Scarbrough
road

Our client purchased this section after the original 1920s house had been demolished, leaving just the original garage and steep path to the previous house site. With plans approved for a high end two-bedroom house complete with swimming pool and lift access to be built on the existing house site, HGM were engaged to complete the civil/ enabling work for this project. Hamish was engaged by the Geotech engineer during the planning phase in an ECI capacity to provide input on possible construction methodologies and advise on foreseeable project risks. HGM were then awarded the work following a tendering process.

This involved:

Clearing of existing site – of vegetation, existing deck and removal of a section of existing access path to allow access to building site.
Design and implementation of temporary works to contain excavated fill until loaded out on trucks, which also doubled as an access ramp for mobile plant up onto the building site.
Building site preparation – removal of old retaining walls, excavation of all fill down to bedrock followed by excavation of foundations for the new dwelling
Installation of rock anchors and rock fall mesh to rock face behind the new dwelling
Excavation in solid rock for new 16m tall lift shaft, rock anchors to tie shaft back into the rock face.
Additional site works including installation of rock steps, construction of paths and handrails.

Key challenges posed by this site included:

A narrow viaduct-style shared driveway with a weight limit preventing access for heavy vehicles.
The vertical height difference of 12 meters between the driveway and level of the existing site/ new floor level
Construction on the neighbouring properties happening concurrently, a new build in tight proximity to the lift shaft adding to the access and safety challenges
A public walking track crossing the top of the driveway

An innovative and tailored methodology had to be derived to break the project down into steps, ensuring each process could be completed safely while maintaining relevant access ways and protecting the existing garage as well as neighbouring properties.

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Location

Scarborough Rd

Client

Private Client

Date

Various sub projects throughout 2022 and 2023

Retaining walls and civil construction works at a steep residential site, with scaffolding, temporary fencing and site preparation underway beside existing concrete structures. The image shows civil contractors managing excavation, slope retention and complex construction projects in a constrained site environment.

Excavation and retaining walls construction on a steep coastal site overlooking the shoreline, with civil contractors and machinery working beside scaffolding and safety fencing. This image highlights civil construction, siteworks, foundation construction and slope retention for a challenging residential project.

Crane truck positioned on a coastal construction site for lifting and sling operations during retaining walls and civil construction works. The image shows civil contractors managing machinery transport, site construction and project management beside scaffolding on a steep residential site.

Civil contractors using excavation equipment and a construction drill to prepare a steep rock face for retaining walls, slope retention and ground stabilisation. The image shows drilling services, site preparation, rock anchors and soil nails being used as part of complex construction projects.

Retaining walls and civil construction underway on a steep coastal site, with excavation, site preparation and rock removal taking place beside temporary safety fencing. The image shows civil contractors managing complex construction projects involving slope retention, ground stabilisation and foundation construction.

Excavation and drilling services on a steep hillside, with a construction drill working through rock during civil construction and siteworks. This image shows civil contractors carrying out slope retention, rock anchors, soil nails and ground stabilisation for a challenging retaining walls project.

A construction drill mounted on excavation equipment working into a rocky slope as part of civil construction and retaining walls preparation. The image highlights drilling services, slope retention, rock anchors, soil nails and site contractors delivering complex construction projects.

Civil contractors using drilling services on a steep coastal construction site, with excavation equipment working above the shoreline during retaining walls and slope retention works. This image shows site construction, ground stabilisation, rock anchors and complex project management in a difficult hillside location.

Site preparation and excavation along a narrow hillside access path, with safety fencing and coastal views beside the retaining walls construction area. The image shows civil contractors managing slope retention, ground stabilisation and civil construction works on a constrained steep site.

Aerial view of excavation and site preparation for retaining walls, with civil contractors working on a steep rock face between residential buildings. The image highlights civil construction, slope retention, concrete structure preparation, ground stabilisation and foundation construction.

Aerial view of a large excavated hillside site prepared for retaining walls and concrete structure works beside a multi-level residential build. The image shows civil construction, foundation construction, site preparation, bulk earthworks and project management by civil contractors.

Retaining walls and civil construction underway on a steep coastal site, with excavation, slope retention and site preparation works taking place behind temporary fencing. The image shows civil contractors managing complex construction projects involving concrete structure works, ground stabilisation and rockfall mesh and fencing.

Excavation and retaining walls being constructed on a steep hillside site overlooking the coast, with heavy machinery completing civil construction and siteworks. This image highlights civil contractors, earthworks contractors and site contractors managing slope retention, bulk earthworks and foundation construction in a challenging coastal construction environment.

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From steep hill stabilisation to remote backcountry builds, from power infrastructure to recreation spaces — we specialise in complex, high-risk, technically demanding projects across Canterbury and the wider South Island.