A couple of residents have reported very rusty water in their apartments. We are not sure where the problem is located. If anyone else is having any issues please let Paul know.
Thanks
Category Archives: St Kilda Rd living
Survey regarding Metro Rail
Since the Metro Rail project was announced we have been talking to Metro Rail about the impact of the Domain station on residents of the area. The project will run for a number of years and we feel it is important that we better understand the issues and concerns in more detail.
We have attempted to represent the project in an accurate and fair light but cannot guarantee it is all perfect. If you have any concerns about any of the details, you should contact Melbourne Metro Rail directly.
The survey should take less than ten minutes to complete.
The survey is for all individuals, owners and tenants. Each person in your apartment can reply separately. From the data we collect we cannot identify who has said what. We only have anonymous results.
Click on this link
Gary Buck
Chairman – The Botanica Owners Corp
Domain Station indicative picture
Current Metro Rail issues
Without reading the EES documentation and based on conversations to date with Metro Rail, the attached document is our list of main issues.
2016 05 Metro Rail Domain station impacts
Feedback welcome
Metro Rail – Environmental Effects Study
The Metro Rail people have today released the Environmental Effects Study (EES). The associated press release says (in part)
“The EES also outlines the significant impacts on open space, roads and other transport, including temporary and permanent closures of some streets and occupation of public areas along the tunnel alignment. Some of these impacts will last 3-5 years during the construction phase.
The EES reveals concept designs, exact locations and depths for the five new underground stations that will be built as part of the Metro Tunnel Project, and how they will be built.
The new Domain Station will be built 15 metres below St Kilda Road using an advanced cut and cover approach. The station will include three entrances: one in the Shrine of Remembrance Reserve, one at the relocated Domain tram interchange, and another in the open space where the South African Soldiers Memorial is currently located.”
There is a mass of documents, all available here. I’d suggest the Executive Summary is a good place to start.
We are intending to make a formal submission on behalf of the Botanica residents, feedback welcome.
Fibre internet connection
After all that footpath digging, it is now possible for you to get your internet connection via TPG’s FTTB service. There are multiple suppliers who can use that fibre but the TPG related company is called Wondercom and here is their web site. Their phone number is 1300 160 163
It is not compulsory and I have no knowledge of the performance. Personally I am very happy with my current Telstra cable service and will not be swapping.
We are still waiting on NBN and I expect it is not too far away.
If anyone starts using the TPG service it would be great if you could post your feedback (good or bad) on the blog.
Metro Rail – Answers to some questions
- Should residents / owners put in their own comments to Metro Rail?
I am submitting my feedback to them as Chairman of The Botanica Owners Corp and I am trying to represent views of most residents. But I do not know everyone’s views. I am very happy for anyone to submit further feedback to Metro Rail.
The best email address to use is james.tonkin@melbournemetro.vic.gov.au
James is Director, Communications & Stakeholder Relation, Melbourne Metro Rail Authority
- Modifications to our carpark would be expensive and involve legal costs etc.
I don’t think it is feasible to modify our carpark to allow basement vehicles to enter/exit via Bowen Cres. However if that did happen then Metro Rail would pick up all costs.
- Concerns on noise and dust during construction
They are well aware of this being a major issue. In the last few months, they have been in contact with the organisation who is completing a similar project in London. This has meant that they now believe that the ‘open hole’ period will be reduced from around 36 months to 24-30 months. That’s still a long time but the focus of making this time period shorter is great.
They have agreed to regular washing of our building.
Going forward there will be an opportunity for The Botanica OC and individuals to provide formal feedback. At this time you can comment on issues such as hours of work, noise, dust, local amenity and the like
Metro Rail – Re-emphasizing our position
With the project now out to tender, the following information was sent to the James Tonkin, Director – Comms and Stakeholder Relations at Metro Rail.
We plan to formally respond as part of the public comment process when that time comes.
James
Seems that things are now full steam ahead. On behalf of Botanica I’d just like to again highlight our major issues.
- Driveway access from each of our two independent driveways is critical. The St Kilda rd. driveway is the more critical as it:
- Provides access to around 50 cars
- It is also the only disabled access to the building
- It is the only access for significant deliveries. Lack of access would prevent people moving in and out, furniture deliveries and the like.
- At the meeting you suggested that some form of car lift may be possible. Please be aware that my understand is that anything that requires a building permit will trigger a council requirement for Botanica to meet current disability access requirements. This is likely to be expensive and undesirable.
- You have reassured us several times that the emergency exit will not be outside Botanica. We have a preference for it to be near the corner of Bromby St and St Kilda Rd, a practical location for an emergency exit. Bowen Cres is a poor second choice.
- The trees form a fundamental part of our St Kilda Rd vista. A comprehensive plan is essential to give us confidence that the leaf coverage will be substantial at the conclusion of the project. We expect much better than young developing trees.
- We were pleased that you assured us that we will not have any adverse noise or vibrations when the Project goes live.
- We were pleased that you accept that it will be necessary for the Project to fund some maintenance works on the building during the construction period. This is likely to be issues like regular wash downs of the façade.
Gary Buck
Painting and redecorating
Residents have seen painters around the building and asked a few questions, let me try and answer.
A few months back we replaced all of the hall and lobby lights with LED lights (which are much cheaper to run). The old lights had caused some heat flaring on the walls and so we need to repaint the hallways. They have not been done for about 10 years and it is in our fully funded long term plan. No levy will be required to carry out this work. (This is feeling like a budget speech now!)
Before we paint the hallways / lobby, the Committee thought it was a good time to consider the building interior as a whole. This includes individual doors, lift surrounds and lobby furniture. We have not made any decision on the how much will be done during 2016 but we felt it was important to have the big picture before we start.
One of our owners is a retired interior designer and offered her services at no charge.
We have asked her to come up with two fully costed options that the Committee can consider.
We are also planning to get a second opinion.
No decisions have been made as yet and the level of change will dictate the degree of consultation. If we decide to repaint the hallways the same colour, then I would not envisage taking that to an AGM. If the changes were dramatic then I feel taking it to a much wider audience like the AGM would be sensible.
Metro Rail update – April 2016
MM PRESENTATION Update to Botanica Apartments 20160405
Please find attached notes from our recent meeting. Some of the main things to note:
- The marked emergency station exit is now planned for Bowen Cres and not out the front of our building.
- Our St Kilda Rd car park exit is a major issue for them. They understand the criticality of it to us and are trying to find a workable solution. The are even entertaining spending significant dollars building some form of permanent car lift to allow all vehicles out via Bowen Cres (I don’t think it is feasible but shows how serious they are treating the issue)
- They are prepared to fund regular washing of the building during construction.
- They understand the importance of our street trees.
- The period for the ‘open cut’ has been reduced to 24-30 months.
Feedback welcome
Gary Buck
The Botanica 
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