Geotechnical/Ground Condition Reports
These reports are important part of the design and consenting process, because
- they take the findings of your site investigation, and
- recommend the appropriate foundations and any stabilising measures, retaining walls etc needed for your specific project.
Obtaining a PIM before applying for your building consent will confirm whether you need to supply with your building consent documentation
- a shallow soil investigation report, or
- a full geotechnical report.
Site investigations usually involve drilling boreholes or digging test pits and scala penetrometer tests. Samples and testing carried out:
- confirm the ground conditions beneath the site, and
- identify if there are any problems that may exist with the stability of the site or the subsoils.
You will need to provide a geotechnical report:
- if your land is identified as being in an area that is susceptible to liquefaction, or
- for areas where other natural hazards such as potential land instability, rockfall, or faultlines are present.
A map of liquefaction zones is available on page 17 of the 2012 Environment Canterbury (ECan) report reviewing liquefaction hazard information [PDF, 4856 KB].