Business Central July 2021

| 75 CONTRACTING Abseil Access T T Sue Russell Abseil Access has designed and constructed bridges in dramatically stunning and isolated parts of this country. Improving access to wild NZ A rmed with engineering qualifications from England and with a passion for climbing, it seems only logical that Co-founder of Abseil Access, Martin Wilson, would connect himself with an industry that took him to remote and beautiful spaces in New Zealand. He saw a niche in the New Zealand context for a business where access to structures, and indeed building structures, such as suspen- sion bridges, could be achieved through rope access. The company grew steadily. “We started with the high-rise and a bit of off-shore work,” Martin says. Then, as opportunity would have it, another niche opened up with Fonterra, inspecting and cleaning their drier facilities. Crews from Abseil Access undertake the inspections and maintenance at two of Fonterra’s largest plants, at Hawera and Edendale. Then work for Maritime NZ presented in the form of lighthouse inspection and mainte- nance. “There are 28 working light-houses in New Zealand and we’re in a routine cycle of repainting them. It’s interesting how the opportunities from various sectors just happened along at the perfect time for our growing business.” A significant evolution in the company’s journey occurred in 2006, when the company built its first suspension bridge for DOC at the Pillars of Hercules near Turangi. “There weren’t many firms back then who tendered for these sorts of projects and the job went really well.” This was followed by an invitation to build a 36m walk bridge at Zealandia, in Welling- ton’s Karori. Today, Abseil Access has either designed and constructed or constructed 68 bridges in dramatically stunning and isolated parts of this country and abroad. Places no- one would have had the opportunity to have seen before. The jobs kept coming, with larger and more challenging walk bridges including a 150m suspension bridge on the Heaphy Track and all the bridges on the Paparoa Track. On the ‘Old Ghost Road’, out of Westport, Abseil Access built 18 bridges for a private initiative, Mokohinui Backcountry Trust. The company specialises in geotechnical engineering, bridge design and build, asset integrity, explosives and blasting. And with a push to get New Zealanders and visitors to this country out seeing our spectac- ular whenua some of the bridge projects have been closer to town, enabling walkers and bikers alike in towns and settlements to enjoy their immediate surrounds. Today, more than ever, building pedestrian/ cycle bridges involves community consulta- tion and support, reflecting the values and material of the environment, as is the case with the 45m suspension span crossing the Uretara Stream in Katikati, a Western Bay of Plenty town. With the full support of local Iwi and the town’s artistic community Abseil Access designed and built the 1.8m wide suspension bridge which features carved handrail inserts reflecting local native flora and fauna. Tower poles used were sourced from the jarrah hardwood Wellington trolley bus poles, braced by disused rail irons from Kiwirail. The bridge is in the same position as a disused historic rail bridge. “We really enjoy these projects because there’s a strong sense of artistry and creativity in them,” Martin says. Martin says one reason why Abseil Access is flourishing is that they are a ‘one-stop-shop’, able to quote accurately, design and control all aspects of a bridge’s construction. “We’re currently building a bridge over the Nile River in Charleston, just north of Punakai - ki. It’s part of the Kawaitiri Track which runs from Westport to Charleston on the West Coast. In all we will be building five bridges in this project.” The Bridge Across The Nile, in the place of the old historic road bridge will have stainless steel cables. It’s in a space of historical impor- tance to the locals. Abseil Access has offices in Wellington and Christchurch and has 18 staff and will be looking to increase the size of the business as demand grows. “Bridge building for the new New Zealand Cycle Trails is definitely a great industry to be involved in.” ENGINEERING AND ROPE ACCESS SERVICES THAT KEEP YOUR WORLD MOVING • Asset Integrity • Bridges • Conservation • Energy • Explosives & Blasting • Geotechnical Providing specialist services nation-wide on sites and locations that seem inaccessible. W abseilaccess.co.nz • Gantry Crane manufactu r e & servicing • P r essu r e V essels • Mechanical Engineering • Plant maintenance and installations • Steel Fabrication • Machining Proud to manufacture steelwork for Abseil Access projects 36 Armstrong Street, Palmerston North Ph. 06 357 4039 Email. JJ.Niven@xtra.co.nz Wayne Buchanan | 53A Curries Road, Christchurch 021 277 0505 or 03 381 8277 | wayneb@steel-structures.co.nz Professionals in structural steel, balustrading and house beams with over 30 years combined experience