Noisy night works for new inner-city school force residents to move out

Constant drilling, tradies yelling and swearing and machinery noise until 4am is driving residents to move out of their homes. WATCH THE VIDEO

Residents who live opposite the construction site of a new inner city school have been driven so mad by the noise many of them have opted to move out.

They are now planning a protest in a bid to have the night works stopped.

For two months Grantham St residents, at Dutton Park, have endured constant construction noise as tradesman work to complete the new Brisbane South State Secondary College (SSC).

The new school, set to open for Year 7 students in 2021, is on a block surrounded by Gladstone Rd, Grantham St and Annerley Rd.

Machinery being used at night time at the site of a new inner-city school.

A truck idling outside a home near the construction site of a new school at Dutton Park.

Andy Stamatiou who lives opposite the construction site said the night works had started two months ago.

Residents have had just a handful of uninterrupted nights since then and have been told the works could continue to April.

“It can be anything from jackhammers, the beep beep beep of reversing vehicles, guys yelling, constant noise, trucks coming up and down the street and trucks idling in front of our house,” Mr Stamatiou said.

Artist's impression of the Inner City South State Secondary College

He said the works continued through to 4am.

“My wife has moved to her mother’s house because of the noise. She is a phlebotomist and does shift work hours so needs to sleep,” Mr Stamatiou said.

“Our neighbour has moved out as well and I’d say five to six others along the street too.”

Mr Stamatiou said he and his neighbours were not upset by the new school – just the constant noise.

“Everyone needs to sleep,” he said.

Progress photos of the Inner City South State Secondary College, Department Of Education

Mr Stamatiou said attempts to have the noise level reduced or work to finish at 9pm have been rejected or ignored.

Fed up residents will tonight stage a peaceful protest in a bid to restore some peace and quiet of a night.

Mr Stamatiou, said weather permitting, the residents planned to block the entrance to the work site starting at about 7pm.

The Department of Education has been contacted for comment.

It is not the first time this new school has been in the spotlight – with controversy surrounding the appointment of the new principal.