Seaford Community Committee Forum

The issues with the process continue from the Drop-In Sessions, with the authority's staff being dismissive of residents who are opposed to elevated rail during their door knocking campaign.

I would like to note that if it is only the announced level crossings being removed, then in some cases elevated rail cannot be a considered design. This is because an elevated rail design requires a significant amount of space, which would see level crossings outside of those announced impacted. On the other hand, the cut and cover method requires less space to be implemented.

If the rail is elevated, I have been informed by experts that the foundations would be 4m deep, however on the contrary the cut and cover method could be employed to lower the rail by making a 6m cutting according to the LXRA's engineers. I believe it is important to address the misconception that the water table inhibits the available designs for consideration. It certainly exists and no one denies that, but it is a factor clearly engineers are prepared to work with.

Residents oppose multi-storey developments regularly and it should come as no surprise that an elevated design has generated the same response.

My question:
1.
Could you please tell me why Geotechnical Investigations are being performed within – or right next to – The Wetlands in Seaford?

There has been some discussion and speculation – see links below.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... 295&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/groups/NSRFL/p ... 121571124/

2.
Car parking spaces closure at Aspendale station - https://www.facebook.com/groups/NSRFL/p ... 668201136/

I would like to pass on the facts.

LXRA Reply:
I'm following up on your query regarding to the geo-technical investigations and car park closures at Aspendale, and apologise for the delay in getting back to you.

We’re undertaking geo-technical investigations at a number of locations, including at sites around the Seaford Wetlands to better understand the ground water flow and general ground conditions. You may have seen a few more around Edithvale and Bonbeach stations also.

With regards to the car park closures at Aspendale, this is another location where we are undertaking geo-technical investigations to get a better picture of what the conditions below ground are and how the ground water flows. We know having closures of any car park is inconvenient and will hope to have these works completed as soon as possible.

Although our project construction would not be at Aspendale or the Seaford Wetlands, drilling at these places helps us build a profile of the area.

Thank you again for your query, my phone number is below if you would like to discuss further anything in this email.

Kind regards

Advice received today (April 7) from the LXRA regarding upcoming service investigations in the Seaford area - from April 12:

I'm writing to let you know about upcoming service investigations in the Seaford area.

In preparation for the safe removal of the Seaford Road level crossing, the project team need to further investigate the location of underground services, including gas, water, telecommunications, electrical, and sewerage.

These works will occur (weather permitting) from Wednesday 12 April. We expect these works to take a number of weeks to complete.

What we are doing
· Investigating and recording the location of underground services
· Using suction trucks that use high pressure water to excavate holes in the ground, rather than digging holes
· Refilling the holes and reinstating the ground

Where are the works?
These works will occur within the rail corridor and on nearby roads, including:
· Seaford Road
· Railway Parade
· Fortescue Avenue
· Elsie Avenue

Day works
Works will only be undertaken between 9am and 4pm. Traffic management will be in place to keep road and footpath users safe. Detours will be in place to ensure people can get to where they need to safely, however please allow extra travel time.

What to expect
· There will be intermittent noise during these works generated by the suction trucks.
· There will be parking restrictions at some locations and lane and footpath closures during the works.