Downtown Infrastructure Development Programme
The Downtown Infrastructure Development Programme (DIDP) was a major upgrade to Auckland’s waterfront, including:
Quay Street seawall seismic strengthening and streetscape enhancements
The Lower Albert Bus Interchange
Galway Street improvements
Creation of downtown public space
Redevelopment of the Ferry Terminal
CLIENT
Panuku Development Auckland / Wynyard Edge Alliance
LOCATION
Auckland, NZ
COMPLETED
2021
Awards
2022 NZILA Award of Excellence Master Planning and Urban Design Strategy
Our Scope
Marshall Day Acoustics was engaged by Auckland Council in 2017 to assess potential effects of construction-related airborne noise, vibration and underwater noise. Our work included preparing expert evidence and attending several hearings, ultimately supporting the successful granting of consents in 2019.
Following this, MDA was then appointed by the Downtown Joint Venture (Downer, HEB and Soletanche Bachy International) as the noise and vibration expert for the construction phase. Our role involved predicting, mitigating and managing construction noise and vibration effects on a wide range of receivers - including the public, heritage structures and marine fauna.
CHALLENGES
This was a complex large-scale, and long duration project in a high-profile urban environment, with the potential to significantly impact residents and businesses along the waterfront. Rigorous implementation of best practice methodologies, mitigation and management was required to minimise disruption from noise and vibration.
High vibration construction activities such as piling, concrete breaking and compaction were carried out adjacent to historic structures, including the iconic Ferry Building. This necessitated close collaboration with contractors and heritage experts to address and mitigate potential vibration effects.
Extensive marine piling works for the new ferry terminal and public space generated high levels of underwater noise. MDA developed predictive models to identify zones where marine fauna could experience potential physiological hearing effects. These zones were actively monitored by marine mammal observers, and multiple underwater noise surveys were carried out to validate and refine the modelling, ensuring accurate and effective environmental protection.
PROJECT TEAM
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