Response to Information Request - MCU12/0184

Geotechnical and Slope Stability Investigation




1           INTRODUCTION

Coffey Geotechnics Pty Ltd (Coffey)was commissioned by Mr David Milligan to undertake a
geotechnical investigation which identifies building foundation requirements and stability considerations
for the proposed poultry farm development at 136 Top Forestry Road in Ridgewood. The report was to
meet the requirements of the Sunshine Coast Regional Council (SCRC)Policy No 4 "Preparation of
Geotechnical Reports".

The property currently identified as Lot 21 on SP2266062 is proposed to be developed to include

poultry sheds, water tanks and hoppers. It is proposed that the sheds would be constructed as shown
on the plan prepared by Max Watterson & Associates (MWA),drawing reference: 06-2184AG, dated

13/06/2012, which is included in Appendix A.

The slope stability assessment has been prepared by Coffey, a specialist geotechnical engineering
consultant with extensive experience in slope stability assessments. Slope stability has been assessed

using a framework guided by a process developed by the Australian Geomechanics Society "A    -




National Landslide Risk Management Framework for Australia"; Volume 42 March 2007 (AGS2007).

The aim of this investigation was to assess the slope stability and foundation requirements of the

proposed poultry shed development. This assessment is considered an appropriate response to Point
12 of the information request from Sunshine Coast Regional Council (SCRC)under their reference
MCU12/0184.



2           PROPOSED DESIGN

The location of the proposed shed development is shown in the Callaghan & Toth drawing no. 1209-A1
"Plan of Proposed Shed & Access Location," dated 31st May 2012. It is proposed that eight poultry
sheds, approximately 100 metres long and 16.5 metres wide, would be constructed along the ridgelines
of slopes within an existing avocado farm at 136 Top Forestry Road, Ridgewood. Discussions between

Coffey and Callaghan & Toth (CochranelToth 25 March 2013) indicate that the proposed sheds would
                                                 -




utilise an exposed ground flooring system and portal frame structure which includes an approximately
one metre high masonry rodent control barrier around the perimeter of each proposed shed.




3           GEOTECHNICAL INVESTIGATION

Fieldwork was undertaken under the direction of a Principal Engineer from Coffey’s Kunda Park office
on the   15th April 2013. Seven test pits were excavated to depths up to 2.8 metres below ground surface
using a 12 tonne Hitachi EX100 excavator. Figure 1 shows the location of each test site.

A Principal Geotechnical Engineer from Coffey’s Kunda Park office visited the site on the 9th February
2013. The general site conditions were observed and features judged to be relevant to slope stability
noted.




Coffey Geotechnics
GEOTKPAR01945ANA
23rd April 2013