Geotechnical fieldwork is an important aspect of the project as it enables the team to develop an understanding of the soil, rock and groundwater conditions on site.

Prior to Christmas and in early January 2010, South Metro Connect undertook preliminary geotechnical investigations in the area.  This work comprised 17 test pits, eight boreholes, eight Cone Penetration Tests and 17 Perth Sand Penetrometer tests.  Two groundwater monitoring wells and two standpipe (piezometers) were also installed to assess the depth to and fluctuation of the groundwater table.  The monitoring wells will also be used to recover groundwater samples for chemical analysis.

Geotechnical laboratory testing has been scheduled on soil and rock samples recovered from the test pits and boreholes to help characterise the soil and rocks encountered on site.

South Metro Connect has completed all of the scheduled geotechnical fieldwork to date in areas outside of the registered Aboriginal Heritage areas and incorporated any community concerns and comments into the testing process.