ISSUE 2, 2018WATERLINESCoastal adaptation in action2 : WATERLINES : ISSUE 2, 2018Whether it is trip to the beach, casting a line into the ocean or sailing the wide blue, the coast is an integral part of life for many of us. Understanding, preparing for, and responding to the pressures on our coastal environment is central to the projects we undertake. Across Australia we are working with local governments in the development of coastal hazard and adaptation strategies. The development of these strategies includes engagement and collaboration with the local community to better understand their needs and values to support improved planning and prioritisation decisions. By way of example, a recent Western Australian project for the Denham Township that we have undertaken has provided the council with a coastal foreshore plan to optimise use options and to plan for climate change impacts.ANDREW McCOWAN - Managing DirectorWelcome to our latest issue of WaterlinesIn this edition of Waterlines, we showcase recent projects undertaken by Water Technology staff supporting our clients with innovative solutions and understandings of their coastal challenges:• Designing a breakwater reconstruction to improve boat launch safety;• Providing a multi-disciplinary approach to foreshore rejuvenation; and• Understanding coastal groundwater processes and response to climate change.Other projects in this edition include flood recovery and response activities in Tasmania and supporting the renewable energy boom.Thank you for taking the time to read Waterlines. Please do not hesitate to contact me or any of the Water Technology team at any stage if we can be of assistance. WATERLINES : ISSUE 2, 2018 : 3South Burnie breakwater reconstruction and extensionThe Emu Bay boat ramp located in South Burnie on the north-west coast of Tasmania is an important recreation and emergency services boat launch site. During storm events in June and October 2016, an existing outer breakwater protecting the boat ramp was severely damaged. Reconstruction of the breakwater was required to provide safe boat launch access during low tide condtitions. Burnie City Council engaged Water Technology to design the reconstruction and an extension to the breakwater to provide safe conditions at the boat launching site. An approximate 100m long breakwater was designed to protect against Bass Strait storm events. The design incorporated the reuse of existing rock at the site to minimise expense and included an extension of the existing breakwater footprint to enhance safe boat launching conditions. The project included working with Council to coordinate surveys and to set out the location of the breakwater. A technical investigation of design storm conditions was used to specify crest heights and rock size to be used as armour rock, as well as a preferred alignment extension length. Detailed design documentation was produced, including set-out and detailed sections, along with technical specifications for the rock armouring and a schedule of estimated material quantities. This design documentation was used by Council to go to tender. Council consulted Water Technology throughout the tender phase to confirm construction methodologies and material specifications.During the construction phase of the project, Water Technology aided Council with a series of site inspections documenting whether the breakwater was constructed appropriately. July 2017June 2018For more information, contact +61 3105 1460, Paul O'Brien (paul.obrien@watertech.com.au) Christine Lauchlan-Arrowsmith (christine.arrowsmith@watertech.com.au)4 : WATERLINES : ISSUE 2, 2018Coastal Hazard Risk Management and AdaptationWestern Australia Our WA office continues to expand.In March we welcomed Water Technology’s Joanna Garcia-Webb back to her home town. We kicked off her return with two new WA coastal projects: Denham Townsite Coastal Hazard Risk Management and Adaptation Plan (CHRMAP) and the Quinns Beach Access Study. Many coastal communities face coastal erosion and inundation risks. It is anticipated that projected sea level rise and more intense storms from a changing climate may increase and extend these risks to areas currently at low or no risk. These effects have the potential to significantly impact the livelihoods and lifestyles of coastal residents and the natural environment. Decisions and actions that help to prepare for the adverse consequences of a changing climate, as well as taking Plan (CHRMAP). Water Technology personnel prepared a CHRMAP for the township of Denham which delivers a blueprint for adapting and addressing coastal hazards likely to affect Denham. The CHRMAP provides strategic guidance for coordinated, integrated and sustainable decision making by the Shire of Shark Bay regarding future land use planning and management within the project area. The project includes consideration of climate change, including sea level rise, and its impacts on the coastal zone within Denham. It will enable the Shire to optimise its current use of the coastal foreshore and to plan for how this may change in the future.A high level of community and stakeholder engagement to support ownership of the CHRMAP and acceptance of its outcomes was required for this project. Our first engagement activity included an interactive community workshop to collate the community’s values. The collaboration with the local community identified areas and assets in the coastal zone of high social, environment and cultural significance for incorporation into the plan.For more information, contact +61 3 8526 0800Joanna Garcia-Webb (joanna.garcia-webb@watertech.com.au) Christine Lauchlan-Arrowsmith (christine.arrowsmith@watertech.com.au) WATERLINES : ISSUE 2, 2018 : 5The Quinns Beach Access Study is an options assessment and detailed design of a new beach access through the dunes at Quinns Beach, one of the northern beaches in Perth. While meeting the City of Wanneroo’s functional requirements, the design footprint will be kept to a minimum to reduce impacts on dune flora and fauna. The seaward interface of the access way will allow for coastal processes and climate change over the design life of the structure.6 : WATERLINES : ISSUE 2, 2018Groundwater and Coastal EnvironmentsWater Technology is involved in a variety of projects that consider the interactions between shallow groundwater systems and adjacent coastal environments.At Anglesea, in Victoria, investigations are being undertaken to understand if the near-shore movement of groundwater is facilitating the erosion of coastal cliffs and threatening the built environment. These investigations involve understanding the groundwater flow direction in relation to the eroding cliffs and the competency of the materials that form the host aquifer and how they might respond if groundwater levels build-up behind the cliff face. On Kangaroo Island (SA), Water Technology is providing advice on how groundwater processes may respond to climate change. As these shallow groundwater systems discharge to the marine environment, if there is a rise in sea level, how will groundwater levels respond inland – particularly in low-lying coastal zones, will water tables become shallower, Coastal groundwater systems vary widely and are influenced by local geology, groundwater flow processes and connectivity to the marine environment. The impacts on coastal groundwater systems of climate change range from varied recharge/inflow, rising water tables and land salinisation to restricted discharge to marine environments. WATERLINES : ISSUE 2, 2018 : 7Signs of how groundwater systems might express themselves within the natural coastal environment include the presence of seeps and springs at the toes of cliffs, or whether beaches remain saturated at low tide. Additionally, observations of native water birds as they congregate at certain parts of the shore or whether some forms of shellfish, that prefer occasional fresh waters concentrate, indicate near-shore discharge of groundwaters. On your next ‘day at the beach’ have a look around and you may well be surprised at what you can deduce of natural groundwater systems.will low lying land surfaces be increasingly subjected to inundation or salinization? With predicted altered rainfall patterns, how will current groundwater recharge and discharge processes respond and what ramifications may be expected within coastal zones to altered water table fluctuations. The built environment also needs consideration as natural systems respond to predicted change. For more information, contact +61 8 8378 8000Andrew Telfer (andrew.telfer@watertech.com.au) Alison Charles (alison.charles@watertech.com.au)In June 2016, Tasmania was subject to widespread flooding that resulted in significant loss of land, property, stock infrastructure and unfortunately life. In response to the flooding, the Tasmanian State Government developed the Agricultural Landscape Rehabilitation Scheme (ALRS) to assist flood-affected landowners and communities by funding projects aimed at the rehabilitation of land and stream systems damaged by the June 2016 floods. The focus of the program was to restore the capacity of the primary production sector and reduce impacts of future floods on productive land.Water Technology has worked with NRM North to complete a large number of site assessments across northern Tasmania as part of the ALRS program. Specifically, the project involved undertaking site assessments to provide geomorphic and river engineering advice for individual landholders with consideration of the processes, issues and threats occurring across each site/reach and to prepare preliminary mitigation strategies that can be employed to improve flood resilience and protect assets across the project area into the future.A series of workshops involving key project stakeholders and affected landholders were undertaken throughout the project. The workshops provided an opportunity for the community to ask direct questions about their circumstances to better understand their recovery and rehabilitation options. Water Technology subsequently developed over 20 designs of waterway management works at specific flood-damaged sites across the State.8 : WATERLINES : ISSUE 2, 2018For more information, contact +61 7 3105 1460Julian Martin (julian.martin@watertech.com.au) Michael Cheetham (michael.cheetham@watertech.com.au)Flood recovery in TasmaniaAgricultural Landscape Rehabilitation SchemeThe last few years have seen remarkable growth in renewable energy. In recent years, Water Technology has helped several clients secure planning approvals for some of the largest renewable energy projects in Australia. We are excited by the growth in the renewables sector and believe that this work closely aligns with our company purpose, “to make a difference”. Water Technology has provided expertise on surface water, groundwater and biodiversity, assessing the risks of major wind and solar projects for Environmental Effects Statements, proposing appropriate mitigation measures to minimise risk, and recommending approaches to manage residual risk. The five most recent wind and solar farm projects Water Technology has worked on will provide enough electricity to power up to 975,000 homes sustainably, now that is truly making a difference!Supporting the Renewable Energy BoomFor more information, contact +61 3 8526 0800Ben Tate (ben.tate@watertech.com.au) Ben Hughes (ben.hughes@watertech.com.au)For more information about HydroNET contact +61 3 8526 0800 Brian Jackson (brian.jackson@watertech.com.au) WATERLINES : ISSUE 2, 2018 : 9Improving timely access to data with the HydroNET Water Control RoomManaging and accessing data from multiple sources is a common challenge faced by many organisations. The Goulburn-Broken CMA needed a solution that allowed timely access of data to inform better decision making. An innovative cloud-based platform was developed and implemented by Water Technology for the CMA using HydroNET. The platform connects various data sources and provides personalised dashboards and information anywhere, anytime. This enables staff to securely and easily view, watch and report on real-time water quality, rainfall and river flow data from an external database via personalised web dashboards.Next >