Hanmer
waterfall
track

Project Description

The Waterfall track leading to the Dog Stream Falls is one of Hanmer’s busiest walking tracks. The track had some steep rocky sections making the track challenging for some track users and dangerous during the winter months or during high use periods.

HGM were contracted to complete an upgrade of the track which included:

Breaking out of rock in sections to widen the track and ease the grade.
Installation and backfilling of 5 sets of timber stringer steps
Surface improvements and maintenance on watercourses
Minor track realignments

Project Challenges

Access was a key challenge as the track is in a conservation area and due to the gradient of the track in sections, it was not accessible to mobile plant from the bottom. The solution to this was to use a helicopter to fly a 0.8t excavator to the upper section of the track where the work was being carried out along with multiple site boxes, air compressors to run pneumatic tooling and all other equipment and materials required.

Staff walked up the track to site each day and carried any additional tools or materials required in backpacks. Instead of flying in gravel, rock removed on site was repurposed to backfill steps to provide improvements to the track surface.

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Location

Hanmer Forest Park

Duration

2 Weeks

Date

2019

Civil contractors inspecting the waterfall area during Hanmer walking track construction and recreation construction works. This image highlights park construction, siteworks, erosion control and project management in a rocky stream environment.

HGM Construction sign beside a forest walking track during recreation construction and park construction works. The image highlights civil contractors, walking track construction, site preparation, siteworks and project management in a native bush environment.

Helicopter operation lifting materials above a forested walking track construction site, supporting recreation construction in difficult access terrain. The image shows heli operation, commercial sling work, civil construction logistics and project management by civil contractors.

Timber boxed steps forming part of a walking track construction project through a rocky bush area near Hanmer. The image highlights civil construction, recreation construction, park construction, erosion control and siteworks completed by civil contractors.

Timber boxed steps and handrail being constructed through a rocky bush track as part of Hanmer walking track construction. This image shows civil contractors completing recreation construction, erosion control, park construction and siteworks in steep natural terrain.

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