Noisy two-day work blitz on future Southland Station riles Cheltenham residents

A COUPLE living next to a train station being built in Melbourne’s inner south say they will have to move out if the “completely unbearable” noise doesn’t stop.

‘We had next to no sleep for two nights’

A CHELTENHAM couple will consider moving out of a residential cul-de-sac if they continue to be bombarded with ear-splitting construction noise from the site of the new Southland station.

Residents say they were subjected to 48-hours of continuous construction noise during a pre-planned blitz on March 5 and 6.

But Tulip Grove couple Peter Swanell and Caroline McKean, who wore earplugs to combat the noise, say they were given no warning of the work.

@moorabbinleader Works on #SouthlandStation started on Friday night. Continuous, unbearable noise. Can you cover? pic.twitter.com/cTqx9B1NzH

— CMcK (@CVMcK) March 5, 2016

Ms McKean, who is six-months pregnant, said the noise was made up of constant digging, scraping, beeping and idling engines, just metres from her home.

“We moved into our spare room, because that’s at the front of our house, and had hearing protection on,” she said.

Ms McKean said the noise was “completely unbearable” as it ran through the night.

“Occasionally you’d hear things being dropped from machinery and loud bangs, it was just horrible.

“We literally had next to no sleep for two nights.

“Come up with a project plan that allows you to work within the hours that are commonly agreed that you are allowed to make that level of noise.

“Don’t just take the piss and do it for the whole weekend and think you can get away with it.”

Leader understands construction crews laid piping for the new Southland station during the 48-hour blitz.

According to EPA guidelines during “large projects” near residential areas “24-hour contact details through letters and site signage” must be provided and “a complaint response procedure” must be put in place.

The new Southland station is set to be built just metres from some Cheltenham backyards. Will the station benefit commuters? Let us know.

Posted by Moorabbin Leader on Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Tulip Grove resident Hannah Hutchinson, whose home is just eight metres from the train tracks, said the construction noise was bearable.

“It wasn’t too bad there is going to be noise given the scale of the project,” she said.

“(PTV) did say that they were going to be working on (March 5 and 6) in a letterbox drop.”

Ms Hutchinson said the construction blitz began at 8pm March 5 and finished in the early hours of March 7.

She called for PTV to install screens to maintain the privacy of Tulip Grove residents and muffled construction noise during the project.

“It would be good if they can put some sort of privacy fence up before they start the major works.”

Metro Trains Melbourne is delivering the project on PTV’s behalf. It is exempt from noise control legislation.

PTV spokesman Jake McLaughlan said the track drainage installation works were scheduled while trains were not running to ensure the safety of both workers and train users.

“Due to the nature of the works and equipment required, local residents and Kingston Council were notified in February that medium to high level construction noise may be experienced,” Mr McLaughlan said.

“As part of the stakeholder engagement process, PTV has been in contact with residents, recently agreeing not to construct a station entrance on Tulip Grove in the short-term as a result of their feedback.”

Mr McLaughlan said locals had been notified that they can expect more track works over Easter.

“The Metro team and their contractors will make every effort to minimise disturbance for residents,” he said.

Last month plans for the $21-million Southland station, which will back onto 10 Tulip Grove properties, were finalised more than five years after it was first promised. The Frankston line station is expected to open in late 2017.

Leader is awaiting a response from EPA.