North East Industrial Estate: Manawatu

Higgins are building one of the largest gabion wall structures seen in New Zealand.

The gabion walls forms the structure for a 1000m long x 40m wide stormwater retention dam, which contains the stormwater flow from a new industrial development.
Located within the North East Industrial development zone adjacent to Palmerston North Airport, the retention dam is part of a 25 hectare development within the existing industrial zone.
Projects Division Manager David Rubery says "The project hs been very challenging, with over 300,000m³of earthworks and 7000m³ of gabion baskets constructed, with the retention dam having a capacity of 100,000m³ to control the stormwater and existing flows from the site out to the adjacent Mangaone Stream".
David says "the 3m high gabion wall runs down both sides of the retention dam for a distance of over 850m and has required double shifting of materials due to the poor ground conditions and continual wet weather. The final structure is very impressive and a testament to the hard work put in by the construction crews".

Higgins Role

Higgins Projects Division are the Head Contractor, responsible for Contract Management, with Higgins Contractors constructing drainage and part of the gabion wall. Goodman Contractors carrying out the bulk earthworks and majority of the gabion wall construction.

Current Higgins Activity

Higgins Projects are managing the final earthwork construction and commissioning of the retention dam.

Start Date

December 2010

Completion Date

December 2011

Higgins Teams Involved

Higgins Projects, Higgins Contractors Palmerston North, Higgins Contractors Levin.

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Gabion Wall construction