Click photo to enlarge
Dougall McIntyre
A new report on land at Forrester Heights on Cape Wanbrow
has given clearance for the infrastructure the Waitaki District
Council needs to build for a 27-section subdivision.
The geotechnical report by consultant URS had to be carried
out as a condition of resource consents issued for the luxury
subdivision on 5.842ha of land looking north over the Oamaru
Harbour, the town and coast.
It also confirms a geotechnical report clearing stability
issues, prepared by Tomkins and Taylor when the council was
first considering the subdivision in 2006.
A survey of the site was carried out in December by URS
geotechnical engineer Christina McPherson.
Holes were excavated along the route of the proposed circular
road to open the land up for the sections.
It also examined where infrastructure such as water, drainage
and sewerage would go to ensure the route was stable.
The final report to council said six test pits from east to
west along the road route were initially considered, the
deepest points at which cuttings would have to be made into
the sloping site.
These depths varied between 3m and 6m and were aimed at
reaching the maximum depth the site would have to be
excavated for roading.
Loess was found below the top soil at all sites and up to a
maximum depth of 4.5m.
The loess was generally clay/silt, firm to very stiff.
At two of the sites, where the maximum excavation of up to
6.5m would be needed for the road, granite was found 3.9m
down.
Groundwater was not found at any of the test sites and the
pits remained stable, with no signs of potential collapse.
The council is still waiting for Parliament to pass the
Reserves and Other Lands Bill, which confirms the site was
endowment land and not reserve land, before it can start the
subdivision.
Council property manager Dougall McIntyre said the council
was finalising its planning for the subdivision so
development could start once the Bill was passed.
david.bruce@odt.co.nz
