BCL RANT

Rugby World Cup Fever

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 06:57:00 GMT

The bunting is up, the flags are flying and the sweepstake is running…the excitement is building and we can’t wait for the next game. If you see our BCL cars out and about with the flags flying give them a toot and a wave.

Go the All Blacks … and see you at the game!

Your New Team

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 23:16:00 GMT

We are very pleased to announce that BCL has recently merged with MPC Planning. This is great news for our clients many of whom already utilise the services of both firms.

We are excited about our new combined team and feedback from our clients has been really positive.

We invite you to call our team to discuss your next project and can promise that you will be impressed with the crisp clear thinking and succinct solutions that we offer. Now our services include:

Strategic development advice.
Landuse consent applications.
Expert evidence.

For the crisp clear thinking, call YOUR team, the BCL team.

Meet the Team - James Hook

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 06:49:00 GMT

James joins the BCL team as Planning Director. Having worked with James for many years we have always been impressed with his ability to strategise and lead project teams. We are very excited to have him as part of the team.

When not working James loves to take advantage of all that New Zealand has to offer. Whether it’s taking the family out for a day on the water, tramping in the Hollyford Valley or enjoying a break in the sun at St Heliers.

For planning leadership contact James on 6309512 or email james.hook@mpc.net.nz

Viaduct Challenge

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 06:50:00 GMT

The challenge; its 20m up in the air, access is impossible and our client wants it positioned in 3D to the mm! New Zealand Transport Agency came directly to BCL for a solution. Our team delivered.

Utilising our 1” Leica TS15 (the only one in New Zealand) our team took a series of high accuracy remote measurements to the hanging structure. This in turn allowed us to create a 3D digital model and extract various datasets to fulfil our client’s requirements.

A clever solution delivered on time and on budget.

For clever solutions contact BCL on 6309512

Quarry Query

Thu, 07 Jul 2011 02:28:00 GMT

When the Transfield Services survey team recently asked us whether we could remotely survey the rock face our answer was yes. This was an ideal job for our long range (1km) reflectorless theodilite. We dispatched our team to install site control, peg legal boundaries and then survey the rock face. We utilised the scan function on the robotic Leica TS15 and had the faces surveyed to the required specifications without the need to send an assistant onto the unstable and steep face. The final information was delivered in a surveyor friendly format for inclusion in existing datasets.

Goodbye Yellow Brick Road

Thu, 07 Jul 2011 01:56:00 GMT

Forget the yellow brick road, Auckland has a brand new yellow bridge. The bridge is open to pedestrians now so if you are at a loose end take a drive out to Clarks Lane and experience the bridge and get a sneak peek at the new section of the Upper Harbour Motorway. You may also notice some shiny new survey pegs as our team has been very busy surveying the new legal boundaries for legalisation purposes.

Welcome to Sarah

Sat, 25 Jun 2011 01:28:00 GMT

Our team is changing and we were very lucky to have Sarah Mundy join us last month. Sarah will be taking over from Louise in ensuring that you and your projects are being well attended.

Sarah has worked in surveying as well as tenancy and leaky building fields, she has a real passion for surveying and was a natural choice for the role.

Whilst welcoming Sarah we must also sadly farewell Louise who will be leaving her full time role to fulfil her long time aim of working in her church and community.

I am sure you will agree that working with Louise has been an absolute pleasure, and I know she will miss working with you, our clients and friends.

Robots Invade!

Sat, 25 Jun 2011 01:30:00 GMT

Robby is back! But fear not, he is here to help build a better world not to destroy it. Our brand new Leica Robotic Total Station has arrived. His name is Robby, he has a laser but he is very well behaved.

Robby is purpose built for high precision surface scanning, deformation monitoring, setout and surveying. Fantastic for scanning cliff faces, tree limbs, domed ceilings and other unusual objects. He is also extremely good at detecting mm movement in structures when in deformation mode.

If you want Robby on your project call the BCL team (no flame throwers please!!).

500 Friends Earthquake appeal

Tue, 22 Mar 2011 00:35:00 GMT

Wow!! A huge thanks to Penny Hay for organizing the 500 Friends earthquake appeal to help the people of Christchurch. Roselyn Vodanovich was instrumental in rallying our troups so much so that when our boxes arrived (amid a buzz of excitement) they were promptly filled and delivered by our field assistant Fergus to the appeal centre.

Absolutely fantastic.

Ken Ring the Moon Man

Mon, 21 Mar 2011 20:49:00 GMT

The controversial Mr Ken Ring the Moon Man was an entertaining speaker at a recent event, his mix of magic tricks and wacky weather ramblings hit the spot with the crowd (that included a good number of Cantabrians). His earthquake 'predictions' were explained and then promptly ignored (well more accurately put on the wacky shelf) as they are entertainment and not to be taken seriously. Ken does believe this stuff but we should not; it is rubbish.

I spoke with Ken after the 'gig' and he was a real laugh, an entertainer through and through. The fact that he had to have security with him was sad, he has had death threats over his earthquake predictions. We all have our beliefs and most are keen to tell others however when the media pick up on opinions like Ken's and broadcast them so widely it causes a lot of pain and anxiety. I think the media should take a good look at themselves.

The world needs wacky entertainers, they are good for the spirit in tough times...just don't take them seriously!!

Round the Bays

Sat, 25 Jun 2011 01:30:00 GMT

Every year this iconic Auckland fun run surges down Tamaki Drive before spilling out into St Heliers and then on to BBQ sites in Madills Farm and Glover Park. Those beautifully regimented BBQ sites are a site for sore legs! And yes the BCL team are responsible for the lines, we are proud to have worked with the Round the Bays team to design and setout the BBQ areas. So next year when you get to the finish line you can pause and admire our annual ‘subdivision’ of the parks before you tuck into a well earned sausage and beer.

BCL Takes Centre Stage

Sat, 25 Jun 2011 01:29:00 GMT

BCL takes centre stage…and the stalls, circle, balcony, lighting bridges…no we haven’t formed our own thespian touring party rather we are surveying the ASB Theatre to help the design team with the upcoming fit-out. It has taken a huge effort by our surveyors over the Christmas break however this has yielded a highly accurate 3D model of the theatre.

So take a bow Michael and Andrew you guys have done a fantastic job.

Auckland Council Spatial Plan

Tue, 22 Feb 2011 19:56:00 GMT

We have just received a briefing from the Auckland Council Spatial Plan team regarding progress of the Spatial Plan. Their mantra of 'fast and simple' is encouraging and it appears they are meeting implementation deadlines thus far.

Basically the Auckland Plan or Spatial Plan is the overall 30 year guideline document that will steer growth and development in Auckland to create the world's most liveable city. Well that's the plan!

The Unitary Plan is basically a new District Plan that will help implement the Spatial Plan; again they are keeping it simple and working towards a concise outcomes based document rather that the verbose doorstops we have currently.

This is all very exciting but can they deliver? Can they transform Auckland into the world's most liveable city? Can the leopard change its spots? We shall see.

Deformation Surveys

Tue, 15 Feb 2011 18:45:00 GMT

Our emergency involvement in the last hours of the Palace Hotel late last year (click to see our rant article) tested our deformation team to the limit. Our team’s ability to provide the required information in what can only be described as extraordinarily difficult circumstances gives us a great sense of achievement.

Deformation Monitoring is a very technical aspect of surveying, only the right combination of equipment, method and knowledge will yield an appropriate result. Our team are experts in deformation monitoring.

If you want to know if it is moving call the BCL team.

Our Shady Surveys!

Tue, 15 Feb 2011 18:39:00 GMT

Shadow analysis has never been easier with a plethora of software out there that will calculate and plot the position of a shadow quickly and easily. Is this ‘black box’ software getting it right and what does it actually mean on the ground? These are questions that Council has been asking on a recent project.

BCL Surveyors were able to certify (via first principal astronomical and spherical trigonometric calculations) the accuracy of the calculations. We also marked out the actual predicted shadow on the ground for Council Officers to inspect. Our team raised awareness of the fact that the sun is a disk and not a point light source and thus the effects of Umbra and Penumbra should always be considered in any analysis.

Council recognise BCL Surveyors as experts in this field. If you need shadow expertise contact our team.

For Shady Surveys call BCL FOR SURVEY on 09 630 9512.