Duck Creek in Whitby, Wellington, has been shifted 50 metres sideways over a length of one kilometre to make way for a residential subdivision. The consent conditions required that the realigned stream look and perform as a natural waterway, with improved ‘Stream Ecological Values’ (SEV).

Having first established the baseline parameters of the existing stream habitat and rescued fish for translocation, Boffa Miskell worked closely with the surveyors and engineers to map and plan the correct range of water gradients, habitats, banks and substrate along the new channel and flood plain.

Much of the detailed design was done with the contractors on site during implementation.