Little Akaloa

The Brief

Since 2013, we’ve been involved in this multidisciplinary project. Originating from our client’s aspiration to subdivide a hillside property in Little Akaloa, the project has been dynamic and evolved. 

Challenges Identified

As part of our geotechnical assessment, Section 106 of the Resource Management Act 1991 required us to consider natural hazards on the site. Using historic aerial imagery from our desk study and our experience as being part of the Port Hills Geotechnical Group, once on site, looking upslope, we recognised the rockfall hazard posed by the boulder field above the property. Any future development of the land would require a rockfall prevention system to be constructed above the future subdivision. 

What We Did

In 2021, our focus shifted to the design and investigation of a rock catch fence, working with Maccaferri and adopting their proprietary solution. We tackled challenges during anchor installation, encountering a greater thickness of loess and its squeezing at the rock–loess interface. This prompted adaptive measures, leading to a change in anchor choice to Titan anchors. 

With the fence established, the subdivision beneath is now primed for commencement. Our commitment remains, and we continue to actively participate in the civil construction phase of the subdivision.