Awatoto Roundabout Safety Improvement Project – FuturFiber® Dag Wool Case Study

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Specified FuturFiber® Dag Wool Mulch Matting for SH51 Awatoto Roundabout Safety Improvement Project

The Goal:

The SH51 Awatoto Roundabout Safety Improvement Project in Hawke’s Bay aimed to enhance road safety along a key corridor between Napier and Hastings, while also incorporating environmentally sustainable landscaping. Led by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, the project transformed a high-risk intersection into a safer, more connected, and visually appealing transport route.

The Challenge:

The SH51 and Awatoto Road intersection had long been identified as a safety risk, with traffic congestion, narrow shoulders, and proximity to a rail crossing contributing to a hazardous environment for both drivers and pedestrians. Alongside improving traffic safety, the project team saw an opportunity to enhance ecological resilience through low-maintenance, native landscaping tailored to the coastal environment.

The Solution:

The project delivered a range of integrated safety and landscape improvements, including:

  • Construction of a new roundabout at the SH51 and Awatoto Road intersection to improve traffic flow and reduce crash risk
  • Installation of 4.8 km of flexible road safety barriers, and widening of 2.4 km of roadway for increased separation between vehicles
  • Realignment of the road to move traffic away from a nearby rail level crossing
  • Creation of a wide, accessible crossing to connect the beach domain with nearby pedestrian and cycle networks

Fulton Hogan served as the lead contractor for the civil works, while South Pacific Landscapes managed the planting and vegetation establishment. Advance Landscape Systems, working with engineering consultancy Stantec, supported the landscape design and maintenance planning. A key landscaping recommendation was the use of FuturFiber® Dag Wool Mulch Matting (750gsm) to aid plant establishment and reduce long-term maintenance inputs.

FuturFiber® Dag Wool Mulch Matting Specified for SH51 Intersection
Manufactured from wool sourced from New Zealand sheep farms, FuturFiber® Dag Wool Mulch Matting was selected for its environmental benefits, functional performance, and compatibility with native planting in coastal conditions. The biodegradable natural fibre geotextile played a critical role during the early establishment phase and offered multiple benefits:
  • Weed Suppression: Reduces light penetration to limit weed growth, helping to avoid herbicide use
  • Moisture Retention: Keeps soil damp, reducing irrigation needs and plant stress
  • Nutrient Release: Slowly decomposes, enriching soil with nitrogen, sulphur, and potassium
  • Durability: Remains effective during the critical plant establishment period before naturally breaking down
  • Sustainable Sourcing: Supports local wool growers and reduces the environmental footprint compared to imported or synthetic materials

The use of FuturFiber® Dag Wool Mulch Matting has proven effective for this project, with the matting still intact and performing its intended functions of weed suppression and moisture retention. The native plants have thrived in the coastal environment, contributing to the project’s overall success and serving as a model for sustainable infrastructure development.

Learn more about FuturFiber® Dag Wool Mulch Matting 750gsm

Client
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency
Product Used
FuturFiber® Dag Wool Mulch Matting (750gsm)
Consultant
Greg Suckling, Natural Fibre Geotextiles
Location
Hawke’s Bay

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