Land Development Engineering

Land Development engineering is a key part of our service. It combines our experience in site investigations, feasibility studies, resource management planning, infrastructure and civil engineering design and project management.

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Our approach is based on gaining a thorough understanding of our client’s objectives, agreeing a clear scope of works and working collaboratively through the consenting and design phases with all project stakeholders.

Through this collaborative model we have successfully delivered a range of greenfield and brownfield land development projects and 3 waters infrastructure projects.

Land Development Engineering – What We Do

Since the early 1990’s almost all parts of New Zealand have been experiencing an increasing housing shortage. Over the same period, house prices in the major cities have risen considerably faster than incomes, putting increasing pressure on public housing providers and developers to provide “affordable housing”.

GWE’s land development services have been keeping pace with the changing market conditions and we have developed innovative and cost-efficient solutions for intensive development on smaller sites.

We undertake the following Land Development related work:

Due diligence advice
Feasibility assessment
Development master planning
Land development and subdivisions

Commercial and residential developments
3 waters infrastructure
Sports and recreation facilities

Contaminated Land Assessment

GWE provides a wide range of contaminated land management services and we work in partnership with our clients to find cost-effective and practical solutions to remediating sites to comply with National Environmental Standards. We provide our clients with the following services:

Resource consent application and guidance
Preliminary site investigations
Detailed site investigations
Remediation action plans

Site management plans
Site validation and certification
Professional evidence and expert witness

Geotechnical Engineering

Our engineers plan and undertake site investigations that provide the design information to develop a range of solutions for complex geotechnical conditions that affect land development projects including slope stability, liquefaction, foundations, ground support systems and groundwater control. We provide our clients with the following services:

Due diligence reporting and pre-purchase inspections
Site investigations
Geological/geotechnical analysis

Geotechnical design
Construction monitoring and inspections

Earthworks Design

GWE has extensive capability in earthworks design for roads, subdivisions and clean fill sites ensuring site stability conditions are met and there is a cut-fill balance. We specialise in the design of earthworks over soft alluvial soils and in the design of ground improvement methods to enhance settlement rates. In addition, careful design of earthworks with geotextile reinforcement can lead to the creation of near vertical walls and development platforms that can allow highly constrained sites to become developable. We provide our clients with the following services:

Slope stability analysis
3D modelling and cut-fill balance
Drainage blankets
Counterfort drains

Palisade walls
Mechanically stabilised earth walls
Site works supervision and certification

Stormwater Management

GWE’s approach to stormwater management incorporates identifying client and community needs, evaluating flood and stormwater discharge effects on the environment and developing Water Sensitive Design (WSD) solutions to manage those effects. Site-specific, sustainable outcomes are achieved through a balanced use of conventional stormwater infrastructure, WSD devices and enhanced natural systems.

GWE has extensive experience with the hydraulic modelling and design of open channels and stormwater pipelines for greenfield and brownfield developments and with the design of stormwater management devices for the retention and detention of stormwater to minimize the effects of erosion and scour on stream environments. We provide our clients with the following services:

Resource consent applications
Stormwater management plans
Stormwater networks design

Flood impact assessment
Erosion and sediment control plans

Flood Impact Assessments

Flooding is a common hazard for many developments in urban and rural environments and is based on numerous factors including site topography, rainfall intensity/duration and soil conditions. GWE undertakes hydrologic and hydraulic modelling for sites that are prone to flooding. We identify the extent of overland flow paths and flood plains and advise our clients on how to develop sites and mitigate the effects of flooding. We use techniques such as:

LiDAR surveys
GIS tools

Rapid flood hazard assessments
Industry standard modelling software

Water Reticulation

We assist our clients with the design of water networks and pressure boosting pump stations. Our team of engineers are highly experienced in network modelling, reticulation layouts, hydraulic/mechanical/civil design, materials selection, water hammer analysis and construction techniques for pipelines and pump stations that are eventually vested in Council or owned and operated by industry or body corporates:

Network modelling
Reticulation layout and design

Reservoir siting and design
Pressure boosting stations

Sewerage Reticulation

GWE has extensive experience with the design of wastewater pipelines and pump stations. Our team of engineers are highly experienced in pipeline route selection, hydraulic/mechanical/civil design, materials selection, water hammer analysis and construction techniques for pipelines and pump stations that are eventually vested in Council or privately owned and operated by industry or body corporates. We provide our clients with the following services:

Network modelling
Reticulation layout and design

Low pressure and vacuum collection systems
Pumping stations

Road/Pavement Design

GWE’s provides engineering services for road and pavement design for sub-divisions and commercial/industrial site development. We work with developers, private individuals and councils. We have the expertise to design public and private roads to meet local conditions and Council standards. We provide our clients with the following services:

Geotechnical investigations
Earthworks design
Road geometry design

Traffic engineering
Pavement design

Sports and Recreation

We are able to provide engineering design services for your sport, recreation or community facility project using our team of experienced geotechnical, environmental and civil engineers. Whether your facility is a clubhouse, gymnasium, grandstand, community centre, events centre or similar we are able to work with you and your project team to provide an exciting design that is expected to exceed your expectations. We provide our clients with the following services: