Christopher Bennett

Background

About Christopher Bennett

Christopher is a qualified engineering geologist with over 20 years experience in dam, tunnel and geotechnical projects. He is experienced in providing technical leadership and implementation of complex business delivery initiatives for clients. From 2020 to 2024 he was Geology Service Line Leader providing strategic leadership, career pathways and technical direction for more than 120 geologists within the APAC region at GHD. He is a registered professional geologist (RPGeo) with the Australian Institute of Geoscientists and a member of the Australian Geomechanics Society (AGS). Christopher specialises in the engineering geology aspects of dam design and construction. He has been the lead engineering geologist multiple large dam projects which involved the development of ground models and rock mechanics for the design of dams, including foundation assessments, stability analysis and associated geotechnical requirements of dam design (upgrades and new). Core technical specialities include difficult access investigations, geological mapping, 3D geological modelling, ground model design, dam foundation analysis, dam design and construction, dam foundation mapping, rock slope stability and tunnel design and construction including TBM and conventionally excavated tunnels. Christopher has published two papers on the geology of Legacy Way Tunnels (2014, 2015) and a further paper on 3D geological modelling of North Pine Dam (2019). In 2022 Christopher led the GHD team's entry to the Bentley Going Digital in infrastructure awards in London showcasing geological modelling and digital workflows, which followed on from his presentation at Seequent's Lyceum on GHD's use of cloud software to enhance operational capability. While in 2015 he was an invited presenter at the ATS short course in Brisbane, informing candidates on the excavation and support of the Legacy Way tunnels.