See below

As I indicated before Xmas, the Minister has requested that the Metro Rail team do some more work to investigate a possible location of the Domain Station nearer the city.  The post is here.

If a serious investigation is to be done then I feel it is presumptuous to continue with the ‘early works’.  I believe that Metro rail scheduled all the ‘early works’ assuming they would get full clearance to continue.

In this light I have lodged a personal objection to the Boer War Park changes.  It is not on behalf of the Owners Corp and simply raises the ‘process issue’ – essentially saying…please put the ‘early works’ on hold until the station location is finalised.

I have also notified Metro Rail of my objection.

You don’t need to do anything yourself but you may also lodge objections up until Jan 4.  I personally do not believe that the quantity of objections makes any difference.

Happy new year

I know that there is some confusion about the exact location of the temporary tram tracks outside The Botanica.  Metro Rail have the attached maps which have a lot of detail.

It shows the trees that will be removed for the #8 tram works (orange), the trees that will go as part of the service relocation work / station box (blue) and others (purple).  As will so often be the case with this work, there is good news and bad news.

The bad news is that we lose our close trees (on footpath) but the good news is we keep our median strip ones for now – the bigger healthier ones.  Also good that the tram is not under our windows but that is because the digging will be (later on).

Current plan – minimum of one lane of cars in each directions plus trams plus bikes

p25649-proposed-changes

Unfortunately I am overseas and was unable to attend last night’s community meeting.

I notice that many of the ‘fact sheets’ have now been updated and are available here.  They cover many of the day to day questions, on trees, condition reports, air quality and much more.

I’d encourage you to read them.

You probably received  this img_0014 in your letterbox today – but just in case you did not, please find attached the latest info from Metro Rail.

Note there is a public meeting on Wed Nov 30 from 6pm-8pm at South Yarra Citizens Centre at Fawkner Park.  I would encourage you go to this session.

MMRA are interested in helping to facilitate a process with the Tunnels and Stations contractor (once appointed) to explore the potential for senior engineers and other tunnel workers  (many expected from overseas) to talk to people in our building who want to rent out their apartment

Metro Rail already have a 1800 in umber in place for queries.  They are very happy for Botanica residents to call the number and make operational queries.

This includes things like “Is the drilling in Bowen Crescent today related to Metro Rail, how long will it go?”

Feel free to call 1800 551 927 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).

Once the construction begins in 2018 there will be a different process and I’d expect it to be a 24 hour facility.

The previous post had lots in it…here is a few of the key things to me

• In the first few months of 2017, we will see lots of action.  New tram stop, Domain Rd closed, Bromby St opened
• In second half of 2017 we will see tram /road / bike lanes moved to the ‘other side’ and trees go.
• Early 2018 we will see the ‘open hole’.  It will be a big hassle but work will be mainly during daylight and go for about 18 months
• Mid 2019 – An acoustic shed will minimise our noise / dust but work will go 7/24 for 18 months.
• End 2021 – Our pain will be “over” and the road back to final config
• 2026 – all systems go

Essentially the hassle will go for FIVE years from the start of 2017…not great but better than I thought previously.