Geotechnical Investigations

The magnitude and quantity of slope and cliff instability within the Wollongong Council Area is significant. The geotechnical and slope stability study will develop a framework that establishes the criteria within which a site with current or potential future instability is deemed to be influenced by coastal processes. A qualitative risk based framework for individual assessment of sites will also be established to define geotechnical hazards.

The geotechnical study will:-

• Identify Hazard Areas within defined coastal zone.
• Utilise an existing GIS-based Landslide Inventory and Landslide Susceptibility Mapping.
• Utilise high resolution terrain data to identify slope categories.
• Incorporate coastal processes and climate change into the risk assessment.
• Prepare landside hazard extents which can be used to assist future planning within the Wollongong LGA.

An example of the high resolution terrain data that will be used to identify slope categories is presented below.

Figure 1 - An example of the high resolution terrain data which will be used to identify slope categories.