Selected Projects
Water Reform
Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists
WolfPeak was engaged to lead the work of the group on water reform across Australia. This included leading the research, being the spokesperson for the group in mainstream media and working with politicians of all parties to leverage the best outcome for the health of Australia’s rivers. The work also involved travelling across the Basin and engaging with the communities who were going to be most affected. This was not always well received but was required to make sure people had the full picture to inform their decision-making.
WolfPeak’s work had a material impact and contributed to significant political actions at the Federal level to deliver better outcomes for the river system.
Environmental Risk Profiling for Investments
Westpac
WolfPeak was engaged to advise the investment arm of the business on environmental risks associated with large resource investments. Westpac is a signatory to the Equator Principles and as such needs to display a high level of environmental awareness in its decision-making. WolfPeak was able to bring field knowledge and experience that was not available within Westpac and provide informed risk advice and profiling. This field experience brings a level of detail and understanding of risks and benefits that may not always be in-house when people have not operated in the field for an extended period of time.
Environmental Risk Advice on Investment
Brookfield Limited
WolfPeak was engaged to undertake an environmental risk assessment on a large power asset Brookfield was considering purchasing. A number of significant environmental risks were identified and a risk profile provide to Brookfield. This information provide the opportunity to avoid a significant liability, make an informed decision and apply significant pressure to the seller and achieve a material reduction in sale price. The investigation identified that appropriate planning approvals had not been obtained in the development stage of the asset. Some issues were also identified around compliance with emissions standards. These risks were significant and could have led to a overvalued investment if not identified through the assessment
Strategic Stakeholder Analysis and Development of Relationships and Markets
NSW Telco Authority
WolfPeak was engaged to leverage the contacts within the Local Government sector to investigate the appetite of the sector to join the Government Radio Network as an ongoing customer. Currently many local councils operate their own radio networks in areas that are already covered, or will soon be covered, by the Government Radio Network. This duplication wastes taxpayer dollars. The work built a profile for the Authority in the local government sector and will lead to ongoing clients to Telco and a reduction in duplication and saving for the taxpayer.
WolfPeak’s “hands on” approach to engagement delivered project outcomes exceeding the client’s expectations.
Strategic Support to Merged Councils
Department of Premier and Cabinet
WolfPeak was engaged to provide strategic support to merged councils to assist them in the implementation of the mergers. This work focused on support in the areas of change management, building strategic capacity and project management. These councils are large organisations operating with annual budgets in excess of $20 million dollars and over 1,000 staff. They also provide essential services to a large slice of the NSW population. The experience of providing support to 20 councils across the state means WolfPeak has sector leading knowledge in supporting change and organisational development.
Delegate – NSW Council Mergers
Department of Premier and Cabinet
WolfPeak provided expert resource to undertake the independent examination of three proposals to merge councils. This included undertaking public inquiries, receiving submissions and making recommendations to the Minister. Six public inquiries were held across the areas of the three councils involved in the merger proposals. Over 800 people attended the inquiries with over 120 speakers presenting their views. WolfPeak produced a high quality evidence based report from the work recommending a merger outcome that was not aligned to the Ministers original proposal. The Minister ultimately adopted the outcome proposed by WolfPeak in contrast to his original proposal.
Project Management Land-Use Conflict Taskforce
Department of Premier and Cabinet
A land-use conflict taskforce was convened by the Department of Premier and Cabinet to investigate options to resolve the mining and agriculture conflict in NSW. The taskforce was rapidly assembled and made up of senior staff from across a number of agencies. Extremely tight timeframes and multiple deliverables meant the team needed to gel and deliver quickly. The taskforce consulted broadly across government and produced a report to cabinet within seven weeks. WolfPeak was the project manager of this taskforce and lead the team to achieve these outcomes.
Chaffey Dam Upgrade
WaterNSW
In 2014 work started on raising the dam wall and spillway of WaterNSW’s Chaffey Dam, located near Tamworth, to reduce potential flood risks downstream of the dam. WolfPeak carried out the annual independent environmental compliance audit required under the Project Approval conditions for the design and construction of the works (being undertaken by John Holland). The audit also included compliance by John Holland with the EPA Licence for the works.
Geodynamics Limited
Environmental services to Cooper Basin (SA) geothermal exploration & development activities
From the early 2000s until 2014 Geodynamics undertook geothermal drilling and power plant construction & commissioning activities near Innamincka in SA. WolfPeak provided specialist environmental auditing and support services to the company from 2009 to 2014 including the preparation of environmental assessments and audits required under the Petroleum & Geothermal Energy Act 2000.
This work involved new technology being implemented in one of the most remote locations in the country. WolfPeak’s willingness to get involved and embrace the challenges meant that our scope of work continued to grow over the life of the project.
Reviews of Environmental Factors (NSW wide)
TransGrid
TransGrid is required to assess the environmental impacts of proposed maintenance, remediation and communication works to its electricity supply network across NSW. WolfPeak has prepared numerous environmental assessments for these works across NSW. The assessments also involve the management and delivery of specialist ecological and heritage surveys of the impacted areas.
These are complex time-sensitive projects and WolfPeak takes a committed and pragmatic approach to ensure we deliver for TransGrid.
It is no surprise that WolfPeak is typically TransGrid’s top rated consultant for environmental approvals work, topping a number of large multinational competitors for this accolade.
WestConnex NewM5
CPB Dragados Samsung Joint Venture, Sydney Motorway Corporation & RMS
WestConnex is the largest integrated transport and urban revitalisation project in Australia. The $4B New M5 (Stage 2 of Westconnex) will provide improved access to the airport, south Sydney and Port Botany precincts.
WolfPeak was appointed by DPE to provide the Independent Environmental Representatives for the New M5 project: the project’s primary independent environmental inspection & compliance assurance role.
WolfPeak combines site inspections with regular auditing of the environmental management plans & systems to give a more holistic assessment of performance and drive continual improvement rather than simply taking a compliance approach. This has been well received by the Joint Venture, SMC, RMS and the DPE and will likely influence the role of Environmental Representatives on future infrastructure projects in NSW.
NorthWest Metro Surface Viaduct Civil Works (Skytrain)
Salini-Impregilo Joint Venture
The Skytrain Project (part of the NorthWest Metro) comprises the detailed design, construction and handover of a rail viaduct, bridges and associated civil works between Bella Vista and Cudgegong Road in NW Sydney. WolfPeak has provided the bulk of the project’s environment team, from Environment Manager through to site coordinators, over the duration of the project. WolfPeak also developed the environmental management plans that the Department of Planning & Environment (DPE) approved in record time. WolfPeak has helped the Jont Venture develop strategies for managing key commercial and environment issues including contamination and remediation, water quality, noise management and ISCA sustainability ratings.
WolfPeak’s skill has meant this complex project was completed without a single fine or PIN from the EPA or DPE. This is rare for a project of this size.
WestConnex M4 Widening
Rizzani CPB Joint Venture
Rizzani and CPB formed a joint venture to add an extra lane in each direction to the M4 Motorway between Parramatta and Homebush. WolfPeak was tasked with providing site environmental support to the project. This project has all the challenges of major infrastructure construction in a highly urbanised environment. WolfPeak played an important role in meeting these challenges, particularly out of hour’s noise management and working with the community to complete the project on time while minimising impacts.
Success came from good planning, good communication and a pro-active approach.