Melbourne 'metro', public 'consultation'.

Melbourne / Victoria Transport Discussion

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Roderick Smith
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Re: Melbourne 'metro'

Post by Roderick Smith »

Windsor Castle oak saved from the chop will form centrepiece of new Melbourne Metro tunnel park.
Herald Sun July 18, 2017.
A NEW community park centred on a historic tree worth $100,000 will be created in Albert Rd Reserve as part of the $11 billion Melbourne Metro project.
The reserve, located off St Kilda Rd, will be upgraded to create 4500sq m of new public space when the project is finished in 2026.
The new park, which will have its own entrance to Domain station, will provide a link between some of Melbourne’s most popular parks — Albert Park, the Shrine of Remembrance grounds, and the Royal Botanic Gardens.
The historic Windsor oak, which was planted in 1939 from acorns taken from England’s Windsor Castle, was originally set for the chop as part of construction of the new underground station.
The state government says it will now be retained along with most of the existing elms within the reserve.
This historic Windsor Oak tree at Albert Road Reserve will be saved as part of the project. Picture: Chris Eastman
An artist impression of the new Domain Station.
Port Phillip Mayor Bernadene Voss said she was happy with the decision.
“As part of council’s strategy to minimise tree loss on St Kilda Rd, we strongly advocated to keep the cherished Windsor oak where it is and applaud this decision to retain it,” Cr Voss said.
“While the tree’s retention and the proposed community park are positive step, we are also seeking a Tree Protection Plan to be prepared in consultation with council to protect the natural environment during works.”
New native species will also be planted to increase the number of trees.
Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan said the new station, which will feature a floating timber canopy, would use carefully selected materials to reflect the surrounding parkland and Shrine.
“We’re designing the Metro Tunnel for both passengers and how it will fit into the Melbourne landscape,” she said.
“The Metro Tunnel will change Melbourne forever with a world class design that will see new open space, terraced seating and sweeping arches.”
An artist impression of inside the new Domain Station.
The new Domain Station will be built using materials such as bluestone, granite and timber to reflect the surrounding parkland and the Shrine of Remembrance.
A feature skylight will allow natural light to flood into the station concourse and pedestrian underpass, which will include a number of retail outlets and public art installations.
There will now be four station entrances, one more than the original design.
Two entrances will be positioned at the new 2300 sqm train/tram super stop on St Kilda Rd.
The other two entrances will be located in the Shrine of Remembrance grounds and at Albert Rd Reserve.
The station will be used by nearly 40,000 people each day in 2031, making it busier than Flagstaff Station in 2017.
More than half of those people will use the new train-tram interchange.
The completed Metro Tunnel will travel from the new underground station at the southern end of Swanston St under the Yarra River, CityLink, Domain parklands and St Kilda Rd before arriving at Domain.
It will then curve towards Toorak Rd before emerging at South Yarra and joining the existing Cranbourne/Pakenham line.
CoPP and MMRA have taken cuttings from the Windsor Oak as further precaution against any potential damage and for growing into saplings.
•Melbourne Metro forks out for free coffees
•St Kilda Rd trees may not return for decades
•Walkway to link station to university
•‘No benefit’ from new South Yarra station
•Tunnel ‘must leave legacy for city’
DEGRAVES ST UNDERPASS TO BE OVERHAULED TO CONNECT CBD SOUTH AND FLINDERS ST STATIONS
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victor ... d4c18a1e1a
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EastsideRandomiser
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Re: Melbourne 'metro'

Post by EastsideRandomiser »

Roderick Smith wrote:The signalling is a sham: more spin and lies from PTV/tunnelauthority fed to the sock-puppet minister.
Melbourne has had 2 min headways for decades, but doesn't run them at that. It can't even run 2.5 min on the tunnel routes signalled for that. In an earlier spin release it claimed that the new tunnel could take only 23 tph, preventing airport trains from using it. 23 is a useless figure for even-interval timetables.
Whatever, Cranbourne can run only 20 min, Pakenham and Sunbury perhaps 10 by slowing VLine to match, or introducing more overtakes.

Roderick.

July 18 2017 Bombardier wins $1b contract to fit Metro Tunnel with high-capacity signalling
A $1 billion contract to install high-tech railway signalling that could enable trains in Melbourne to run as little as two minutes apart has been awarded to a consortium that includes Bombardier.
The high-capacity signalling technology will be installed on the Pakenham/Cranbourne and Sunbury lines, two of the city's busiest railway corridors, which are due to be connected by the $11 billion Metro rail tunnel by 2026.
Metro Tunnel's signalling could mean faster travel.
High-tech railway signalling in the Metro Tunnel could allow trains to run as little as two minutes apart, according to Metro Rail. Vision courtesy: Metro Rail Authority
Canadian-based transport giant Bombardier has a factory in Dandenong and is more renowned in Victoria for manufacturing E-Class trams and V/Line VLocity carriages.
High-capacity signalling is a feature of many railways around the world but not in Australia.
The Metro rail tunnel will be fitted with high-capacity signalling, in an Australian first. Photo: Daniel Pockett .
A $131 million trial of the technology will be done on part of the South Morang line before it is used for real between Dandenong and Watergardens.
Trials had previously been mooted for the Sandringham and Cranbourne lines.
Bombardier, which teamed with CPB Contractors to win the tender, previously won a contract to install similar technology in the London Underground in 2011, but the contract was later cancelled when it became clear that the company could not deliver on its commitment.
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Bombardier and CPB Contractors won the bid ahead of a consortium that included John Holland, UGL and Siemens. Siemens employs about 200 signalling engineers at its headquarters in Bayswater, perhaps the largest such workforce in Australia.
The Andrews government said high-capacity signalling allows trains to safely run closer together, meaning they can run more often.
Premier Daniel Andrews said the advanced technology will enable trains to run every two to three minutes, creating an "international style, turn-up-and-go system" for Victoria, the government said.
"For too long we've seen people talk about building a better public transport system but then do nothing about it," he said.
The signalling will operate with 65 next-generation trains currently being built in Newport, which will initially run exclusively on the Cranbourne/Pakenham lines.
New control centres will be built in Dandenong and Sunshine.
Jacinta Allan, the Minister for Public Transport, said fitting the new signalling technology to Melbourne's existing rail lines would be complex.
"This is the first time in Australia that high-capacity signalling, the most modern type of technology, is going to be fitted out in the existing train network, which makes it an even more complex task above the work that needs to be done," Ms Allan said.
The $1 billion contract for the rail systems alliance package of works will create more than 5000 jobs, Mr Andrews said.
It follows the government's announcement on the weekend that a consortium led by Lendlease had won the $6 billion contract to construct the Metro Rail project's nine-kilometre twin rail tunnels and five underground stations.
More Articles:
Desal plant could be moved to full capacity .
Metro tunnel: Consortium named for $11 billion rail project .
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/bomba ... xd9ok.html
IMHO Melbourne is overdue for a proper ATP system as running 2 minute headway with only train stops and signal overlaps protecting each train from each other isn't a great idea.
Resignalling with shorter block lengths is also expensive as well...
Roderick Smith
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Re: Melbourne 'metro'

Post by Roderick Smith »

Running 2 min headways with track circuits and train stops has worked in Melbourne for 80 years on at least three routes, but wasn't fitted to the loop (more Liberal pennypinching at the time). Advanced signalling is coming: nice, but not essential, and yet again splitting the system into incompatible bits.

Roderick.

Metro Tunnel project to create thousands more jobs than expected.
Herald Sun July 23, 2017.
•New park to be created around $100k tree •New underground CBD station revealed •Melbourne Metro forks out for free coffees •Walkway to link station to university THE Melbourne Metro Rail Tunnel will create 2000 more jobs than expected, Premier Daniel Andrews has declared.
About 7000 people are expected to work on the $11 billion rail tunnel, which is due for completion in 2026.
Visiting Spotswood’s rail centre this morning, Premier Daniel Andrews also revealed more than 88 per cent of the material used on the project will be sourced locally in a “fantastic local content outcome”.
Early works on the Metro Tunnel have already begun and major construction will kick off next year.
Three of the four major contracts have already been awarded or a preferred bidder has been chosen and expressions of interest will this week be out for the last package of work.
A new pre-cast factory will also be established in Melbourne’s west, which the government said would ensure more Victorians could benefit from the jobs created, including ex-automotive workers from Ballarat and Geelong.
An artists' impression of how Melbourne Metro station CBD South would look like.
Mr Andrews said the increase in jobs on the project — which was originally estimated to create at least 5000 — would not increase the total cost of $11 billion.
“This is the biggest public transport project our state has ever seen and one of the biggest infrastructure projects any where across our nation,” Mr Andrews said.
“It’s a big project in terms of budget, it’s a big project in terms of the disruption it will cause, it’s a big project in terms of the benefits it will deliver for the travelling public for many decades to come.
“The other way to measure this project is the number of jobs it is going to create and has already started to create – there is already 1000 people working on this important Metro Tunnel project.”
Mr Andrews did not rule another big major rail project announcement after next year’s election, saying: “I’m all about delivering on the commitments I make, and if we exceed those, we do a bit of that as well.”
Member for Footscray Marsha Thomson said: “The Metro Tunnel will give hundreds of young Victorians and people re-skilling a start in their new career, giving them the skills and experience they need.
“It’s a massive win for jobs and passengers in Melbourne’s west, and across the state.”
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victor ... 03cd27c86b
Roderick Smith
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Re: Melbourne 'metro' - Degraves St as a link

Post by Roderick Smith »

This is a very circuitous link.

Roderick B Smith

Melbourne tunnel, Degraves St underpass to be overhauled.
Herald Sun July 16, 2017.
THE dingy Degraves St underpass will be overhauled as part of a system of new underground walkways to connect Flinders St station with the new CBD South station.
It means commuters will be able to avoid traffic in Swanston St and Flinders St when changing trains to and from the tunnel.
A new artist’s impression of CBD South reveals how the station would work under City Square, with two street-level entrances for easy access, including from Flinders Lane.
An exclusive look at an artist's impression of CBD South station, to be built under City Square.
Premier Daniel Andrews stood in the City Square construction site on Sunday to announce the construction giant that lost the East West Link project had been handed a $6b package of work to build the tunnel.
Lendlease led the winning consortium, which will build the twin 9km tunnels and five new underground stations.
The competitive tender process resulted in several design improvements to the Metro Tunnel, including at the CBD North station under Swanston St between La Trobe St and Franklin St.
One entrance will now be stationed on La Trobe St opposite Melbourne Central to reduce congestion around Swanston St.
The Franklin St entrance will include public open space featuring terraced seating and a timber canopy, designed to protect commuters from the weather while also providing views of the Melbourne City Baths.
Work on the project has already started and Mr Andrews said major construction on the tunnels and stations would begin early next year.
The winning consortium includes John Holland, Bouygues Construction and Capella Capital.
The rest of the project’s $11 billion price tag covers the tunnel entrances, other station upgrades and signalling changes.
More than 5000 jobs are expected to be created by the tunnel project and the government has mandated 85 per cent local content.
Mr Andrews said the government was “building the turn-up-and-go train system Victoria has been waiting for”. Construction is due for completion in 2026.
LENDLEASE-LED CONSORTIUM WINS $6 BILLION TUNNEL PACKAGE.
•Melbourne Metro forks out for free coffees.
•St Kilda Rd trees may not return for decades.
•Walkway to link station to university.
•‘No benefit’ from new South Yarra station.
•Tunnel ‘must leave legacy for city’.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victor ... 10b525ff0c
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EastsideRandomiser
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Re: Melbourne 'metro'

Post by EastsideRandomiser »

Talk about incompatible bits already... *me looks at Xtrapolis and Siemens*

I ponder why Thameslink, Crossrail or even less dense new lines like Malmö Citytunneln or Stockholm Citybanan has ATP fitted to it.... There's more than just capacity to ATP :)
Liamena
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Re: Melbourne 'metro'

Post by Liamena »

"Assuming passengers travelling on the loop do interchange at Flinders Street. Here is how their journey will proceed. They will disembark at one of the platforms at Flinders Street. Travel up to street level, walk over to Degraves Street underpass, travel back down to below the street, walk the better part of 250 to 300m to get to CBD South, and then down at least 2 sets of escalators to get to the other platform. In total they will cover nearly 500m to 600m to interchange between train services. Do you think they will do that or continue to do what they currently do and catch a tram in Swanston Street after getting off the first set of escalators?"
This is a very good point.

The plans for Sydney have an equally clueless lack of consideration for pedestrian flow between services.
Roderick Smith
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Re: Tunnel - finance

Post by Roderick Smith »

170718Tu Melbourne 'Herald Sun' - tunnel finance.

Roderick
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Roderick Smith
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Re: Melbourne 'metro', Arden station

Post by Roderick Smith »

This building was the former VR Laurens St printing depot: timetables, circulars, VR News letter: the lot. IIRC it did convert from letterpress to offset around the 1970s. Then everything was outsourced.
Can you see the modern architecture as reflecting a rich industrial heritage? Perhaps only in the architect's eyes?

Roderick.
August 21 2017 Wreckers to move on historic Laurens Hall as rail works see us shed our heritage.
From the outside it looks like a dilapidated tin shed, partly obscured by a chain-wire fence and a padlocked gate bearing the unambiguous message "Demolition work in progress, keep out".
The building's unremarkable exterior gives no hint to what can be found inside: a thing of architectural beauty, with 20-foot high ceilings, scuffed concrete floors and wall-to-wall timber shelving, one of few relics of North Melbourne's rich industrial heritage that remains intact.
More videos Melbourne Metro: animated aerial overview Follow the planned Sunbury Line via Arden, the CBD and across the river to South Yarra. (Vision supplied by Victoria State Government) With the trees stripped away and the area surrounding it cleared as Metro Tunnel works resumed last week, its surprising size and architectural details, including a saw-tooth roof, were laid bare.
And any day now it will be gone.
It is unclear whether it will be demolished, relocated or dismantled, but what is certain is that it will soon make way for a new station as part of the $11 billion Metro Metro Rail Project project.
The building, known as Laurens Hall, sits at the Arden Street end of Laurens Street, an industrial pocket of Melbourne with a rapidly increasing residential mix.
From when it was built in abut 1890 until 1924 it was home to Victorian Railways' carpentry workshop, and later VR's printing workshop.
It is one of several structures in the Railways Reserve Precinct, owned by rail infrastructure authority VicTrack, to be removed for the building of the new Arden Station.
Laurens Hall might not look much from the outside, but inside it's something special. Photo: Joe Armao In a submission to the project in 2016, the National Trust requested the building be retained if possible, "or if removal is required, relocation ... explored".
It also urged project managers to conduct archival recording before any demolition, while noting that even that "would not adequately compensate for the loss of this complex".
The interior of Laurens Hall, then known as the Victorian Railways' Arden Street North Melbourne Printing Works, date unknown. Photo: Courtesy Public Record Office Victoria In recent years Mr Scott also turned the building, which he leased from VicTrack, into a function venue that hosted events including a Committee for Melbourne dinner and the 2016 launch of the AFL Women's League, as well as many weddings.
Laurens Hall is set to be removed to make way for the new Arden Station as part of the Melbourne Metro Rail Project. Photo: Joe Armao That ended in March, when he closed his business and moved out, along with his much-loved timbers, after receiving more than 18 months notice that it would be knocked down.
Mr Scott's lease had expired and he was renting the building on a month-to-month basis, which ended when works began to clear part of Laurens Street to make way for Arden Station.
A concept image of the exterior of the new Arden Station on Laurens Street. Photo: Supplied He is adamant, though, that he's not a victim of development.
"It's been a privilege for me to have the use of that space," Mr Scott said.
The building, with its distinctive saw-toothed roof, was built in about 1890. Photo: Joe Armao "It was a great asset to Melbourne culture I thought, and a lot of people agreed."
In recent weeks word had spread among neighbours and workers that the building would be moved rather than demolished. But that now seems unlikely.
Asked about the building's future, a Melbourne Metro Rail Authority spokesman said: "MMRA is working with our preferred contractor the Cross Yarra Partnership to determine if elements of the structure can be re-used within the station precinct.
"We're working with the Cross Yarra Partnership on final designs for the five new Metro Tunnel stations including Arden, where the area's rich industrial character will be reflected in the station design and layout."
graphic.
Related Articles:
Developer and political donor makes rail line pitch .
The curious haste of the Metro project .
Metro's building a brave new world, underground .
Melbourne Metro expected to create 7000 jobs .
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/wreck ... xg8r3.html
Roderick Smith
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Re: Melbourne 'metro', naming competition.

Post by Roderick Smith »

The naming competition diverts attention from the design deficiencies: the complete incompatibility with the rest of the system, the lack of a station at South Yarra, and the signalling for only 23 tph.
Roderick.

Pranksters get in on the fun as thousands suggest names for new Melbourne train stations.
Herald Sun Sun.3.9.17
•Metro tunnel digging underway
•Metro cops maximum fine for rail shutdown •Public’s chance to name new stations PRANKSTERS are facing off with traditionalists in an ­attempt to derail efforts to name five new Melbourne train stations.
Among the suggestions for the underground train stations built as part of the $11 billion Melbourne Metro rail project are Station McStationface and Arden McArdenface.
The lighthearted suggestions follow a UK poll last year to name a polar research ship that saw the name Boaty McBoatface go viral.
The five Melbourne Metro naming spots up for grabs are at Arden in North Melbourne, Parkville, CBD North, CBD South, and Domain.
The new Arden Station will kickstart the area’s transformation from an industrial precinct to a thriving new suburb on the edge of the CBD.
Melbourne Metro Rail Authority spokesman Reid Sexton said Victorians have embraced the chance to make a name for themselves with 15,000 suggestions to date.
“Among the nominations are traditional Aboriginal names, prominent Victorians and, as you’d expect, a few for Station McStationface,” Mr Sexton said.
“But it wouldn’t be a Melbourne naming competition without footy references, and so far dozens of Kangaroos fans are barracking for the station at Arden to be named Shinboner.”
Each station has received about 3000 suggestions so far.
Names reflecting ­station locations of Arden, Parkville and Domain have been popular. City landmarks such as Federation Square, St Paul’s (Cathedral) and the State Library feature strongly in suggestions for the two CBD stations.
Many people are keen to recognise Victoria’s Aboriginal heritage with names such as Dja Dja Wurrung (Parkville) and Boon Wurrung (Domain) put forward.
Among the suggestions inspired by historical Victorians are Hotham (Arden) after former Victorian Governor Sir Charles Hotham and La Trobe (CBD North) after the state’s first lieutenant governor Charles La Trobe.
People whose suggestion is chosen as one of the final station names will go into a draw to win a behind-the-scenes tour of the Metro tunnel worksites, as well as a sneak peak of “their” station before it opens.
But they will need to be patient, with the project not due for completion until 2026.
People have until October 22 to submit their suggestions at metrotunnel.vic.gov.au.
An advisory panel will submit a shortlist of names to the State Government.
THE EARLY SUGGESTIONS
ARDEN
* Arden (includes Arden St and Arden Gardens)
* Station McStationface/Arden McArdenface
* Hotham
* Shinboner
* North Melbourne
PARKVILLE
* Parkville
* University
* Station McStationface
* Royal Park
* Dja Dja Wurrung
CBD NORTH
* State Library
* La Trobe
* Melbourne Central
* RMIT
* CBD North
CBD SOUTH
* Flinders St
* Federation Square
* City Square
* CBD South
* St Paul’s
DOMAIN
* Domain
* Shrine
* ANZAC
* Botanic
* Boon Wurrung
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victor ... b876ef72b6
Roderick Smith
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Re: Melbourne 'metro', public 'consultation'.

Post by Roderick Smith »

October 25 2017 Barak, Kirner and Chloe firm in station naming race, no joy for Dusty or Winterfell.
Victorian commuters hoping to disembark at Dustin Martin have had their hopes dashed with the emergence of a sensible list of frontrunners after the public vote to name Melbourne's newest railway stations.
The government received 50,000 entries over eight weeks to name the $11 billion Metro Tunnel's five new stops – currently known as Parkville, Arden, CBD South, CBD North and Domain – before voting closed on Sunday.
A concept image of one of the new Metro Rail stations. Photo: Supplied .
To the disappointment of those who were hoping for Trainy McTrainface, the favoured names ignore the cultural zeitgeist and instead pay homage to notable local explorers, politicians and Indigenous leaders.
One of the most popular suggestions was for a station named after Victoria's first female premier, Joan Kirner, who died in 2015.
Former Victorian Premier Joan Kirner, who passed away in 2015, is a front runner in the naming of Melbourne's new Metro Tunnel stations. Photo: Scott McNaughton .
Australia's first female prime minister Julia Gillard also drew many nominations, but Victoria's naming rules state that places should not be named after people who are still alive.
Burke and Wills is a strong contender for the station at Parkville, not far from where explorers Robert O'Hara Burke and William John Wills began their ill-fated expedition in 1860.
At the southern end of Swanston Street, suggestions honouring key figures in the white settlement of Victoria, John Batman and John Pascoe Fawkner, as well as Aboriginal leader William Barak have been popular.
Others would like to see the station named after Chloe, the Parisian girl in the famous 1875 painting by Jules Joseph Lefebvre that hangs in the nearby Young & Jackson Hotel.
Emerald Hill, a historical name for South Melbourne, is a popular suggestion for the southernmost Metro Tunnel station, located under St Kilda Road.
Premier Daniel Andrews gets into the spirit of the Metro Tunnel public naming process. Photo: Instagram.
Victorians weren't the only people who wanted to have a say in the once-in-a-generation opportunity.
More than 200 people from 50 countries, including the United States, Iran, Myanmar and Colombia, also submitted suggestions.
Naturally a vote of this kind doesn't come without plenty of tongue-in-cheek submissions, including Vegemite and Shane Warne, and the Game of Thrones-inspired Winterfell, Stark and Tully.
graphic
The government has appointed a judging panel, with representatives of Aboriginal Victoria, Public Transport Users Association, Museums Victoria and the Youth Affairs Council to stop the vote from being hijacked.
Public Transport Users Association spokesman Daniel Bowen said it was important stations reflected their location, rather than be named after historical figures or celebrities.
"I think from a public transport user's perspective, it's really important to have names that help people navigate the city," he said.
"These stations will be with us for decades, hopefully centuries to come, and it is important that the names help people trying to navigate their way around Melbourne."
"What we don't want is another station name like Southern Cross, which is basically meaningless – it tells you nothing about where it is in the city."
It's understood the names will be selected by the end of the year.
"We have had an overwhelming response with an extraordinary 50,000 suggestions that reflects Victoria's diversity, history and cheeky sense of humour," Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan said.
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/barak ... z7rij.html
Roderick Smith
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Re: Melbourne 'metro', public 'consultation'.

Post by Roderick Smith »

From Tues.28.11.17 Metro Twitter.
Roderick.
You are invited to have your say on the design of the Metro Tunnel’s stations and surrounding precincts.
We are also seeking feedback on the next stage of the Metro Tunnel Early Works program and Heritage permits, by Fri.15.12.
- That makes a mockery of public consultation. Timelines way too limited.
http://metrotunnel.vic.gov.au/planning/have-your-say
Roderick Smith
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Re: Degraves St subway

Post by Roderick Smith »

Roderick

December 3 2017 Arty arcade to become ghost town because of the tunnel.
A much-loved underground arcade in Melbourne will soon become a ghost town to make way for the $11 billion Melbourne Metro Tunnel.
The Campbell Arcade beneath Degraves Street has been a refuge for arty types and tourists in Melbourne's CBD.
Melbourne's much-loved Campbell Arcade will soon become a ghost town to make way for the Melbourne Metro Tunnel. Photo: Darrian Traynor .
Owners of the arcade's indie stores have been told their leases will end in July 2019 to allow for the building of the twin nine kilometre tunnels.
A pedestrian underpass running through the arcade will link the new Town Hall station (previously named CBD South) and Flinders Street station.
Campbell Arcade's vintage street signage Photo: Darrian Traynor .
New Draft Development Plans for the Melbourne Metro's five underground stations reveal that sections of the heritage listed arcade are under threat, with one part of the arcade's eastern wall in line for demolition.
This would take out at least two stores, including A Touch of Paris - a hairdressing salon that has been operating in the arcade for 50 years.
Thomas Blachford, who co-manages Sticky Institute, a volunteer-run store that has been selling and publishing zines for 16 years, said the future of the shop is now "in limbo".
The plans released by the Melbourne Metro Rail Authority also reveal that new ticketing barriers may block off access to shops on the arcade's western side.
Campbell Arcade runs between Flinders St and Flinders Lane. Photo: Darrian Traynor .
A spokesman for the Authority said: "Cross Yarra Partnership will work with Heritage Victoria to obtain the relevant heritage permits ahead of starting works that affect Campbell Arcade."
Using the arcade as a pedestrian underpass would "lessen the disruption and impact to Flinders Street traffic and trams", the spokesman said.
But Tristan Davies, president of lobby group Melbourne Heritage Action, said the new station plans threaten to "destroy the arcade" which he described as an "intact example of 1940s architecture".
"It's similar to what happened with the Port Phillip Arcade ... that process was not exactly consultative."
The National Trust Board of Victoria has slammed the Authority's decision to give stakeholders just three weeks to respond to the station's new extensive plans.
"It's quite intentional," said the branch's chair, Kristin Stegley, who criticised plans to demolish heritage listed buildings for the sake of a new underground railway.
"Surely we can build a tunnel that won't trash our heritage."
The new plans offer a vision of how the new stations will fit with the city.
They reveal that 95 trees along St Kilda Road will now face the chop, down from 170 previously announced. It follows community outrage over the loss of the iconic elm trees.
The total number of trees set for removal along the tunnel route is now 770, down from more than 900.
By the time Melbourne Metro Tunnel is up and running in 2026, A'Beckett Street will have cars removed between Swanston and Stewart Streets, the plans show, and fitted out with seating areas, a basketball half court and a "social enterprise bicycle mechanic".
And Parkville Station's new pedestrian underpass, beneath Royal Parade, was flagged as a possible interchange for commuters using the next underground metro tunnel in the pipeline: Melbourne Metro 2.
The release of the plans coincides with calls for the station designs to match the architectural splendour seen in Dubai, Paris and Singapore.
Dr Phillip Roös has written design guidelines for the new stations, which reinforce principles of "biophilic design" - a technique that incorporates natural elements into buildings to improve health and wellbeing.
Where there is no capacity to include natural plants or light underground, Dr Roös calls for virtual reality "and similar illusory systems" such as an artificial sky and projected images of nature.
Transport infrastructure expert Chris Hale said despite major construction on the project starting next year, the plans still lacked crucial details.
It was still unclear why interchanges were not planned for South Yarra and North Melbourne (Arden), to save commuters travelling into the CBD to change lines, Dr Hale said.
Building the capacity to interchange with the Craigieburn and possibly the Upfield lines at the new station in Arden – a desolate industrial area set for significant urban renewal - would have maximised prospects for development, and benefited commuters from the west and north, he said.
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/arty- ... zx6k8.html
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