AND STATEMENT OF EVIDENCE OF CHRIS FISHER

Transcription

1 IN THE MATTER of the Resource Management Act 1991 AND IN THE MATTER of applications by CYPRESS CAPITAL LIMITED to the TAUPO DISTRICT COUNCIL under section 88 of the Act to authorise construction and use of a hotel at 29 Tuwharetoa Street, Taupo STATEMENT OF EVIDENCE OF CHRIS FISHER 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 My name is Chris Fisher and I am the Principle at CJ Fisher Limited, a construction company based at 20 Totara Street in Taupo. 1.2 I am a Licenced Building Practitioner and have been a member of the New Zealand Registered Master Builders Association since I have over 35 years experience in the building and construction industry, including significant experience in all facets of residential and commercial construction. I am a resident of Taupo and have been building residential and commercial buildings in Taupo for over 35 years. Involvement in Project 1.3 I am familiar with the proposed hotel and have viewed all plans associated with it. I have also read the Conceptual Construction Management Plan provided with the application. CJ Fisher Limited is the preferred building contractor to construct the proposed hotel. Purpose and scope of evidence 1.4 The purpose of my evidence is to address matters relevant to the construction of the proposed hotel. My evidence is structured as follows:

2 (a) Basement and foundation construction (Section 2). (b) Building construction (Section 3). (c) Construction time frame, hours, and management (Section 4). (d) Conclusion (Section 5). Expert Witness Code of Conduct 1.5 I have been provided with a copy of the Code of Conduct for Expert Witnesses contained in the Environment Court s 2014 Practice Note. I have read and agree to comply with that Code. This evidence is within my area of expertise, except where I state that I am relying upon the specified evidence of another person. I have not omitted to consider material facts known to me that might alter or detract from the opinions that I express. 2. BASEMENT AND FOUNDATION CONSTRUCTION 2.1 Construction of the basement of the hotel requires excavation to approximately 10m below existing ground level. It is highly likely that the majority of the earth to be excavated is pumice or sandy soil, as is typical of ground conditions in Taupo. It is very rare to hit rock or harder soil conditions when undertaking earthworks in Taupo. 2.2 Pumice and sands are generally loose and only need a digger to remove. Diggers will therefore be used to excavate the earth to get to foundation depth. Once below 4m depth, the earth will be lifted from the excavated hole to trucks via a crane and bucket. I recommend use of a 20 to 30 tonne digger as they produce less noise than larger diggers and can be operated so as to comply with noise limits in the New Zealand Standard NZS6203:1999 Acoustics Construction Noise ( Construction Noise Standard ). 2.3 Noisier equipment such as jackhammers are not generally used to excavate in Taupo ground conditions. Basement excavation and retaining 2.4 As excavation occurs down to 10m, all four side walls will be braced with sheet piling, or something similar, to maintain stability of adjoining buildings, the service lane, and the Tūwharetoa St footpath. Sheet piles are sections of sheet materials with interlocking edges. They are driven into the ground to provide earth retention and excavation support.

3 2.5 Sheet piles are most commonly made of steel, but can also be formed from timber or reinforced concrete. Sheet piles are commonly used for retaining and support when constructing basements. The placement of sheet piling will involve placement of the sheet bracing by crane. This is not a noisy process and would readily comply with the Construction Noise Standard. The photograph attached as Appendix 1 shows sheet piling retaining a very deep excavation. The sheet piling process is shown on the diagrams attached as Appendix 2. Foundations and basement levels 2.6 Poured concrete is proposed for the foundations of the building rather than piles. As a result, pile driving will not be required. Pile driving is normally the noisiest part of any construction project. The construction of foundations will involve the delivery of foundation materials, reinforcing steel, and the delivery of concrete via concrete trucks. None of these activities are very noisy. 2.7 Once foundation level is reached, geotechnical testing of the soil at ground level is undertaken to determine the strength of soils at foundation level as they need to be a certain strength to support the foundations of the building. If ground conditions at foundation level require further work after geotechnical testing, this generally requires deeper excavation and re-compaction of that depth. This work is usually carried out using diggers and front end loaders. 2.8 The basement levels are to be constructed from concrete tilt panels which will be installed via crane and this is not a noisy activity either. 3. BUILDING CONSTRUCTION 3.1 It is proposed that the building is constructed in Cross Laminated Timber ( CLT ). CLT is a solid engineered wood panel that is light weight but very strong, with very good acoustic, fire, seismic, and thermal performance. 3.2 The construction methodology for this material involves construction offsite, with doors and window openings pre-cut into the panels during manufacturing. The panels arrive at site in set lengths and are installed on the building. CLT is fast and easy to install and generates almost no waste onsite. 3.3 This methodology therefore involves less construction on site and allows for faster and cleaner construction. Machinery required for this construction methodology is site cranes and scissor lifts. If the building is not constructed in CLT, concrete tilt slabs will be utilised, which are similarly constructed offsite,

4 transported to the site and installed. Installation would take longer with concrete tilt slab. 4. CONSTRUCTION TIME FRAME, HOURS, AND MANAGEMENT 4.1 Construction is anticipated to take approximately 12 to 15 months, with approximately three months required for excavation. Construction hours 4.2 All construction works can be undertaken between 0700 and 1800 from Monday to Saturday, with no works on Sunday unless agreed to by the Council s Infrastructure Manager, as proposed in the conditions of consent. Construction Management Plan 4.3 Once detailed design is completed, and prior to construction commencing, a detailed Construction Management Plan would be prepared to manage construction. This is normal practice for large construction projects and the proposed conditions of consent require the preparation of such a plan and for it to be provided to the Council s Consents and Regulatory Manager for approval. 5. CONCLUSION 5.1 Based on my construction experience over 35 years in Taupo, I consider that: (a) it is highly likely that the majority of the earth to be excavated is pumice or sands, as is typical of ground conditions in Taupo; (b) the proposed hotel can be constructed using tried and tested construction methodologies that do not generate noise in excess of the Construction Noise Standard; and (c) a detailed Construction Management Plan will ensure that effects of construction are appropriately managed. Chris Fisher 30 November 2018

5 APPENDIX 1 SHEET PILING RETAINING EXCAVATION

6 APPENDIX 2 SHEET PILING PROCESS