SENIOR PRINCIPAL ENGINEER

With over 35 years in water resource management, David is a highly experienced numerical modeller Sharmil has worked on projects across all market with specialist expertise in flooding and drainage, sectors in all Australian states and territories, as stormwater management and water sensitive urban well as several countries overseas. This includes a design. He has more than 25 years’ experience number of years in China undertaking major flood of providing specialist advice on water quality and management, flood forecasting and water resource quantity management and infrastructure design. allocation and management projects. He is skilled in finding collaborative, He has been commissioned to peer review hydrologic strategic solutions to complex water and and hydraulic modelling of several major water environmental problems. infrastructure projects in Queensland.

Greg Roads Michael Batchelor BE(Civil)(Hons) MIEAust RPEQ BE (Hons) MEngSt MIEAust RPEQ DIRECTOR / SENIOR PRINCIPAL ENGINEER DIRECTOR / SENIOR PRINCIPAL ENGINEER

Greg’s extensive knowledge of two-dimensional Michael’s primary areas of practice include flood hydraulic modelling, extreme flood hydrology, protection, stormwater management, mine site hydraulics and fluvial geomorphology, give him water management and water supply planning. enormous expertise in floodplain management, His experience in water resources management stream diversions and riverine erosion control. and environmental impact assessment for major infrastructure projects spans more than 25 years. Greg has played an important role in the flood and environmental flow impact assessment of many of He has worked with clients across a diverse range Queensland’s major water infrastructure projects. of industries and hydrological conditions to deliver He also has vast experience helping local communities efficient project solutions which fulfil environmental to develop flood management strategies. protection requirements.

13 TRUSTED ADVICE FOR THE NORTHERN TERRITORY We have worked on projects in every state and territory of Australia, along with various international sites including in China, Thailand and New Caledonia. We are registered with the NT ICN as a local business. Clients we have advised on water issues in NT include: • Bowden McCormack Lawyers & Advisors • Insurance Australia Group • Bureau of Meteorology • TIO Insurance • Australia Insurance Group • KGL Resources • Department of Environment, Parks and Water • NRR Services Security • NT Solar Futures • Department of Infrastructure, Planning and • Land Development Corporation Logistics • Byrne Consulting • Department of Health • Litchfield Council • Glencore • Rio Tinto • McArthur River Mining • South32. A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH COMMUNICATION INTEGRITY Direct, hands-on involvement of our principals Professional integrity is a core value Our directors are all highly experienced engineers Our advice is always provided in the best interests who take direct responsibility for each project, of our client, the community and the environment. meaning clients have direct access to someone We’re honest and trustworthy in all we do. capable of making quick and informed decisions. We present all of the relevant facts so that our We’re flexible and can deal with rapidly changing clients, regulators and the community understand circumstances and quick turnaround times. the project risks. We listen. We succeed when our clients succeed.

14 TRUSTED ADVICE FOR THE NORTHERN TERRITORY

A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH WRM Water & Environment Pty Ltd Tel 08 8911 0060 wrmwater.com.au [email protected]

3 Whitfield Street, Darwin NT 0800 GPO Box 43348 Casuarina, NT 0811