It's been a while between drinks regarding our opposition towards the tunnel... mainly because http://savehollandpark.org.au has been the focus of my energies.

However, I've felt the need to post this, as it's a quite horrific confirmation of all of our fears regarding the park, Kensington, and the State Government's pro-car direction for solving Melbourne's transport problems. This one, particularly, is of great concern "That the private sector "had no appetite" for investment in public transport and that this would have to be done by Government.  The private sector would invest in roads and would have a strong influence over road alignment and access. "

Here are some highlights of the email :

On 25 June our local member Bronwyn Pike invited executive members Richard Reilly (Chair), David Ettershank (Secretary) and Tony Dare (Treasurer) to a meeting at Parliament House to discuss the Eddington Report and the potential impact of its recommendations. 

The meeting was also attended by the Minister for Roads, Tim Pallas who is probably the Minister most responsible for the carriage of the Eddington recommendations.

The discussion extended for over an hour and a half ...

Tim Pallas advised that

*  The Government retains an open mind on the Eddington Report and that in fact "things have moved on" in many areas (such as petrol prices and public transport utilisation) since the Report was commissioned.

*  That Bronwyn has expressed her concerns strongly within government but that for her to do so publicly would be a breach of Cabinet solidarity and reduce her capacity for advocacy.

*  That after submissions on the Report close (15 July) an Issues Paper will be produced for public discussion and representatives of business and the community will be invited to a "roundtable" meeting to discuss the paper in August.

*  Concurrently, the Government is commissioning a number of wider studies to assist in an overall traffic and transport plan for Melbourne (however these will not be subject to release to the public).

*  That he personally believed the current dependence on the Westgate Bridge is unsustainable and that an alternate road route had to be developed. 

*  That it was not possible to construct major infrastructure without impacts, and that some had to be tolerated for the wider good.  However, he also indicated that if the tollway did extend through JJ Holland Park, the Government would be vigilant to minimise any negative impact.

*  That the private sector "had no appetite" for investment in public transport and that this would have to be done by Government.  The private sector would invest in roads and would have a strong influence over road alignment and access.

*  That the Government would decide its position on implementation by the end of the year.

So what does this all mean?

At the end of the meeting we formed a number of views about the meeting and the way forward:

*  Our fears about

The use of JJ Holland Park as a 'staging point' and construction site.

A possible permanent 'open cut' through the Park.

An interchange at Kensington-Dynon Road allowing traffic into Kensington.

An elevated truck link across Newell Wetlands.

Vent stacks and related environmental degradation.

are entirely well founded.

*  Formal public consultation will end on July 15^th.  After that there is only the "roundtable discussion" in August and we will not see a preferred government proposal (including route) until December.

*  Once Government announces its preferred position there will be an extended period while they line up constructors, financiers and the like. This is the first opportunity the community will have to enter the debate in the context of a concrete proposal and no consultation with the community is proposed.

This could be long battle so we need to be prepared.

Actions to take

Please  get your submissions in to eastwestyoursay@doi.vic.gov.au by 15 July.

Also, to your local Member of State Parliament:  bronwyn.pike@parliament.vic.gov.au

And to your local Member of Federal Parliament:  Lindsay.Tanner.MP@aph.gov.au

If you wish to respond to this email, feel free to contact us at info@kensingtonassociation.org.au or better still, attend our regular general meetings of members on the first Monday of every month, 7.30 pm at the Holy Rosary Primary School in Gower Street. (Next meeting July 7) 

...just around the streets near us, and took a few pix.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/26670541@N07/show/

...as shown on the TV news.  (Channels 2, 9 and some of 7 until my battery ran out).

You can see Nai and VV towards the end of the ch 2 footage).

And here's some pix.

Famous

It's had over 400 views, and I've received a few letters back from the politicians I sent it to.  It's also had a few supportive comments posted on YouTube.

There a huge public meeting scheduled for 2pm this Saturday at Kensington Pool (well.. the hall in the Community Centre in which the pool resides).  It's entitled "DEFEND KENSINGTON" and has been set up by the Kensington Association.  So, I've been out sticking up nice posters (colour ones, printed by KA) and Nai and I will be handing out flyers at the train station on Thursday.  Oh... and I have chalk on my hands again - there's a few footpath scrawls about the streets ;)

... and this is the contentious section, that seems to contradict the 'nice, brochure style' report where Eddington say show great the East-West Link will be for Melbourne.

Pg 75

As you can read, it says: "New overbridges would be required for the railway line, Childers Street and Dynon Road to cross this open 'slot'". This seems to indicate that instead of 'cut and cover' construction, it's more like 'cut and leave open'.

This graphic is also from the engineering report.  I think the line drawn is only indicative - however if you do look at it, it seems to go straight through the park.  I've zoomed in, so it's a little difficult to read.  The box says "SOUTH KENSINGTON TO MARIBYRNONG RIVER".  Then, just to the right of that, there's a little double-headed arrow thing.  Just below that - that green area is JJ Holland Park.  So, as you can see, the line goes straight through the guts of it.

From the report

If I try to follow a line through, as outlined above, it would look something like this.

Park tunnel

For one proposal, south of Childers Street and the railway line, it seems to go parallel to Kensington Road, through what is currently some light industrial factories, businesses and derelict buildings, before going up and over Dynon Road.

For the other, it will continue towards the river and link up with Ballarat Road.

I'm still reading, (OK... currently I'm working, so I'll be reading tonight) to get my own take on what is happening.

Or rather, on houses...

Standing room only

After receiving mailouts, seeing posters, receiving flyers, reading footpath scrawls and chatting to people like us, the community hall was full to hear Greg Barber MLC speak about the impending tunnel, what it would do to Kensington and what we can do about it.

The general consensus from various people and groups in the hall was to do the following :

1. Tell as many people about it as possible (I'm doing my best...)
2. Attend the Melbourne City Council Planning Meeting on Tuesday, June 3rd where this will be discussed
3. Write your own submission to the Department of Infrastructure, stating your stance and how you will be affected.

"Save our park"

People were most appreciative of Greg organising the meeting so we could get together as a group.  There will be another scheduled for a fortnight's time.  Some people have their own agendas, and some people disagree on a few of some other people's political views, however everyone was united on defeating the tunnel.

Holland Park faces serious disruption
Is there to be an 'open cutting' or 'slot'?

According to the Engineering Report, the deep drilled (that is, borrow horizontally like a mole) part of the tunnel starts at Hoddle Street at the Eastern Freeway and ends at Holland Park.  The geology then requires the remainder of the tunnel to be dug as a cuttingor trench.  Holland Park would be used as a 'staging area' during the deep tunneling phase.

What are the implications of this?

Short term:  A 'staging area' implies that for some years, large sections of the Park will need to be fenced off and used to store spoil from the excavation of a tunnel that is kilometers long, plus machinery, etc.; it implies years of noise, dirt and disruption.

Permanent:  The main Eddington Report, Investing in transport, East-West link needs assessment, says on p. 218 that the Park needs to be used as a staging point for deep tunneling during construction, then to be "fully restored at the end of construction". 

This is contradicted by the Engineering Report which says on p. 75:  "In the concept design, it has been assumed that generally this section would be in an open cutting with vertical retained sides as this provides an opportunity for the tunnel to daylight and would enhance the driver experience. New overbridges would be required for the railway line, Childers Street and Dynon Road to cross this open ‘slot’."  This implies that part of the open 'slot' would be in Holland Park permanently. 

Department of Infrastucture officers have told us that p. 75 is badly expressed and that, in fact, the 'slot' would be covered over and the Park restored.  DOI intends to post a Question and Answer page shortly, at which time this issue may be resolved.