Media Statement

March 15, 2011

Prestons cleared of liquefaction by geotechnic report

A geotechnic report carried out since the February 22 earthquake on land on the northern outskirts of Christchurch where developers propose to build the eco-friendly village of Prestons has found no evidence of liquefaction or lateral spreading.

This is consistent with a report commissioned post the September 4 earthquake and reinforces a detailed geotechnical investigation that was carried out in 2008 as part of a Plan Change 30 investigation with special emphasis on soft ground, organic soils and liquefaction.

The reason for the site’s low susceptibility is the presence of aeolian deposits (wind blown sand dunes), which are much denser and thus less susceptible to liquefaction than fluvial deposits or alluvial deposits (typical river deposits).

Prestons Road Ltd is a joint venture including Foodstuffs (South Island) Ltd, Ngai Tahu Properties and CDL Land New Zealand Ltd and is situated on a 203-hectare area, bounded by Mairehau Rd to the south and lower Styx Rd to the north and bisected by Prestons Rd. It ultimately plans to house 6000 people in 2500 homes.

Prestons has applied to the Christchurch City Council for a zoning change from Rural to Living G for the development to proceed.

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