Wairere Falls risk assessment and track upgrades
Client: Department of Conservation (DOC)
Location: Wairere Falls, Waikato
The Project
The Department of Conservation (DOC) planned track and structure upgrades along the popular Wairere Falls Track on the western side of the Kaimai Range. To ensure visitor safety, they sought to understand the risks posed by landslides and rockfall, allowing them to make informed decisions about potential relocations of structures and track sections.
Our role
HD Geo was engaged by DOC to conduct a landslide and rockfall risk assessment along the Wairere Falls Track, from the carpark to the lookout (2.5 km). Our assessment followed DOC’s Natural Hazard Risk Assessment (NHRA) framework to evaluate potential hazards and inform risk management strategies.
The Results
Using our expertise in engineering geology and quantitative risk assessment, we developed a refined risk model incorporating onsite data and evidence for accurate and reliable results. We provided risk-to-life estimates for various scenarios, including single users, multiple users, and track maintenance workers. Our findings showed that rockfall and landslide risks could be managed to acceptable levels. The assessment was compiled into a clear, comprehensive report, ensuring all key stakeholders could easily understand and act on the findings.
Client Feedback
"This is an EXCELLENT report; the guys are to be commended for the clarity of their explanations of the inputs, assumptions, and uncertainties, and for their comprehension of the methodology.
The discussion of risk mitigation options is clearly explained, and the recommendations that follow are (in my opinion) entirely appropriate. I concur with their view that further assessment to reduce the uncertainties highlighted in this assessment is not required.
I really have no other comments— all I can do is reiterate that HD Geo have done an excellent job on this assessment and have drawn logical conclusions leading to sensible and appropriate recommendations." — Don Macfarlane, Consultant Engineering Geologist (independent peer reviewer for DOC)