SLOPE STRENGTHENING WORKS ALONG TOM’S CREEK ROAD

Tom’s Creek Road runs perpendicular between Oxley Highway and Innes View Road. It links the properties within Tom’s Creek Suburb to the main roads. Intense rainfall occurred in March 2013 that caused a number of landslides along Tom’s Creek Road. Interim works was carried out in 2014. However, tension cracks on the road pavement occurred after the interim works were completed. Hence, a permanent solution is required. There are three (3) sites that require slope strengthening measures. The slope comprise of colluvial clays overlying moderate to highly weathered basalt. The combination of steeply dipping soil-basalt interface and intense rainfall events have led to the subsequent landslides. Regional Geotechnical Solutions (RGS) was appointed by Port Macquarie-Hastings Council to provide permanent solutions to stabilize the slope. The conforming design solution was to improve on-site drainage, stabilize the soil batters with a combination of mesh facing and erosion control mat which will be anchored by rock bolts, drilled and grouted into rock stratum behind the embankment.