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Last year, Auckland Council ran a series of one-day training sessions on how to use erosion and sediment control (ESC) principles to reduce the negative impacts on the environment that can occur when undertaking land disturbing activities. The intent was also to have delegates gain clarity on requirements and thus, save time, reduce re-works and risks when applying for resource consents.

The courses were well received, and we are going to hold a further series in 2023 with the next date on 20 July 2023. We would encourage you to attend or to recommend it to others who may benefit from this opportunity.

The training incorporates current best practice and utilises information from GD05, ‘Erosion and Sediment Control Guide for Land Disturbing Activities in the Auckland Region’. It is highly applicable to erosion and sediment control practices throughout New Zealand.

The course
Delegates will gain a sound understanding of ESC principles as well as Council’s current requirements to ensure resource consent compliance when undertaking works involving land disturbance. It includes preparing and assessing erosion and sediment control plans used for resource consent applications.

Who should attend
It is highly relevant for designers and contractors/ implementers and regulators, who design, construct, operate and maintain or approve ESC measures as part of earthworks and other land disturbing activities.

Learning outcomes
By the end of this course, participants will:

• Understand erosion and sedimentation processes
• Learn how to select and implement ESC practices and procedures during the design, construction, operation, maintenance and decommissioning phases
• Be familiar with various types of erosion control: non-structural, site water management and surface stabilisation
• Recognise potential adverse effects of land disturbance and benefits of best-practice ESC
• Understand how to utilise GD05 to prepare ESC Plans, key aspects of monitoring ESC devices and site compliance requirements.

Course format
This is a one-day, on-line course, delivered by industry specialists. It will be interactive, with plenty of opportunity to question and engage as well as learn from others on the course. There will be practical examples as well as simple exercises and quizzes.

Presenter information
Each course will be run either by Michael Parsonson or Gregor McLean, directors of SouthernSkies Environmental Limited. Both have 25 years’ experience in construction erosion and sediment control (ESC) and have trained many hundreds of private and public sector people in best practice ESC.

In conjunction with Beca, Michael was a co-author of GD05 (which received the Best Publication of 2017 Award from the Resource Management Law Association). Likewise, Gregor has been co-author of best practice guidelines and various ESC studies and reviews throughout New Zealand.

They are experienced in ESC design, construction, maintenance, public and private sector auditing, and compliance monitoring across a wide range of projects.