We are specialists with high-level expertise in water resource engineering and environmental water management.
We develop innovative solutions to complex water and environmental challenges.
WRM knows water. We have years of experience and long term partnerships working with clients across a range of sectors, from government agencies to private industry and expert legal services. We provide effective solutions and trusted advice.
Energy and resources
Floodplain management
Infrastructure
Land development
Legal and Insurance
WRM are industry leaders in water management for the energy and resources sector, from mine sites and quarries to solar farms and power stations. We have extensive experience preparing impact assessment studies at the planning stage and provide ongoing advice and design for construction, operation, closure and rehabilitation.
Our team of experts build mine water balance models, design water infrastructure and develop operational procedures to manage surface water, minimise flood risk, maximise water efficiency and achieve environmental outcomes.
We work with all levels of government, providing assistance in the development of policy and planning tools, as well as technical advice on land use planning, floodplain management and public infrastructure projects.
We have worked with government departments in most Australian states and territories to provide advice on floodplain management, water infrastructure design and basin-scale water allocation. Our work with local government has included numerous flood and catchment management studies to reduce flood risk and manage future development and climate.
WRM partner with state and local governments, civil contractors and other technical specialists to support delivery of major infrastructure, including highways, railways, dams and bridges.
We provide technical expertise and input from the initial masterplanning phase all the way through to detailed design and construction, demonstrating compliance with design requirements and assessing and mitigating hydrologic and hydraulic risks.
We work collaboratively with our clients to develop urban infrastructure solutions that maximise both development and environmental outcomes. Through our work with local government, we have a good understanding of the development assessment process to address Council requirements.
WRM have a long history of delivering innovative and successful solutions for developments, including stormwater, flooding and water quality management. Our expertise extends to the management of water at the river basin scale to support agricultural development and resource planning.
WRM’s principals are highly regarded as expert witnesses due to their extensive experience and attention to detail in analysis and reporting. Their expertise is often called upon to provide advice on flood, stormwater and water quality issues in legal disputes and to the courts.
We are also Australia’s most experienced provider of hydrology advice to the insurance industry, having reported on major weather events across all Australian states and territories that stand up to peer and court review. We also advise clients on risk and damage to major infrastructure including road, rail, mine sites and pipelines.
Isaac Downs
Surface water environmental impact statement and water balance model.
Surface water environmental impact statement including flood modelling, conceptual design and water balance modelling, including the sizing of storages and development of water management procedures. A detailed GoldSIM water balance model was developed of the site to demonstrate compliance with regulatory requirements and assess water management system performance.
Mount Isa Mines Dam Failure
A dam failure consequence category assessment across a significant number of dams.
WRM was engaged to undertake a dam failure consequence category assessment for current Mount Isa Mine (MIM) and George Fisher Mine (GFM) water storage dams in accordance with Glencore’s Tailings Storage Facility and Dam Standard (the Standard) as well as the Australian National Committee on Large Dams (ANCOLD) guidelines.
The challenges for the consequence category assessment is the significant number of dams that needed to be assessed and then identifying the people and/or assets that would potentially be at risk as the result of failure of each individual dam.
A comprehensive dam failure consequence assessment report was developed, which identifies the failure consequence classification for each dam at MIM and GFM, including descriptions of the potential safety, environmental, social, and business risks resulting from the failure of each dam. The report also identifies which dams need to comply with the Standard and the relevant design criteria to be applied to each dam.
Lake Vermont Meadowbrook Project
Hydrological and hydraulic flooding models for underground coal mining
Assessed the impact of the proposed extension of the Lake Vermont mine into new open cut and underground mining areas. WRM modelled the impact of the proposed surface works on the extent of flooding in Phillips, Ripstone, Boomerang and One Mile Creeks and the Isaac River.
Hydrologic and hydraulic models were also used to assess the impact of subsidence induced by longwall mining on the local geomorphology. A site water balance model was used to assess the performance of the water management system proposed for managing groundwater seepage and runoff to the operational areas.
Santos Water Management
Regular water management plan updates for multiple sites,
For more than five years WRM has partnered with Santos to prepare regular water management plan updates for multiple coal seam gas and oil sites across Queensland, New South Wales and the Norther Territory. Operational water balance models are used to assess current and future water management practices, as well as sizing future infrastructure requirements.
Finniss Lithium Project
Assessment of surface water infrastructure requirements.
Assessment of surface water infrastructure requirements for the development of the Grants pit at the Finniss Lithium Project.
The assessment included flood and water balance modelling, conceptual design of flood mitigation infrastructure, and the development of the water management system procedures, in addition to advice on the surface water extraction licence volumes to supply operational demands and manage extraction.
McArthur River Mine
Assessments in support of the approval and sustainable development of the project.
The McArthur River Mine is a major zinc, lead and silver mine operated by Glencore and located in the Northern Territory. WRM has provided comprehensive consulting services to MRM since 2010 for assessments in support of the approval and sustainable development of the project.
This advice has included flood assessments, annual water balance modelling, concept design of infrastructure, mine water discharge assessments, surface water monitoring plans, dam operational plans, dam failure consequence assessments, final void assessments, geomorphologic assessments, water quality monitoring reviews and environmental approvals including the recent Overburden Management Project Environmental Impact Statement.
Maules Creek Coal Mine
Surface water advice for major open cut coal mine.
Surface water impact assessment for major open cut coal mine north-east of the Boggabri township and ongoing advice on environmental approvals and operation of the site water management system. This has included flood assessments, impact assessments for approval modifications, site water balance modelling, concept design of infrastructure, surface water monitoring plan, preparation of water management plans, completion of annual reviews and appearance as expert witness in Land and Environment Court of New South Wales.
Maxwell Project
Surface water environmental impact assessment.
Surface water environmental impact assessment including conceptual design and water balance modelling, sizing of underground mine storages and development of water management procedures. A detailed water balance model was developed of the site to demonstrate compliance with regulatory requirements and assess water management system performance.
Lake Orr Development Appeal
NL Varsity vs Gold Coast City Council (Planning & Environment Court, QLD)
WRM Senior Principal Dr David Newton was engaged by Gold Coast City Council as an expert witness in an appeal in the Planning & Environment Court for the refusal of a development application for multi-storey retirement accommodation in an extreme flood hazard area adjacent to Lake Orr. This included review of flood modelling and flood emergency management plans for the site and preparation of a joint expert report.
Grantham Quarry Flooding Defamation
Wagner vs Harbour Radio Defamation, Grantham Quarry Flooding (Supreme Court, QLD)
WRM Senior Principal Dr David Newton was engaged as an expert witness in the defamation of the Wagner family relating to the January 2011 flooding of Grantham. A series of radio broadcasts implied that the Wagner-owned quarry upstream of Grantham contributed to flood damage and loss of life in Grantham. This required detailed modelling of the quarry impacts including extensive comparisons with witness observations and recorded flood data.
WRM prepared a detailed technical report, as well as a joint report with experts engaged by the defendants. There were extensive briefing of legal team, including advice on cross-examination and input to written submissions. WRM appeared as an expert witness in the Supreme Court.
Wellcamp Airport and Industrial Precinct
Wellcamp Airport, Infrastructure charges (Planning & Environment Court, QLD)
WRM Senior Principal Dr David Newton was engaged to review the stormwater management issues and infrastructure for the Wellcamp Airport and industrial precinct. A joint expert report and statement of evidence was prepared in relation to stormwater infrastructure charges for the development and Council’s Priority Infrastructure Plan. WRM appeared as an expert witness in the Planning & Environment Court.
Grantham Floods Commission of Inquiry
Appearing on behalf of Wagners at 18 days of inquiry hearings.
WRM Senior Principal Dr David Newton was engaged by insurers of the Grantham Sand Quarry for the Grantham Flood Commission of Inquiry to investigate whether the quarry contributed to downstream impacts. This included comprehensive flood modelling to support a detailed submission to the Inquiry, as well as extensive briefing of counsel appearing on behalf of Wagners at 18 days of inquiry hearings.
A key feature of the modelling was an extensive review of witness statements and photograph and video evidence to validate the flood model. The Commissioner found that the quarry did not have an adverse impact on downstream flooding.
New Acland Coal
Queensland Land Court
WRM Senior Principal Greg Roads prepared and presented evidence to the Queensland Land Court in relation to the objections lodged in opposition to the New Acland Coal Mine Stage 3 Expansion project near Oakey in Queensland.
Commission of Inquiry, Wivenhoe Dam
Expert evidence at the Commission
WRM Senior Principal Dr Sharmil Markar prepared an independent review and provided expert evidence at the Commission of Inquiry into the operation of Wivenhoe Dam during the January 2011 flood of Brisbane and Ipswich.
Brisbane River 2011 Flood Class Action
Expert evidence in multiple cases arising from the floods.
WRM Senior Principal Dr Sharmil Markar prepared expert evidence on Brisbane River flooding and flood damage estimation under alternative Wivenhoe Dam release scenarios – Rodriguez & Sons Pty Ltd v Queensland Bulk Water Supply Authority trading as Seqwater and SunWater Limited and State of Queensland – Supreme Court of New South Wales.
Maules Creek Water Licensing
Natural Resources Access Regulator vs Maules Creek Coal Pty Ltd (Land & Environment Court, New South Wales)
WRM Senior Principal Dr David Newton was engaged to prepare an expert report for the Land and Environment Court of New South Wales. The Natural Resource Access Regulator brought charges against Maules Creek Coal under the Water Management Act 2000 relating to the take of water without a licence. WRM prepared expert evidence to quantify the environmental consequences of the offence and appeared as an expert witness.
Mackay Floodplain Risk Management Plan
Two phase project for Mackay Regional Council.
Two phase project for Mackay Regional Council, first updating the flood studies of the Pioneer River, Goosepond Creek and Mackay City, followed by floodplain risk management study. The study comprised a review of existing flood risks and evaluation of potential floodplain risk management and mitigation options for the area to prepare a comprehensive Floodplain Risk Management Plan for Council adoption and implementation.
City of Gold Coast Flood Planning Studies
Review of hydrologic and hydraulic models.
Review and recalibration of the City of Gold Coast flood planning models for Tallebudgera and Currumbin creeks, Nerang River, Coomera River, Loders and Biggera creeks and the Woongoolba floodplain (Logan and Albert Rivers, Pimpama River and Sandy Creek).
The recalibrated models were used to estimate design flood discharges and flood levels for a range of flood severities for use in the City of Gold Coast planning scheme and by emergency management personnel at Council.
Brisbane River Strategic Floodplain Management Study
Flood damage assessments of residential and commercial buildings.
Comprehensive flood damage assessments of residential and commercial structures to develop new flood stage-damage curves for 33 different classes of buildings. Included compilation of a large property database of more than 145,000 buildings in the Brisbane River floodplain. Estimated potential and actual, tangible and intangible flood damage for design flood events and over 140 climate change, future development and mitigation scenario flood surfaces.
Darwin CBD Flood Study
Hydrologic and hydraulic models of the Darwin CBD.
WRM developed hydrologic and hydraulic models of the Darwin CBD and surrounds, incorporating in excess of 1,500 underground pipe segments. Design storm inundation was modelled for events up to 1% AEP for existing an future development conditions. WRM identified underperforming stormwater catchments and developed potential mitigation options.
Katherine River Flood Study
Flood mitigation following six flood events.
Comprehensive model calibration and verification of the Katherine River catchment hydrology model to six historic flood events. Conducted a flood frequency analysis for the Katherine River to Katherine and calculated probable maximum precipitation using latest industry techniques, to generate design flood hydrographs for Katherine events up to the probable maximum flood.
Narrabri Floodplain Risk Management Plan
Flood models of the Namoi River and local catchments.
Development and update of flood models of the Namoi River and local catchments to adopt latest industry methodology to set design flood levels and a flood planning area for Narrabri and surrounds. The models were used together with a comprehensive property database of over 2,500 buildings in Narrabri to assess regional and local flood damage and cost-benefit of a range of flood mitigation options for the township, including both structural and non-structural measures.
Moree and Environs Floodplain Risk Management Study
Complex floodplain modelling.
Flood models of the Gwydir and Mehi rivers were developed to estimate design flood levels for Moree and surrounds.The model covered over 50 km of this complex floodplain that included perched streams and impacts associated with rural levees and transport infrastructure. A range of structural and non-structural (planning) measures were developed for the community to manage their flood risk.
Cross River Rail
Overland flow and stormwater network models for new station developments.
Overland flow and stormwater network models for new station developments at Albert Street and Roma Street (Brisbane CBD), Woolloongabba, Boggo Road and Dutton Park, as well as for the tunnel portals at Dutton Park and Bowen Hills. The models used detailed hydrologic models to generate subcatchment inflows to the drainage networks and fine grid hydraulic models to assess flood immunity compliance of new buildings and rail infrastructure as well as the potential for impacts on surrounding property. Brisbane River flooding was also assessed for each location to ensure the required regional flood immunity could be achieved.
M1 / M3 Motorways
Modelling of the M1 and M3 Motorways
Hydrologic and hydraulic modelling of the M1 and M3 Motorways between Rochedale and Eight Mile Plains and reconfiguration, extension and calibration of the Logan City Council Slacks and Scrubby Creeks models along the M1 Motorway between Springwood and the Logan Motorway. The models were used to develop fine resolution site specific models of M1 Motorway cross drainage and local catchment flooding and to size M1 upgrade drainage infrastructure to mitigate impacts and achieve motorway immunity criteria, including sizing of new drains, culverts and detention basins.
Mackay Ring Road Planning Study
Ensuring that the proposed Mackay Ring Road satisfied key traffic objectives.
WRM formed part of the study team to investigate options for a ring road around the city of Mackay. For each option, concept designs of the major and minor waterway crossings were developed and their flood impacts assessed to assist in the ranking process for each option. The preferred alignment, selected from the options evaluation phase, was then refined and assessed as part of the business case developed for the project.
NT Gas Industry Roads Program
Assessing key road segments in the NT Gas Industry Roads Program.
WRM is assessing the flood immunity and annual average time of closure (AATOC) for key road segments in the NT Gas Industry Roads Program. Approximately 70 bridge, culvert and floodway crossings are being modelled to prioritise future road upgrades.
Vickery Rail Spur
Assessment of potential rail spur designs.
Modified an existing TUFLOW hydraulic model to assess over 20 iterations of potential rail spur designs. Provided feedback on potential alignments and drainage infrastructure requirements.
Rochedale Motorway Estate
Stormwater management measures for an industrial development.
Preparation of stormwater management measures and plan for the Rochedale Motorway Estate multi-stage industrial development. Included development of hydrologic and hydraulic models of the site and Bulimba Creek, design and sizing of trunk drainage infrastructure through the site and impact assessment of the development on flood levels on existing infrastructure and surrounds including the Gateway Motorway.
South Ripley Neighbourhood Context Plan
Flooding impact assessment for pre-development site.
Stormwater management plan and hydraulic impact assessment for the South Ripley Development Neighbourhood Context Plan. Included hydrologic and hydraulic modelling to assess the flooding constraints within the context plan area at a local and regional scale (including Bundamba Creek) and design of context plan stormwater management measures, including basins and channels to mitigate impacts and manage stormwater risk.
Springfield Town Centre
Modelling for the Springfield Town Centre Drainage Masterplan
Hydrologic and hydraulic modelling for the Springfield Town Centre Drainage Masterplan, including the catchments of Woogooroo, Opossum and Mountain creeks to support planning and development, including creek diversions and crossings, and the construction of a number of regional detention basins.
Elizabeth River Catchment Studies
Flood studies for future development areas.
Comprehensive flood studies for the future development areas of Weddell, Holtze Kowandi, Coolalinga, Wells Creek, Berrimah and Pinelands. Comprising definition of existing flood behaviour and flood risk constraints across the development areas, and design of stormwater quantity and quality management infrastructure plans.
NT Land Development Corporation and Councils
Peer reviews of major industrial development sites.
Peer reviews of major industrial development sites in Wishart and East Arm Marine Industrial Precinct, and residential developments for Litchfield and Zuccoli. Review of stormwater management plans and flood impact assessments for recommendations and compliance with the NT Subdivision and Development Guidelines.
Northbank Industrial Estate
Investigations into potential impacts on a Ramsar wetland.
The Northbank Industrial estate is a 240 ha industrial hub located adjacent to the Ramsar listed Hunter River Estuary near Newcastle, NSW. WRM assisted in the flooding and stormwater aspects of the federal government approvals specifically addressing its potential impact on the Ramsar wetland for the project.
Alice Springs Flood Study
Detailed hydrologic modelling and calibration.
WRM developed a detailed hydrologic model (URBS) of the Todd River catchment and calibrated it against 13 historical flood events. The 2D hydraulic model TUFLOW was then used to estimate design flood levels along the Charles and Todd rivers throughout the township of Alice Springs. The model included river bed seepage losses, bed scour and local catchment inflows, and was used to develop detailed floodplain mapping for use in land-use and emergency planning.
Coomera Connector Expert Review
Detailed review of hydrology and hydraulics
Provided expert peer review of the hydraulics reference designs (undertaken by TMR’s appointed designers) for the proposed Coomera Connector Road which traverses the Woongoolba floodplain between the Logan and Pimpama Rivers. Detailed review of hydrology and hydraulics was required, to identify compliance (or deviations) from approved design criteria and scope, as well as adequacy of modelling and design techniques.
Stuart Highway Upgrade
Drainage and flood mitigation
Flood mitigation and major drainage upgrades to improve the Stuart Highway at Pinelands, including regional flooding assessment for tailwater flooding conditions and hydraulic grade line analysis of the Stuart Highway to inform the design process and assess the effectiveness of upgrade options. The study provided advice on the stormwater network and cross drainage structure requirements together with flood mapping to assess the potential impacts and benefits of the preferred design options.
Sanskara Development
Modelling to support the master planning of a large development area
Sanskara is a 210ha multiuse development area in Ormeau, Queensland, bisected by Halfway and Bridge creeks, and bounded by the Gold Coast railway and the Woongoolba Floodplain. WRM undertook detailed hydrologic, hydraulic and water quality modelling to support the master planning of the site, which includes a solar farm, commercial and residential developments areas.
Thagoona Neighbourhood Centre
Stormwater management plan for a residential subdivision
Developed a stormwater management plan for a 54 ha residential subdivision traversed by a number of ephemeral watercourses. The plan included hydraulic and hydrological modelling, detention basin design, and water quality modelling and conceptual design of stormwater treatment measures.