Site clearance and investigation for development

Background

Our client intended to use 27 sites, which were overgrown with dense vegetation and trees, for the construction of solar arrays. We were asked to clear vegetation to prepare the sites for future development. During the process, we encountered nesting birds on some sites, which necessitated rescheduling some clearing activities to protect local wildlife and comply with ecological guidelines.

Implementation

The primary objectives of the project were as follows:

• clear vegetation from the 27 sites, reducing the ground vegetation to 100 mm
• safely fell trees, remove them from the sites and grind the tree stumps to ensure a level and stable surface for construction to begin
• collaborate closely with the ecology team to identify nesting bird sites and schedule clearing activities to avoid disturbances during nesting bird season.

We used a robotic tractor with a flail attachment to cut the ground vegetation to a uniform height of 100 mm, efficiently clearing large areas. Skilled arborists used chainsaws to fell trees safely, while tree chippers were utilised to process the felled trees into manageable wood chips. Stump grinders were then employed to grind the tree stumps to a depth of 300 mm below the ground, ensuring a smooth terrain for future construction.

Our project team worked closely with the ecology team to conduct thorough surveys for nesting birds. If any were found, clearing activities for the affected sites were rescheduled until after the nesting bird season to protect the wildlife.