Water Tank Platform Preparation and Access Road

On a steep property in Waipu, a client had a water tank delivered, but no safe or level ground to install it. The terrain was uneven, and there was no proper access route. We were called in to build a stable platform and cut in a functional track, managing the entire job on the hillside with our skid steer and compaction gear.

Project Summary

The tank site sat partway down a sloping section, common for rural builds in Waipu but challenging to work with. Our first task was to shape and stabilise the area. Using the skid steer, we bench-sawed out a platform, then brought in hard brown fill to raise and level the base in compacted layers.

We used a plate compactor to firm each layer, ensuring no movement under the tank. Once the platform reached the right height and shape, we topped it with a layer of fine bluestone. This final surface provides excellent drainage, prevents slipping, and gives a clean, solid base for the tank.

We also cut in a narrow access track along the hillside, giving the owner and service vehicles safe, all-weather access to the tank site. Finally, we moved and positioned the water tank, now sitting squarely on a stable foundation.

Outcome + Client Benefit

The tank is now installed on a strong, compacted base that won’t move or slump. The bluestone top layer helps manage water run-off and gives a clean finish. The new access track makes the tank reachable year-round, without damaging the hillside. It’s a tidy, reliable solution that turned a difficult slope into a usable, low-maintenance part of the property. On Waipu’s hillsides, tank sites without proper foundations often end up leaning or eroding. This project shows how good materials and compacting, done right on-site, can solve that long-term. A small setup, done properly, makes a big difference.