Noise, dust and relocations have driven South Geelong to their wits end

Track duplication and station upgrades in South Geelong have caused a litany of issues for residents, who are taking up taxpayer funded accommodation to escape the noise.

South Geelong resident Mary Ramia is worried about the noise from the day and night track works as part of the Geelong Line Upgrade. Picture: Brad Fleet

Patience is wearing thin for residents living near track and road works in South Geelong with more through-the-night works imminent.

Residents will have to endure a winter construction blitz on the South Geelong to Waurn Ponds duplication from June 15.

Works throughout the day and night will be carried out along a 8km stretch of track between South Geelong Station to Breakwater Rd, and from Marshalltown Rd to Waurn Ponds Station.

A Regional Rail Revival spokesman said it anticipated the construction blitz to end, and the South Geelong and Marshall stations to open, in late August.

Residents in South Geelong, like Mary Ramia, have had enough of the project which has affected their lives for more than two years.

South Geelong resident Mary Ramia is worried about the noise from the 24 hour track works as part of the Geelong Line Upgrade. Picture: Brad Fleet

Ms Ramia said it had been a “nightmare” having to endure the noise, dust and the amount of rehoming to accommodate the road and track works which have been going since early 2022.

The 57-year-old said while her experiences with the community liaison team associated with the project had been “great”, communication about the works had been woeful.

“As a resident, the communication has been lacking,” she said.

“They put out flyers each month to tell you what’s going on but it’s very high-level kind of stuff.

“The noise and the dust and everything has just been horrendous.”

To compensate for the works, it is understood residents in Verner, Carr and Strong streets have all been offered temporary accommodation at the Vue Apartments and R Hotel at different points throughout the year.

Those living near the track who are affected by the noise can apply for temporary accommodation.

When the Geelong Advertiser posed questions regarding how much rehoming residents had cost taxpayers, the Regional Rail Revival refused to answer.

Residents have been offered temporary relocation because of upgrades to the South Geelong railway station and track duplication. Picture: Alan Barber

Day and night works will start from June 15 through to mid-July in parts of a 8km section of track works. Picture: Alan Barber

A spokesman said: “We thank the community for their continued patience during these important upgrades to local rail and road infrastructure, with the finishing line now in sight.”

Ms Ramia said she was one of a number of residents who had been moved multiple times because of the project.

“We have been relocated twice (to accommodation) and we will be again,” she said.

She spent two weeks in the serviced apartments just prior to Easter, and a further three nights on another occasion.

Ms Ramia said works continued throughout the night even once she had returned home, with the whirring sound of the generators keeping her up throughout the night at times.

“I know people probably think ‘you live on a train line surely you’re used to noise,’” she said.

“But the trains go past, it’s gone, it’s quick.”

Road works have turned quiet suburban streets into major commuter thoroughfares, according to Ms Ramia, pointing out the frustration of residents along Verner St who now contend with a heavy stream of traffic daily.

The Regional Rail Revival has warned about 10,000 local stakeholders about track works and road closures since the project started in early 2022.

Originally published as Noise, dust and relocations have driven South Geelong to their wits end