Simon Leake, CPSS and Director of SESL Australia.
The Soil Science Australia NSW Branch has awarded Simon Leake, CPSS and Director of SESL Australia, the prestigious 2024 NSW Soil Consultants Award for his internationally significant contribution to soil science. Simon’s award-winning work was for his leadership on the soil design and development for the King Salman Park project in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
This massive 750-hectare park, located on a former desert air force base, faced extreme soil challenges, including saline, gypsiferous, and impermeable soils. Simon and his team were selected from an international pool of applicants to manage the soil program, transforming the harsh desert terrain into a vibrant urban green space. His innovative approach addressed these issues while minimising environmental impacts, such as reducing carbon emissions during soil treatment and preparation. The project’s success not only benefits Saudi Arabia but also offers valuable lessons for managing challenging soils in Australia and other regions with arid climates.
Greg Chapman, CPSS and Director of Land and Soil Capability
In addition to Simon’s recognition, Greg Chapman,
CPSS and Director of Land and Soil Capability, was awarded a Highly
Commended award. Greg’s submission to the NSW Independent Planning
Commission (IPC) provided a detailed critique of the soil-related risks
posed by a proposed wind farm in the Liverpool Ranges. His submission
identified serious shortcomings in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS),
particularly the inadequate consideration of soil erosion risks from
constructing unsealed roads on steep, unstable slopes of clay soil. Greg’s work
underscores the need for more rigorous soil assessments in infrastructure
projects and highlights a widespread issue in Environmental Impact Assessments
across NSW.
Soil Science Australia congratulates Simon Leake and Greg
Chapman for their outstanding contributions to soil science and encourages
other NSW soil consultants to submit nominations for next year’s award.