Development Application Part 2 of 2 Planning report Geotechnical report and plans MCU11/0168 & OPW11/0257

GcoConsulting, Report .415988. July I 1                                                                  Page 3
Lot 34 Marcus Dues Court. Marcus Beach



3.0      ASSESSMENT RESULTS

3.1      Desktop Study

        3.1.1      The Proposed Development
It is proposed to construct a two storey residence with basement consisting of a slab-on-ground base with
rock faced external walls. The floors between levels will be suspended concrete.


        3.1.2      Use and Limitations of Zoning
Landslide risk zonings at district scale should be considered only the first step and not the final tool in
decision making for landslip-prone areas. It must be thoroughly understood that the zones established do
not include only land of the same stability, as it is impossible at this scale to show all individual unstable or
suspect areas specifically. Instead, the zones depict land where a similar range of stability conditions is
present. As the boundaries between zones are generally approximate and in places gradational, it should
not be implied that they can signify that land on one side is stable and the other unstable. In such
boundary situations, general caution and further study on the ground is the appropriate course of action.
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        3.1.3      Regional Geology
Geological records (Dept. of Mines and Energy 1999) indicate the site to be upon Quaternary Dunes
(mainly parabolic) that consist of quartz sand. The major dune systems evident today are resultant from
wind action. The dune systems extend westward and historically as sea levels rose the coastline moved
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westward as sands were initially deposited by wave action. As sea levels declined wind action blew the
sands in a westward direction. Typically a sandy beach in its accreted state consists of a "beach berm", a
well grassed/vegetated "incipient dune", a high "frontal dune" and "hind dunes". All these topographic and
geomorphic features can be seen in the surrounding areas.


        3.1.4      Engineering Characteristics of Geological Units
The behaviour of dune sands is almost wholly frictional with little if any cohesive effect. Particle grading,
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size, angularity and insitu density all influence the load carrying capacity or sand strengths. Moisture
content is an important factor, especially during construction, as sands dry out any escarpment or flank
will tend to fail by slumping back to the "angle of repose", which approximates 1:5 (V:H) or 20% or 11.5°.


3.2       Site Assessment


         3.2.1      Land Description
The parcel of land is approximately 560m' in area, with a generalised building area located to the centre of
the allotment.
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         3.2.2      Adjacent Construction
Two and three storey rendered blockwork residences supported by slab on ground.


         3.2.3      Vegetation
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Sparse grasses and nine small/medium Banksia trees.
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