Climate change will result in increasingly erratic weather including intense rainfall and more frequent flooding. Tauranga City Council’s Plan Change 27 flood model shows there’s potential for significant flooding around Cameron Road near Tauranga Racecourse and the golf course during a large rain event. ‘The Stables’ development features 20 designer townhouses near this location and Vitruvius’ civil engineering design team were engaged to ensure these homes would be protected from any flooding or heavy rain events.
Our design ensured stormwater would drain to The Stables’ central carpark area where it then goes into soakage. We were able to prove the project’s finished floor levels would be clear of any flooding or onsite ponding issues, and would remain within the Height in Relation to Building (HIRB) envelope so that resource and building consent could be granted. This required extensive consultation with Tauranga City Council and many months of work.
A 55m³ soakage tank was installed underneath the carpark, and a drainage column created to help stormwater soak down 4m to the Rotoehu Ash layer. We have also worked on a bulk water supply design for the development which was gifted to Tauranga City Council.
In many ways, developments like ‘The Stables’ are a jigsaw puzzle – you must work from the outside in to achieve the Best Practical Option (BPO), ensuring it sits on the site and can be serviced appropriately. At Vitruvius we thrive on these kinds of challenges.
Project: “The Stables” – 20 Unit Title Development
Client: Structure Properties Limited
When: 2021 – 2023
Vitruvius Scope: Civil Engineering Design