Foundation Reports
We undertake soil foundation reports to AS2870.2011 Residential Slabs & Footings Code, which includes a wind loading assessment to AS4055-2021. We have our own lab for basic soil testing. Our fully transportable drilling equipment means that we can undertake soil augering where truck-mounted augers cannot go. Some of our more interesting work has been undertaking reviews as independent experts. One example was for Gordon and Slater, and involved reporting on the quality of soil assessments made pertaining to a concrete slab and house, which suffered severe cracking damage at Kingston (TAS).
Wastewater assessments and design
Wastewater systems are never one-size-fits-all. We work closely with the homeowner, Building designer/ architect and council to design a solution that suits your home, your land, and how you live—while meeting the requirements of AS1547-2012, the Director’s Guidelines 2016, and the NCC.
Every design starts with understanding your site—its soils, slope, drainage and constraints—so we can select and size the right system. This may include a septic tank, aerated wastewater treatment system, composting toilet, pumps, and a tailored land application area.
The result is a practical, compliant system that works efficiently, protects the environment, and gives you confidence it will perform for the long term.
We also undertake wastewater assessments for proposed subdivisions, identifying suitable areas for wastewater land application, and suggesting the type of system that would be required.
Geotechnical assessments – Landslide hazard
We have completed over 200 landslide hazard assessments in Tasmania for domestic developments. Richard also has extensive experience in New Zealand and Northern Greece.
Reviews and expert assessments
- Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research – Report on soil nutrient management in sweet potato growing soils of the PNG Highlands (2018)
- DPIPWE Tasmania – Report on the Viticultural Soils of Tasmania (2014)
Reports on soil and land capability
- NRM Northern Midlands – Report on the soils and land resources of the Midlands (2006).
- Wine Making Tasmania – Report on soil and land resources in the Coal River Valley (2016, several areas).
- Coal Valley Vineyard – Soil type assessments for viticulture.
- Buddhist Community – Land Capability Assessment of the land and soils in the Tea Tree area.
Soil and landscape education – NRM and university groups
- Sorell and Tasman Landcare Groups – talks on the soils and land resources of the areas including field trips to local farms.
- Upper Derwent Valley Landcare – talks on the soils and land resource management issues of the district.
- Soil and geological lectures and field tours for residents on the ship ‘The World’ which is a large residential touring vessel.
- Soil and geological tours, e.g. on Mount Wellington, for Carleton College (USA) and University of Nebraska.
Wine tourism and terroir
- Beef and Burgundy Club – Tasmanian Pinot Noir and terroir talk (2017).
- Soil Science Australia – Tasmanian Terroir and Pinot Noir Talk (2012).
- Tasmanian Quarryman’s Association – Tasmanian terroir and Pinot Noir (2010 – 11).
- Taste of Tasmania – series of Pinot Noir Terroir talks (various).
- 9/11 Bottle shop – Tasting the terroir talk series on NE, N, E and SE Tasmanian wine regions (2000).
- Wine Australia – Wine Theatre (2000)
Soil Forensics
- Tasmanian Crown Prosecutor’s Office – Soil profile analysis and reporting and expert witness evidence at a murder trial.
- Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife – Report on soil types and their disturbance in association with wildlife deaths and movement of carcasses.
- Co-supervision of a doctoral research project into nature of soil disturbance relating to the movement of clothed human simulation dummies across the various soil and earth materials.
- Port Arthur Historic Places Trust – Report into the probability of human remains still being present in grave sites in acidic sandy soils at the Isle of the Dead archaeological site.
