Geophysics

A civil engineer designs and manages the infrastructure that supports land and building projects, including earthworks, drainage, vehicle accessways, pavement and utility services. They help ensure that sites are safe, functional, and compliant with council regulations, from initial planning through to construction and certification.

If your project involves land development, stormwater or wastewater systems, flood risk, or designing roading and accessways, our civil engineering team at Cook Costello can help. Unsure about what’s required for council approval? Book a free consultation and we’ll guide you through the next steps.

Stormwater attenuation is the process of slowing down and temporarily storing rainwater runoff to reduce pressure on drainage systems and prevent flooding. It helps control how quickly stormwater is released from a site, often using tanks, ponds, or soakage systems.

Civil infrastructure in New Zealand can be impacted by a range of natural hazards, including earthquakes, landslides, flooding, coastal erosion, and volcanic activity. These hazards can damage roads, drainage systems, retaining walls, and other critical services, making site-specific design decisions essential for community resilience. We work closely with our in-house geotechnical and structural engineers to ensure each design appropriately responds to site-specific hazards and meets all safety and compliance requirements.

There are many other complications which can increase costs or add delays when developing a site. Connections to local infrastructure like, stormwater or wastewater, can vary from simple to impossible depending on local availability, correct fall to lines, capacity, and obstacles. These issues can be worked around with various solutions like pumps, on-site disposal, infrastructure upgrades, or attenuation. But these come with varying effectiveness and price tags. Site access can also be an issue, especially on main roads or when near intersections. It could be worth looking up the site on local GIS maps to ensure there is local infrastructure on the right site of the road, or to commission a desktop study to ensure that the site will be worth developing.

Building off the beaten track can be an appealing prospect for lower land costs, more privacy, or a rural lifestyle, but off-grid living comes with its own challenges. Most on-site wastewater and stormwater solutions require substantial amounts of land which must be dedicated to water management. Some soils are more effective at absorbing and treating wastewater so testing may need to be done to determine the best method. Drinking and firefighting water tanks may also be needed if there is no piped water in your area. Water can either be sourced from rainwater or underground wells. Water storage tanks vary but an off-grid house may often have between 30,000 and 60,000L of water storage.

Each council has its own requirements for consent, we can provide the engineering services required to get your project off the ground and through the consenting process. Resource consent ensures what you are doing is possible and allowed within local policy, it shows council that your project is well throughout, and you have considered any consequences for the project. This generally includes plans or drawings of the proposal, a list of proposed activities, considerations for affected parties, an environmental impact assessment, and consideration for local plans and policies. A resouces consent is required for jobs which effect the natural environment or other people, including subdivision, new buildings, and changes to stormwater discharge. A building consent is more specific and requires detailed and finalised plans before being issued. It shows council that any construction taking place is safe, legal, and fit for purpose. This ensures that the construction complies with local requirements and the national building code. A building consent is required for jobs which require construction like new buildings, retaining walls, and plumbing. Achieving building and resource consents can take a lot of time, so it is best to start on the process early. Each council has their own specific requirements for consents, and depending on the complexity of the job, it can take many revisions for all parties to be satisfied. Civil engineers are very involved in the consenting process. It is often our job to assist with and ensure consents are achieved without complication.

There are a few steps to follow to subdivide a property, in general: It is recommended to discuss the subdivision with a planner first to ensure any project preventing issues are identified from the start. A pre-application meeting with the local council is recommended, however not required. This is a meeting which the proposal is discussed, and any requirements can be identified. Obtaining a subdivision consent from your local council. Typically, this requires a site suitability report covering the required infrastructure and geotechnical conditions within the proposed lots and a scheme plan. Obtaining a survey plan approval, 223 certification. Carrying out any requirements required by the local council, and any infrastructure required for the subdivision's final council sign off. Apply for s224c sign off once all physical works are completed. This is a certificate to certify that all conditions of the subdivision consent are met. Lodging the new titles with the Land Titles Office at LINZ and receiving your new record of title(s)

Structural engineering is a branch of civil engineering that focuses on the design and analysis of structures such as buildings, bridges, and other infrastructures. It ensures that the structures are safe, stable, and capable of withstanding the loads and forces they encounter up to a certain standard.

You may need a structural engineer if: You are building a new home or commercial property. You are adding an extension to a building. Your building has experienced damage (e.g., from earthquakes, floods, or other natural disasters). You need an inspection for structural integrity, especially for safety or compliance.

Cook Costello structural engineers work on a wide range of projects, including: Residential homes. Commercial buildings such as offices, warehouses. Seismic assessment and strengthening of buildings. Foundation design and inspection. Temporary works such as scaffolding or shoring systems. Internal fitout seismic design for commercial buildings.

Seismic strengthening involves upgrading a building's structure to withstand earthquake forces. This is particularly important in earthquake-prone areas and for older buildings that may not meet current seismic standards. Strengthening ensures the safety of occupants and can prevent significant damage during an earthquake. In New Zealand, many cities require a certain seismic rating for each building to ensure it is safe during an earthquake. Feel free to contact us if you need an ISA (Initial Seismic Assessment) or DSA (Detailed Seismic Assessment).