How Geotechnical Investigations for Wetlands Support Your Development Project

At Site Geotechnical, we understand that wetlands play an essential role in land development projects across the country. While most of our clients are already familiar with their environmental benefits, such as flood mitigation and water quality improvement, our focus is on the geotechnical considerations that can help wetlands perform reliably and sustainably.

Let’s discover why our wetland investigations are so valuable and how they can support your project’s development and success.

Why Wetland Investigations Are Important

There are currently 67 Ramsar wetlands across Australia, and these unique and important wetlands play a vital role in preserving our local biodiversity. The Australian Wetlands Database has a list of Ramsar wetlands and a wider search function for other wetlands across the country you can access to see if any of these wetlands are near your proposed development project. You can also find out more about wetlands on the DCCEEW’s (Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water’s) website on their page About Wetlands.

Here are some of the ways wetlands can help their environment:

• Provide protection from flooding, tidal waves and storm surges.
• Create safe habitats for marine life, birds and insects.
• Creating microclimates that help prevent damage from extreme weather.
• Storing large amounts of carbon in the vegetation and soil.

Developing land for infrastructure often involves damming or draining wetlands, which then can prevent it from doing its job and sometimes even destroy the wetland completely. Wetlands can also be ruined by pollution, or by both animal and plant-based intrusive species.

Find out more about how wetlands impact our environment by reading the DCCEEW’s page on Wetlands and Coastal/Urban Development.

What Does a Geotechnical Wetland Investigation Involve?

At SITE Geotechnical, we perform wetland investigations for residential developments to make sure they have these extremely useful water features available and that new and existing developments can enjoy their benefits. Our wetland investigations, alongside dam investigations, use soil from the area to create the best match and to develop a structure that can contain water and won’t erode away.

Creating wetlands involves many stages of on-site and laboratory testing to make sure the right type of soil and structure is used. Here are some of the ways SITE Geotechnical will perform a wetland investigation:

1. Soil and Groundwater Analysis

• Soil Suitability: Determining if the site’s soil can retain water effectively and support wetland vegetation. Being able to hold water during heavy rain is a key component of a wetlands’ ability to prevent flooding.
• Permeability Testing: Measuring how well water moves through the soil to assess the potential for seepage or leakage. This is vital for wetlands, as water is cleaned and purified as it moves through each part of the wetland’s system.
• Groundwater Conditions: Evaluating groundwater levels so the wetland can function correctly without flooding.

2. Erosion and Stability Assessments

• Erosion Potential: Assessing the susceptibility of soils to erosion during heavy rain or fluctuating water levels. Soil that will erode quickly won’t be suitable for use in creating a wetland.
• Slope Stability: We review slopes within or near the wetland area to mitigate risks of soil movement or embankment failure, which can cut off parts of the wetland or even destroy it completely.

3. Construction Feasibility

• Identifying potential challenges, such as handling soft soils or managing water during construction, to make the building process much smoother.
• Advising on construction techniques for embankments, cut-off layers, and clay liners to create a wetland that is stable and long-lasting.
• Using Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUB), which relates to the planning and building of developments that incorporate dams, wetlands and water gardens into their designs so the quality of rivers and lakes downstream is improved.

4. Geotechnical Laboratory Testing

• Soil Classification: Understanding the soil types on-site to guide wetland design and make sure soil can hold water effectively.
• Permeability: Providing testing to gain an understanding of the soil’s water-holding capabilities to minimise water loss or the chances of flooding.

5. Design and Compliance Support

• Offering geotechnical recommendations for embankment design and basin slope configurations.
• Ensuring compliance with relevant guidelines, including those from the Melbourne Water Authority and Growth Area Authority (now known as the Victorian Planning Authority).

SITE Geotechnical has performed hundreds of these types of investigations across Victoria.  You can discover some of our previous works, including how we investigated and what the project was for, in our list of past projects.

FAQs About Wetland Investigations

Do you have a question about our wetland investigations or about wetlands in general? You might find the answer here!

1. What is wetland delineation?

If you’ve been searching the internet for ‘wetland investigations’, then you might have come across the term ‘wetland delineation’. These do not mean the same thing, and a ‘wetland delineation’ is a term seen most commonly in the USA. ‘Wetland delineation’ refers to the process of determining where a wetland begins and ends in an area, and is mandatory before any federal or state development project. If there is a chance a wetland may be impacted by a project in America, then delineation must happen beforehand!

2. Can I fish in my local wetland?

Want to go fishing in the wetlands near your home? Chances are it’s allowed, but there are certain areas and bodies of water where fishing restrictions may apply. These include intertidal zones, water catchments and certain areas of specific creeks and rivers. You can learn more about why fishing isn’t allowed in certain areas on the Victorian Fisheries Authority’s page on Waters with Fishing Restrictions.

Want an easy way to see if you can fish in your local wetland? Get the free Recreational Fishing app for your smartphone for instant access to what you need to know!

3. How can I help keep my local wetland healthy?

If you live close to a wetland, there are several things you can do to help keep it healthy and thriving. First, avoid using harsh fertilisers and insecticides in your garden, as runoff from these can enter the wetland and damage the delicate biodiversity within.

You should also safely dispose of things that could harm the wetland, such as rubbish and non-native or aggressive plants. These can destroy native flora and trap, harm and even kill insects, marine life and animals nearby.

Finally, keep an eye on your pets–cats, dogs and even rabbits can also cause great damage to the creatures and plants that call your local wetland home. Make sure they are confined to your property or on a leash, should you choose to walk with them through your wetland!

You can browse the DCCEEW’s website to find out more information about Australian wetlands, as well as our other bodies of water and how we need to manage them as we continue to develop new housing and infrastructure for our growing population.

Why Choose Site Geotechnical?

With decades of experience in geotechnical engineering, we have the expertise to deliver all sorts of targeted services, and these include professional wetland investigations. We provide reliable data and practical guidance to make sure that your wetland will contribute effectively to the overall success of your project’s development.

Whether you need a detailed site assessment, laboratory testing, or construction-phase support, our team is ready to help.

What Other Services Does Site Geotechnical Offer?

Wetland investigations are just one of the many ways we can assist our clients with their development projects. Here are just some of the other services we provide:

1. Earthworks: These are very important for both residential and industrial developments. Our earthworks start with an investigation to determine the best methods and materials to use, followed by providing advice and guidance throughout the project regarding testing and inspections.

2. Piling and Crane Platforms: These platforms will need to be able to bear considerable weight, and we can test the ground underneath them to make sure it will be safe for an effective platform to be built on.

3. Distressed Buildings: We can investigate the cause of cracks in buildings due to earth and soil movements and then recommend the best solution, which can include repairs and treatments to stabilise moisture in the ground.

4. Mini Crawler Rig: Our mini crawler rig is perfect for drilling in tight or hard-to-reach spaces, such as between buildings, up slopes or underneath power cables.

Make sure to browse the full range of our professional services online.

Need a Wetland Investigation? Let’s Work Together

If your development project involves wetlands, let us assist in making it a successful one. Contact Site Geotechnical today to discuss your specific requirements and learn how our investigations can provide the foundation for a sustainable and efficient design. We are a member of Engineers Australia and are fully qualified and licensed to perform all the geotechnical services you might need for your project.

If you’d like to use our wetland investigations service or just need some more information about what we can do, please call us on 1300 557 260 or use our online message form to get in touch.