Rimu Apartments construction milestone
A roof tent has been fitted on the second apartment building at The Botanic Silverdale marking a significant milestone in the retirement village’s development.
The tent fixture follows a marathon 12-hour effort in which 150m3 of concrete was poured to complete the top floor of the three-story building.
“The pour began at 4am and it finished at around 4pm,” says Jeremy Quiding, the Senior Development Manager at The Botanic Silverdale.
Construction on the Rimu apartment complex began in September last year, the second apartment complex in the village, and should be completed in 12 months. The 4,590sqm building will house 32 apartments in three, two, and one-bedroom configurations as well as underground parking.
“The roof tent really is a milestone because it signals how far we’ve come, but it also allows us to push ahead and complete the build irrespective of whatever the weather throws at us as we head into the wetter month,” says Quiding.
It’s been a busy few weeks for MAKO, The Botanic’s build partner, who also staged a mock rescue operation from the large crane tower which is stationed alongside the Rimu apartments.
MAKO collaborated with a specialist team from Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) and a local Silverdale FENZ crew to simulate a rescue option to retrieve a crane operator who had suffered a medical event.
“Central to everything we do is safety, prevention, and preparedness but if an event occurs that is out of our hands, we need to know how to respond quickly and safely to minimise the risk to life for everyone on site. It’s part of our evolving Occupational, Safety and Health plan,” says Quiding.
Emergency responders worked at speed to access the cab of the crane, and then secure and lower the operator to the ground.
“Tower cranes, by their nature, present a unique set of risks to emergency response teams. The rescue plan had to consider a number of challenges including how to create a safe landing zone for the patient, what to do if the crane had a load suspended in the air, and how to quickly position fire appliances and ambulances below,” says Quiding.
“It was an eventful day, but it also reinforced The Botanic and MAKO’s shared commitment to creating a safety-first build environment.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What recent milestone was achieved in the construction of the Rimu Apartments at The Botanic Silverdale?
The Rimu Apartments reached a major milestone with the fitting of the roof tent, following a 12-hour concrete pour of 150m³ to complete the top floor. This roof tent marks an important step forward, enabling construction to continue smoothly through all weather conditions.
When is the Rimu Apartment complex expected to be completed, and what will it include?
Construction on the Rimu Apartments began in September last year and is expected to be completed within 12 months. The 4,590sqm building will feature 32 modern apartments available in one, two, and three-bedroom configurations and will include underground parking for residents’ convenience.
How does The Botanic ensure safety during construction projects like the Rimu Apartments?
Safety is a top priority at The Botanic. Recently, build partner MAKO collaborated with Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) to conduct a mock crane rescue operation. This drill helped train teams to respond swiftly and safely in emergencies, reinforcing The Botanic and MAKO’s ongoing commitment to a safety-first construction environment.
