Environmental project Management
The key to success for any environmental project is a clear understanding of the environmental objectives. Diffuse Source’s depth of experience allows us to readily combine your business objectives with a clear understanding of the desired environmental outcomes to successfully manage the project through to completion.
We simplify project management; ensuring that it is centered on principles of good planning, resourcing, and communication to proactively sort out little problems before they become big problems. Our extensive Australasian networks allow us to assemble multi-disciplinary teams to tackle complex environmental problems.
Representative projects
The Ministry for the Environment is assessing the need for a National Environmental Standard (NES) on methods for establishing ecological flows and water levels for rivers, lakes, wetlands, and groundwater resources. As a part of this process, MfE sought scientific guidelines for selecting appropriate methods for determining ecological flows and water levels. Dr Cooke managed a team of specialists drawn from NIWA, GNS, Cawthron Institute, Massey University, Aqualinc Research and Beca Infrastructure. Diffuse Sources worked closely with MfE to resolve stakeholder issues and produce a comprehensive guideline within their timeframe. The guideline will form the basis of a NES if the feedback after further public consultation indicates that this is the preferred pathway.
Investigating the impacts of sand extraction on Moreton Bay (QLD) water quality*
Dr Cooke managed a joint NZ (NIWA) and University of Queensland team to determine the impacts of large scale sand dredging operations on the water quality of Moreton Bay (Brisbane), particularly with respect to nutrient enrichment and growth of the toxic algae Lynbya majuscula. The project included consultation with sand-miners and other stakeholders around the Bay, as well as planning and coordinating team members and eqipment sourced from Australia and New Zealand.
Overview of impacts of alien fish in Australia*
Dr Cooke managed this comprehensive review of the environmental, social, and economic impacts of 6 alien fish introduced to Australia. It involved managing inputs from NIWA (project owner), Beca Pty (Melbourne), Hydrobiology (QLD), Spring Creek Environmental (ACT), and Enveco (NZ); setting up a MS Sharepoint™ site as an repository for common information amongst team members; participating in stakeholder consultation; professional editing of a comprehensive report; and responding to comments from a 3-member peer review group appointed by the client.
Hydrometric monitoring, Nam Theun 2 Power Project, Laos*
Dr Cooke managed this project which provided quality assurance for hydrometerological data collected by local (Lao) Department of Meteorology and Hydrology who were collecting hydrometerological data for this World Bank funded power development project. Managed work carried out by a subconsultant, peer reviewed all outputs and liaised with the client to manage additional services relating to understanding hydrological inflows to the scheme.
* During employment at another organisation