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Instream Consulting provides independent freshwater ecology services for a diverse clientele. We work for and alongside government, non-government organisations, iwi, developers, and industry, which ensures our science is balanced and practical. Instream has close associations with a number of small and larger companies that provide peer review of our products and give additional capacity on larger projects.

Our services include environmental monitoring, catchment limit-setting for water quality and flows, ecological assessment, habitat restoration, and expert testimony at resource management hearings.

Dr Greg Burrell is the company director and senior scientist. Greg has over 15 years’ experience in freshwater ecology consulting and environmental research, and has worked in a wide range of roles.

Greg has a Bachelor of Science, Post Graduate Diploma of Science, and Doctor of Philosophy in Science. Greg has published scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals, is a certified Resource Management Act hearing commissioner, and is a member of the New Zealand Freshwater Sciences Society and North-American based Society for Freshwater Science.

Services

Technical Expertise Assessment of Environmental Effects Project Management Expert Advice and Evidence

We have considerable experience working in a range of technical areas of ecology and water quality, including fieldwork, analysis, data interpretation and compliance with standards and guidelines.Technical areas of expertise include:

Sampling water quality, habitat, algae (periphyton & phytoplankton), invertebrates (benthic and zooplankton), and fish
Fieldwork involving small and large rivers, lakes, and wetland environments
Statistical analysis, including testing for significance of effects, multivariate, and non-linear methods
Modelling effects of flow on fish habitat and water quality, including IFIM-type analysis and use of software packages such as RHYHABSIM and WAIORA
Environmental flow analysis, including flushing flows, minimum flow requirements, and impacts of river drying on freshwater ecology
Assessing ecological significance and sensitivity of the receiving environment
Ecological design input into restoration, mitigation and compensation projects
Catchment planning, including identifying areas for protection and enhancement

Little blue penguin (kororā) fishing in Christchurch’s Avon River (Ōtākaro)

A range of activities can trigger the need for a resource consent application and assessment of environmental effects (AEE) under the Resource Management Act. Instream has undertaken a wide range of AEEs, including assessments of the following activities:

Agricultural and urban intensification – assessing impacts on water quality, flows and ecology
Flow regulation – impacts of dams and water abstraction on water quality and ecology
Infrastructure upgrades – impacts of roads, bridges, and river crossings on habitat, water quality, and fish passage
Discharges to land and water – impacts of wastewater and stormwater discharges
Mining – including construction and operational effects of gold and coal mining, quarrying and gravel extraction, considering both “footprint” effects of mine, plus water quality effects

Larger projects benefit from the direction of a dedicated project manager, who is responsible for co-ordinating a team of technical experts and keeping them on track. Instream can help with your project management requirements, and has particular experience in the following areas:

Ecological effects assessment (aquatic and terrestrial)
Limit-setting for flows and nutrients
Hydro-electric power development
Wind farms
Mining
Landfills
Water abstraction
Wastewater and stormwater discharges
Overseas Investment Office applications

Often our clients need an expert to help answer a technical question, to provide general advice, or to represent them as an expert witness. We have particular expertise in the following areas:

Working closely with stakeholders, iwi, regulatory authorities
Synthesis and communication of complex information to non-technical audiences
Provision of expert evidence at hearings for the private sector, iwi, regional councils, government agencies, and state-owned enterprises
Mentoring young scientists
Resource consent applications, conservation orders, and regional plans

Contact Us

For any questions regarding rivers, streams, lakes, wetlands, and related ecology and water quality matters, contact Instream Consulting.

Greg Burrell
Instream Consulting Limited
Telephone: +64 (0)3 3847 584
Mobile: +64 (0)22 0169 089
PO Box 28 173
Christchurch 8242
New Zealand
gburrell@instream.co.nz