Ravenswood Development

The Brief

Located 20 minutes north of Christchurch is the 150-hectare Ravenswood subdivision. It includes 25 hectares for commercial use and light industrial use, housing key tenants like Harvey Norman, New World, McDonald’s, and BP, as well as 1,350 residential lots. 

Since 2014, we’ve worked closely with Ravenswood Developments, providing comprehensive planning, surveying, structural, environmental and civil engineering services across residential and commercial areas. 

Challenges Identified

Our efforts focused on sustainable solutions that protect the environment while meeting tight timeframes. It is a showcase of our ability to deliver sustainable, integrated solutions that benefit both the community and the environment while addressing complex challenges through collaboration and innovation. 

What We Did

Working in close collaboration at each phase of delivery has been key to our success on this large project and included working alongside stakeholders such as Ngāi Tūāhuriri, Waka Kotahi, Environment Canterbury, Waimakariri District Council and adjacent landowners. 

Key Deliverables

• Provided a wide range of services from land surveying and civil design to environmental management and structural engineering for both residential and commercial areas. 

• Established a network of roads and roundabouts, redefining accessibility and fostering growth. 

• An innovative, 30-metre, double-lane roundabout on Rangiora-Woodend Road now optimises traffic flow, prioritises safety, and supports both vehicles and pedestrians. It was customised for B-train and semi-trailer access. 

• Successfully delivered multiple stages of the project from 2014 to the present, fast-tracking Stages 3 to 6 due to high housing demand, with the final stage currently in progress. 

• Collaborated with stakeholders to secure non-notified stormwater discharge consents, avoiding costly court processes and ensuring compliance. 

• Managed archaeological assessments and had cultural monitors present during excavations due to the cultural significance of the site. We also conducted ecological surveys, fish relocations, and ongoing monitoring of water quality and groundwater. 

• Surplus soil re-use and disposal assessments to maximise re-use and minimise disposal of soil to landfill. 

• Suggested ways to improve and repurpose the soil during earthworks through screening and mixing, improving farm drainage and helping to reduce flooding. 

• Overcame challenging ground conditions with regular testing and inspections, ensuring robust pavement design and construction standards were met. 

• Modified access arrangements and integrated a shared cycleway based on community input, ensuring the project met both safety and operational goals. 

• Designed all civil aspects of the project, including over 600,000 m³ of earthworks, four sewer pump stations, 4.2 km of Ø280 mm sewer rising main to the Woodend Wastewater Treatment Plant and 3.7 km of Ø355 mm high-pressure water main from the Pegasus Water Supply.