Botanical Hill Completion, Nelson
Client : Nelson City Council
Scope of works : Slope stabilisation
Earlier this year the team wrapped up a challenging slope stabilisation project on Botanical Hill in Nelson, delivered for Nelson City Council alongside Tonkin + Taylor.
Before a single bolt could go in, our rope access team manually cleared around 90m³ of material and vegetation from the face entirely by hand. With no machinery access and limited room to move, it was a significant undertaking.
From there, 30 rock bolts were drilled 6 metres into the slope, with all drilling carried out from a basket suspended by a 60 tonne crane to keep the work safe and accurate on a steep face. The bolts then anchored the steel detail and drainage system before 50m³ of steel reinforced shotcrete was applied over two days, working from a fixed man cage on a hiab truck.
Black oxide was added to the mix to help the finished surface sit naturally within the environment, an important detail on a landmark like Botanical Hill.
We're really happy with how this one came together, and looking forward to more work with NCC and Tonkin + Taylor down the track.
Northbank Road, Marlborough
Northbank Road, Marlborough
Client : Marlborough Roads
Head Contractor : Edridge Contracting
Recently Ground Anchor Systems was engaged by Edridge Contracting to complete some light scaling works on the 17km Northbank site in Marlborough. The brief was to complete light scaling on the 15m high rock face directly above the road and also work through the vegetated north end of site to remove any lager rocks that posed a risk to the traffic below.
Over two days our crew safely removed a significant amount of material, improving slope stability and reducing hazards along this key stretch of road.
Maitai Valley - Nelson
Maitai Valley - Nelson
Client : Nelson City Council
Work is progressing well in Maitai Valley for Nelson City Council, where our team is installing 30 rock bolts embedded 6‑metres into the slope to stabilise the hillside.
To complete the drilling safely and accurately, we’re operating from a drill basket suspended by a 60‑tonne crane. Before drilling could begin, the crew manually removed approximately 90m³ of material and vegetation from the slope, a significant challenge given the limited access and the inability to bring machinery onto the face.
Our rope-access team has carried out all clearing work by hand, ensuring the site is prepared to the highest standard.
Once the bolts are installed, they will anchor 180m² of shotcrete, scheduled to be applied as part of the long‑term stabilisation solution.
Hugo Tunnel Trail - Queenstown
Howard Narrows - Nelson
Howard Narrows - State Highway 63, Nelson
Client : Fulton Hogan and NZTA
Scope of works : Rockfall Mitigation Works
Back in May 2025 Ground Anchor Systems was contracted to Fulton Hogan to complete rock fall mitigation works at the Howard Narrows for NZTA.
The works consisted of scaling across 4 sites on the narrow stretch of road. The installation of 86 rock bolts was completed over 15 days of drilling, then a total of 650m2 of Tecco mesh was used to secure the face.
All the drilling was completed using a Crane Basket suspended off a 60ft crane. This allowed for high production and a safer approach compared a traditional A-frame drilling rig.
The onsite geology dictated that a layer of sacrificial Tecco mesh be installed prior to drilling. This then allowed for a top-down approach to stabilise the area with production rock bolts and mesh allowing the drilling crew to work safely below.
This project was successfully completed over a short time frame and in some very challenging weather conditions. The success is due to a strong collaborative approach between Ground Anchor Systems, Fulton Hogan, WSP NZ and NZTA.