​The Orakei Basin in Auckland is mostly used for swimming and water skiing. However, there have been water quality issues at times because of reduced water flushing and urban pressures. 

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4Sight has been working with Auckland Council on Orakei Basin's water quality and management since 2001. In 2017, 4Sight  conducted various forms of sediment, ecological, and water quality monitoring that is used to inform council about the state of the basin and help guide decision-makers on how to best manage this resource.  

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​Some of the projects we've worked on to help improve Orakei Basin's environmental and recreational value include:

 

• Dredging contaminated sediments from the basin;

• Options studies to improve water quality and address historical sewer overflow contamination in the creek; and

• Developing a strategy for the long-term management of the basin.

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4Sight also provided a holistic service that encompassed all of the environmental, community and planning aspects associated with the basin. These services included:

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• Extensive iwi, stakeholder and community consultation;

• Resource consent acquisition for continued impoundment;

• Acting as a facilitator between stakeholder groups and council, whose relationship had become fragile on a number of basin-related projects;

• Helping the council to resolve significant resource management problems carried over from another consultancy;

• Facilitating the delivery of a $3 million coastal boardwalk and cycleway around the basin;

• Development of the Reserve Management Plan for the reserves surrounding Orakei Basin;

• Delivering a project to restore the failing access road and carpark;

• Leading the design, investigation and consenting of further sections of the coastal boardwalk network;

• Working to understand the city's responsibilities under the Local Government Act, Reserves Act, Historic Places Act and RMA;

• Maintaining strong working relationships, based on trust and mutual respect, with key parties such as iwi residents and environmental protection groups;

• Identifying project delivery risks and developing strategies to manage and address those risks to reduce costs and time frames;

• Representing the council to internal stakeholders, external stakeholders and other interested parties;

• Working collaboratively with other consultants to deliver the best possible outcome for the client;

• Engaging with the local community; and

• Working with the contractors to ensure high levels of environmental compliance were achieved.

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The Orakei Basin is a unique archaeological and geological feature of the Auckland Region and an important recreational asset. Our long-standing involvement covering a wide range of projects and addressing many different types of ecological, resource management, and environmental issues will hopefully ensure that it remains that way.