Here are the Minutesand Presentations from the latest Community Reference Group (CRG).  I attend on behalf of The Botanica

Note

1.  The Transport part of the presentation was deferred and we did not see those slides at the meeting
2. The info on Bowen Cres is now dated and my update yesterday is more accurate

I have just been told by the Engineer responsible for the works in Bowen Cres, that we will again have access to St Kilda Rd by the end of March.  They found some Telstra cables that were higher than they thought and that meant some changes to their plans!!

He did admit that he had been telling me for 6 weeks that it will be done in 2 weeks…but he’s pretty sure this time

Many or all owners should have received a formal letter late last week from Metro Rail.

What does it mean?

I am not sure but my layman’s interpretation is that if we want to do any major work to The Botanica we would need to make sure it does not impact the construction or operation of the new train tunnel.  So if we decided to knock the building down, dig a big carpark underneath the new building…then we’d have to get some sort of sign-off to say it won’t cause the train tunnel to collapse.

As I say, I am no expert in the field but that’s what I think it means

There is a lot of action taking place on our doorstep….if you want to ask questions about any of it, here is your chance

Good afternoon,

We would like to invite you to come along to our upcoming drop-in information sessions and find out more about upcoming works in April on St Kilda Road and Park Street, South Melbourne.

Metro Tunnel staff will be available to answer your questions.

Details:
Thursday 22 March and Monday 26 March
4:00pm – 6:00pm
Garden Room, Seasons Botanic Gardens, 348 St Kilda Road, Melbourne 3004.

Kind regards,

Hannah
Communications and Stakeholder Relations
Melbourne Metro Rail Authority

I have just received this….MM NOTIFICATION 20180314 St Kilda Road extended hours March

Good evening,

Please find attached a works notification that has been distributed to the Domain email database and is currently being distributed to residents and businesses in the area.

Works are currently underway on St Kilda Road, as notified for in the March construction notification. These works were briefly halted due to the recent discovery of asbestos in a pipe underneath St Kilda Road, so that the asbestos could be safely removed by licensed experts.

These works will now need to be temporarily extended to 10pm each evening, from Wednesday 14 to Wednesday 28 March. This is so that the disruption to the road and tram network can be minimised.

We would like to apologise for the late notice for these extended hours

If you would like to ask any further questions, please contact the Metro Tunnel Information Line on 1800 105 105.

If ever you were thinking of going away for the school holidays…this is the year.  The major tram works opposite The Botanica will occur from April 1 to April 18.  It will happen night and day.

The #58 tram will not run from April 1-17, all other trams will not run from April 6-17.  There will be bus replacements and the #58 Tram will make it as far as the new stop in Park St.  So if you want a tram, it is only a short walk.

During this time there will be 5 nights when NO traffic will be able to travel northwards in St Kilda Rd near us while they do overhead wiring work.  Our access will be maintained but will be a bit problematic.

Around the time of this being completed, Bowen Lane is going to be closed at the St Kilda Rd end…for a LONG time.  When you leave the lower car park you will need to use Albert Rd to get to Kings Way.

Current information is that Bowen Cres will re-open onto St Kilda Rd by the end of next week (March 16).

It will be the end of my “fun” driving for the day and reduce my commute to St Kilda Rd by 15 minutes.  Here are two examples, ONE and TWO

The other end of Bowen Cres will still be some weeks – around end April

It seems they are working slowly and steadily from the city end southwards.  The danger has been managed via a lot of plastic, some water and careful digging.

Here is a link to today’s action

Today they uncovered more pipe

..but also a piece of broken section that is causing more issues

Mick and Stephen have it under control