Melbourne coronavirus: What’s happening with major projects, developments
As the city shuts down, many major road and rail projects and building developments are pushing on with caution while others, including a popular TV reno show, are being put on ice. Here’s how they are responding to the coronavirus crisis.
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How are significant projects responding to the coronavirus crisis?
As Victorians are being told to cancel backyard barbecues, think twice about trips to the hairdresser and shop online as authorities look to tighten the state’s unprecedented lockdown, some major developments have been put on ice while others are pushing on with caution.
Here’s where things stand with several big projects and developments, from A-Z, as of Thursday, March 26
The Block, Brighton
Contestants of TV reno show The Block have been forced to down tools and head home.
Executive producer Julian Cress on Thursday said the team behind the reality reno show had decided to “stop filming with the contestants and stop the competition temporarily so we could get out ahead of (any) looming shutdown of state borders and a potential full lockdown of the state”.
Two days earlier, in a written statement, Mr Cress said they were taking the situation very seriously.
Mr Cress said they were going to “unprecedented levels” to make the New St building site “safe for everyone”.
The show had reportedly completed four weeks of filming.
THE BLOCK CONTESTANTS SENT HOME
Capitol Grand, South Yarra
Capitol Grand, LK Property Group’s landmark project at the corner of Toorak Rd and Chapel St in South Yarra, is slated for completion within the next few months despite the State Government’s shutdown of non-essential businesses.
LK Property Group chief executive Boris Rozenvasser said Multiplex, the project’s builder, was adhering to all government advice regarding health and safety during the coronavirus pandemic.
He said it was very much a watch and act situation and they were taking things day by day, but he couldn’t foresee why completion of the project would not be on target.
“It’s continuing as normal, Multiplex have their program and it’s continuing,” Mr Rozenvasser said.
“At this stage it’s business as usual.”
Hawthorn Kennedy Community Centre, Dingley
Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett and CEO Justin Reeves announced last week that development of the Hawks’ new home base in Dingley would be put on hold indefinitely.
“During this time, there is also a need for us to make decisions to ensure the long-term viability and future of Hawthorn Football Club,” the pair said in a letter to members.
“As custodians of the club, it is our role to ensure there is a Hawthorn, today, tomorrow and always. With that in mind, the decision has been made to place the Kennedy Community Centre (KCC) project on-hold until further notice.
“This will ensure all resources and energies can be spent navigating through these unprecedented times. Any donations or pledges that have been made specifically to the KCC project via the Hawthorn Football Club Foundation, will be ring-fenced and protected until the project is back up and running.”
Melbourne inner city construction sites
Laws limiting inner city construction hours will be eased, with the City of Melbourne allowing an extra two hours on weekdays, an extra three hours on Saturdays, and the ability to work on Sundays.
Deputy Lord Mayor Arron Wood said the system would be reviewed monthly.
Major Melbourne projects (includes Metro Tunnel, North East Link, West Gate Tunnel, Mordialloc Freeway etc)
Major Transport Infrastructure Authority director-general Corey Hannett said Victoria’s Big Build was continuing as planned.
The authority encompasses work on the level crossing removals, North East Link, West Gate Tunnel, Major Road Projects Victoria and Rail Projects Victoria.
“The health and safety of our workers is our key priority, as is supporting social distancing measures to reduce the spread of coronavirus,” Mr Hannett said.
“All work sites have strict protocols to protect workers’ safety, including enhanced cleaning, supplied personal protective equipment, and measures to reduce staff contact such as staggered shifts.”
There are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 within the MTIA or it people working on its projects.
*Scroll down to Suburban Rail Loop latest
Melbourne Square, Southbank
Southbank construction site Melbourne Square has been temporarily shut down due to a worker who had tested positive to COVID-19.
A Multiplex spokeswoman confirmed the large worksite had been shut down on the night of Monday, March 30.
In a statement they said the worker tested positive at 6pm.
“Multiplex was notified … that a worker who attended work at our Melbourne Square site was found to have tested positive for COVID-19,” the statement said.
“We immediately carried out a full clean and sanitisation of the site in accordance with latest protocols.
“Upon appropriate clearance we anticipate work recommencing within 24 hours.”
Piedimonte’s Supermarket mega-retail and residential development, Fitzroy North
Piedimonte’s Supermarket’s planned mega retail and residential redevelopment in the heart of Fitzroy North has been postponed indefinitely due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Piedimonte’s wants to transform its Best St site into a seven-storey complex with 66 apartments, a three-level underground carpark, a refurbished supermarket, a rooftop terrace, a cafe and a bottle shop.
The proposed development will swallow all real estate within the Best, Scotchmer and Egremont streets boundary.
Suburban Rail Loop
Suburban Rail Loop Authority chief executive Nick Foa said geotechnical drilling, as part of extensive planning for the loop, would continue with strict protocols in place to protect workers.
“The health and safety of our workers is our key priority, as is supporting social distancing measures to reduce the spread of coronavirus,” he said.
A community information session about the project at Glen Waverley railway station was cancelled as a precaution and any future public consultations would be guided by advice from health experts.
You can get project updates and take part in an online survey at suburbanrailloop.vic.gov.au
WesUrban Group, several projects in Melbourne’s east
Company spokesman Jean Ding on March 25 said work would continue on the company’s several apartment and multi-unit projects, including sites in Box Hill, Doncaster, Boronia, Croydon and Mt Waverley, “at this stage”.
CFMEU national construction secretary Dave Noonan said it was vital sites remained operational.
Mr Noonan said all construction workers were “urged to observe the health and hygiene measures as advised by medical authorities”.
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