Retaining Wall Footing and Lawn Platform at Rhu Arden Downs

A property owner in Rhu Arden Downs, Waipu had installed a set of retaining wall posts on a sloped section of their land. They needed help building up the area behind the wall—first with compacted footing layers, and then with soil to form a level, usable lawn. We handled the entire job using our skid steer.

Project Summary

The retaining wall was in place, but the slope behind it remained unstable and exposed. Without proper support and drainage, the hillside was at risk of slipping, posing a serious problem for both safety and usability.

Using our skid steer, we brought in soil and methodically built up the area behind the retaining wall. The footing was formed first, layer by layer, with each pass compacted to provide a solid base. Once that was in place, we continued to bring in and spread topsoil to raise the area and form a level lawn platform.

Unlike minor erosion, hillside slips can cause major damage. By reinforcing the back of the wall with compacted fill and shaping the land correctly, we created a long-term solution that both protects the slope and improves the property’s usable space.

Outcome + Client Benefit

The slope is now structurally supported and topped with a stable, functional lawn. The client no longer has to worry about hillside movement or soil loss. Instead, they have a well-formed outdoor area that drains well and holds up to the elements—a clear upgrade in both safety and practicality.

In the Whangarei region, managing slopes properly is critical. This project is a good example of how compacted backfill and the right shaping, done efficiently with a skid steer, can prevent slips and create usable land on challenging terrain.