Proposed NBN Telecommunications Tower, Downside, NSW

Martens were engaged to conduct a geotechnical investigation at Downside, NSW.

Martens were engaged to conduct a geotechnical investigation at Downside, NSW. The investigation was required to support NBN Co Limited’s site acquisition and environmental design for a proposed monopole telecommunications installation.

Downside is located to the north of Wagga Wagga and the site was considered an integral part of NBNCo’s regional wireless national broadband network coverage (along with many others investigated by Martens and Associates in the Wagga Wagga area). The underlying site geology consisted of the Wantabadgery Granite batholith. An operating hard rock quarry was located adjacent to the site.

Project scope included:

• Mobilisation of drill rig and investigation team to site
• Investigation to 8.0m below ground level with solid flight auger (V-bit and TC-bit) and rock coring (NMLC) to determine sub-surface soil and rock type and strength
• Penetration testing of soil with SPT or DCP to supplement borehole data
• Soil resistivity testing using the ‘Wenner 4 Pin’ method
• GPS locating of boreholes
• Analysis of field data and preparation of report with geotechnical parameters and recommendations for NBN structural and civil design teams