Cross River Rail construction noise impacting ‘quality of life’, claims local resident

People living near Cross River Rail construction sites say they are being pushed to breaking point and no one is willing to address their concerns. WATCH THE VIDEO

Residents living near Cross River Rail say the construction being carried out through the night has “severely impacted” their quality of life.

Marco Diotallevi, who lives near the Albert St construction site, says he has struggled to sleep most nights with the construction going on almost 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

A Cross River Rail Delivery Authority spokesman said they were aware of feedback provided by residents near the Albert Street station construction site.

“Given the sheer scale of Cross River Rail and the nature of the work involved, it is not unusual for critical work to take place outside of standard construction hours if required,” he said.

But Mr Diotallevi said it was quite loud throughout the night and had even started recording the decibels.

Festival Towers resident Marco Diotallevi has made several complaints about the Cross River Rail construction happening outside his window on Albert street in Brisbane city. Picture Lachie Millard

“I understand this is a public work which all Queenslanders will benefit from but I wonder why there is no limit on noise in the night,” he said.

“I understand they can do it but they should have a limit.”

Mr Diotallevi said if there was a limit then the residents nearby would be able to get some sleep.

“Why don’t they care about the residents that are living in an open construction site?” he said.

“There is nothing minimising the sound coming into the night, there is only my windows.

“This summer I can’t open the windows because otherwise the sound will be unbelievable.”

Mr Diotallevi said he had asked the development site multiple times for answers as to why there was no limit at night and they had always replied the same way – that it was authorised.

Footage captures noise levels at the Cross River Rail construction site at Albert St. Picture: Supplied

A Cross River Rail Delivery Authority spokesman said the community was kept up to date with construction activities across their sites including work outside of standard hours.

“Imposed conditions, including noise goals and work hours for the project, have been established as part of the project’s rigorous Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process,” he said.

“All activities undertaken to date at Albert Street are in accordance with the project requirements, which was confirmed recently by the independent environmental monitor.”

Mr Diotallevi said it was evident it was an active construction site at night and there was nothing to minimise part of the noise from the work they were doing

A spokesperson for the Office of the Coordinator-General said the Coordinator General and the Department of Transport and Main Roads monitor the performance of the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority.

“The role of the Coordinator-General is to evaluate the project and to set the appropriate conditions to manage its effects.

“The CRRDA has a complaints-management process in place and manages all complaints.

“The CRRDA provides monthly reports to the Coordinator-General, including a summary of the nature of complaints. The Coordinator-General has been given assurances that all complainants are being listened to and that their issues are being considered.”