Imported fill and off-site disposal are usually the largest avoidable haulage on a development site. Both are decided at the point platform levels are set.
On a current residential township, terracing and retaining structures were arranged to balance cut and fill across the site, eliminating both import and disposal.
What it requires
Balance is a design outcome, not a site improvisation. It needs the earthworks model available before levels are frozen, and a willingness to adjust platform levels for constructability rather than convenience.
- Earthworks model produced before platform levels are fixed
- Material suitability testing early enough to count reusable volumes
- Retaining structure cost compared against haulage cost honestly
- Temporary stockpile locations planned into the site layout
Measure it
We report imported fill and off-site disposal volumes per project. Where the figure is not zero, the reason is recorded — that is how the next design review gets better.