Charles Kirkby, Director and Air Quality Specialist

Charles Kirkby, Air Quality Specialist

Charles is an experienced, independent environmental planning specialist who has worked in air quality and environmental protection since 1992. He has extensive experience in odour investigations; in the assessment of effects of air emissions from industrial sources, from wastewater handling and treatment and from strategic transport infrastructure projects; and in air quality monitoring.

He has detailed understanding of atmospheric dispersion modelling and in-depth knowledge of the RMA consent process from the perspectives of both operator and regulator; and is fully appreciative of regional council air assessment protocols and procedures. He has represented regulatory authorities and consent applicants at numerous resource consent hearings and in the Environment Court

Charles led the former Auckland Regional Council’s air discharge consents and compliance team before joining the engineering consultancy, Beca for six years. He left Beca in 2014 to set up The Air We Breathe.

Qualifications

Diploma in Acoustics and Noise Control, Leeds Metropolitan University, UK, 1993
BSc (Hons) Biochemistry, University of York, UK, 1981
Currently studying for Master of Resource and Environmental Planning at Massey University

Special competence

Extensive experience in air discharge assessments for industrial air discharges and wastewater infrastructure
In-depth knowledge of the RMA consent process from initial review of applications through to resource consent hearings
Extensive knowledge of ambient air quality monitoring programmes
Atmospheric dispersion modelling (CALUPFF, AERMOD, AUSPLUME)
Dust and odour management
Environmental compliance audits

Background

• 2014 on

• 2008 – 2014

• 2007 – 2008

• 2004 – 2007

• 2003

• 1992 – 2003

Air Quality Specialist, The Air We Breathe

Senior Air Quality Specialist, Beca

Acting Manager, Air Quality Consents, Auckland Regional Council

Air Quality Officer / Senior Air Quality Officer, Auckland Regional Council

Senior Ambient Air Quality Technician, Watercare Laboratory Services

Senior Technical Officer, Environmental Health, Scarborough Borough Council, UK

Specific project experience

Assessments of air quality effects and resource consent applications	Reviewing and assessing resource consent applications
Wastewater infrastructure Coating of metal Printworks Animal feeds Asphalt plant Concrete batching plant Coal combustion Chemical manufacture Galvanising Mangrove removal (open burning) Tanning Major roading projects – construction and operation Reverse sensitivity effects for the tall buildings	Tanning Galvanising Non-ferrous foundry operations Hazardous waste treatment Brickworks Concrete batching plant Printworks Coating of metal Quarrying Asphalt plant Food processing plant Stormwater discharges
Environmental management:	Ambient air quality monitoring:
Environmental management plans: Major road and rail construction projects Quarrying Animal feed processing Concrete batching plant Odour investigations Catering Waste oil re-refining	Regional air quality monitoring network Project-specific air quality monitoring Set-up and operation of monitoring sites Project management Data handling, interpretation and reporting

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