Boggy easement and drainage/earthmoving questions

6 posts

Member for

9 years 7 months
Kaz
Last seen: 07/06/2023 - 21:03
Joined: 04/05/2015 - 09:51

Boggy easement and drainage/earthmoving questions

Hello! I finally exchanged contracts on my slice of Australia and have been down there 4 times checking for good shed sites for sun paths etc, and to check fence lines. However yesterday I went down and got seriously bogged on the easement that runs into our property. The area had a few days of rain and half a foot of snow cover but one section was like sandy mush. We are now thinking do we get an earthmover in to compact the slight descent into the property with some drainage or did we just go on a really bad day? Should add the local river tripled its flow over 3 days! The last 3 times we went there had been heavy frost and water over the easement, but have never had to put the car into 4wd! Hoping for some advice or experiences! We would like to access the property in all weather.

Last seen: 09/17/2019 - 18:07
Joined: 11/23/2011 - 09:38

Hi,

I note that your question has been on the site for a few days so I'll have a go at answering you. However, I am not an engineer, but have had a similar situation on my property.

 

 First, How long is the easement? I am asking this, because I have a sandy driveway to the house 600m long. In the floods 2 years ago it washed out badly. I had to have 300  tonne (15 truckloads) of road base put onto the worst areas of it to maintain access. Very expensive, but it solved the problem. If the easement is through someone elses property, you would of course, have to get permission from them before doing it.

 

Barb

Kaz
Last seen: 07/06/2023 - 21:03
Joined: 04/05/2015 - 09:51
Thanks for sharing Barb! The section we are looking at is 20-30m descent into our property but it is on our neighbouring property. Last week under snow and up to 100mm of rain we think we saw worst case scenario. Telstra in the past have dug a trench between junction boxes and refilled the hole with a sand backfill which is what we believe is the problem. Our 2 left wheels went down into this trench and on google earth you can clearly see the line from box to box. There is a way around this by diverting away from the obvious sand strip but we will be diverting off the easement on the neighbouring property (only in wet weather). The water runs across the easement and may also need agi pipe under any road base the neighbour hopefully will let us put down (we are letting their sheep roam free on our property and they have allowed us to access the land nearly every weekend so Im guessing they are good guys! ) There is about 10m of driveway ON our property where a seasonal creek trickles through and is "sloshy" but not boggy. This is where we are looking to dump a few more tonne of 20mm road base with some concrete or agi pipe to assist with drainage. I have heard of farmers putting down gravels, recycled concrete etc around muddy gate areas or barns. But not heard or read much about fixing vehicular access unless thousands are spent. We'd like to get a concrete truck in for a slab in tge near future and every concrete business has grimaced when Ive told them theres no driveway. I know a dry summer will give easy access for a cement truck but Im not really comfortable with the cost of a bogged cement truck. Our farm is just a weekend farm for now so weighing up between getting the easement to "all weather access" or avoiding the cost (and the sand trench) for now and patching the worst bits.
Last seen: 09/17/2019 - 18:07
Joined: 11/23/2011 - 09:38

Hi Kaz,

I have checked my books, and found that the all up cost for doing the washed out sections: 15 truckloads of road base = 300 tonne and hire of dozer to spread it was $2,800. that was 2 years and a bit ago, here in SE Qld. What it would cost where you are, I don't know.

hope this gives you an idea.

Cheers,

Barb

Kaz
Last seen: 07/06/2023 - 21:03
Joined: 04/05/2015 - 09:51
Wow that's actually really good!! I was thinking excess of $10k! Thanks for that info! Probably will be worth doing the 300m from gate to planned campsite/shed.
Last seen: 09/17/2019 - 18:07
Joined: 11/23/2011 - 09:38

Hi Kaz,

as you are down south, it could cost you a bit more, but I would say that $4,000 would be the maximum you might pay. I'd get a few quotes first.

Cheers,

Barb

Our Sponsors and Partners


  •  
  • Rivendell financeTopcon value line press release