Paddy’s Hill soil nailing – VicRoads Update

May 19, 2017

Wye River Hillside Stabilisation

Soil nailing has started on the Paddy’s Path hillside at Wye River on the Great Ocean Road today.

Soil nailing is part of the stabilisation works on the hillside after a major landslip in September, 2016.

Soil nailing follows the construction of a 75m three-metre-tall concrete and gabian rock wall along the iconic tourist road and a second 36m-long concrete retaining wall above the landslide zone further up the hill.

Two three-man mobile tripod rigs will be suspended from anchor points above the Paddy’s Path walking trail that links Wye River and Separation Creek.

Vegetation was removed from the work area last week to enable the tripod rigs to freely abseil across the slope.

The soil nailing will involve the drilling of 300 bores, each up to 8m deep, and the insertion of steel rods anchored into the hillside with a ceramic mix.

Sheets of steel mesh will then be fastened to the rod heads to further lock down the hillside. Erosion control matting will be used on exposed surface areas.

Soil nailing is expected to be completed mid July.

The soil nailing rigs will operate Monday to Friday between 7.30am and 5pm and Saturdays 7.30am to 1pm. This includes time for daily set-up and pack-down (around 45 minutes) and to relocate the rigs on the site. VicRoads and its Alliance partner Fulton Hogan aim to rapidly progress these works before the onset of winter.

The soil nailing process will generate some noise. If you have any concerns please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Paddy’s Path update

VicRoads engineers, geotechnical experts and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning have recently determined that Paddy’s Path can be restored on its original lower alignment.

This alignment had suffered significant damage in the landslide. The final design of the path and bridging solution is still to be finalised. We will update you as more information becomes available.

Get in Touch & More Information

VicRoads has a designated webpage for Great Ocean Road landslide information and traffic conditions.

To sign up to our E bulletin distribution list email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Up to date information can also be found on the VicTraffic website and app or by calling 13 11 70.

If you have a question, or want to find out more we would love to hear from you. Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..