Ben Chester

Background

About Ben Chester

Ben is a Project Director, Technical Director and Engineering New Zealand Fellow with over 34 years’ experience in infrastructure and civil works associated with a wide range of sectors and industries. The majority of his work has comprised of the feasibility assessment, planning, design and delivery of large infrastructure and transport projects.Ben has extensive experience with being part of interdisciplinary infrastructure projects under various procurement methods, and has developed a thorough understanding of process, timing, risk and constructability.His areas of expertise include: team leadership, design management, infrastructure planning and feasibility assessment, drainage and civil design, contract drawing and tender documentation preparation, construction estimation, contractor and tender evaluation, construction supervision, peer review and liaison with local/regional authorities and stakeholders.Ben has prepared and presented technical evidence at numerous consent hearings and the Environment Court in support of the stormwater aspects of consent applications.Recently, Ben was the Infrastructure Discipline Manager for the LEAD (formerly Piritahi) Alliance. LEAD delivers new and upgraded infrastructure and amenity on behalf of Kāinga Ora to enable the provision of land for development, and subsequent building of warm, dry, healthy homes. Ben led the team that was responsible for the planning, feasibility, concept and detailed design for the catchment-wide and neighbourhood infrastructure (3 Waters and Transport) required to support the growth. The complex brownfields projects required extensive liaison with Kāinga Ora, CCO’s, Auckland Council, iwi and utility operators. Working closely with the Alliance construction partners was key to optimising materials, safety in design, assessing alternatives and minimising whole of life costs.Prior to the LEAD Alliance Ben led the drainage design team for the Puhoi to Warkworth Motorway project that involved the tender submission and detailed design of wetlands, stream diversions, multi-barrel culverts and longitudinal drainage.Ben has applied his technical expertise as stormwater peer reviewer for several NZTA highway projects including; SH1 Hamilton Bypass, SH20-1 Manukau, SH20 Manukau Harbour Crossing, SH16 Lincoln Road interchange, SH16/20 Waterview Connection, and the SH16 Causeway upgrade.Ben also has extensive experience with Stakeholders, and is able to clearly convey the key points of a project, and effectively incorporate feedback from stakeholders into a design outcome.