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Community Information Session #12 notes - Tintenbar to Ewingsdale
Name of meeting: / Community Information Session #12 (sessions 1 and 2)Construction update
Location of meeting: / Bangalow A & I Hall
Date: / 26 February 2013 / Time: / 12.00pm–1.20pm (20 attendees)
5.30pm–7.15pm (9 attendees)
Attendees: / Project staff:
Peter Borrelli, RMS Senior Project Manager (PB)
Nyssa Peak, RMS Communications and Community Engagement Officer
Bill Gardyne, Oxbow Consulting Environmental Representative
Susan Scott, Baulderstone Community Relations Manager (SS)
Chris McCallum, Baulderstone Environment Manager (CMc)
Dave Packer, Baulderstone Construction Manager (DP)
Matthew Saviana, Baulderstone Roadworks Manager (MS)
Vanessa Vardi, Baulderstone Community Relations Coordinator (VV)
Caitlin Lea, Baulderstone Graduate Community Relations Coordinator (CL)
Jacqueline Allen, Baulderstone Graduate Community Relations Coordinator (JA)
AGENDA ITEMS:
Item / Description1. / Welcome and introductions (SS)
2. / Construction update (MS, DP)
3. / Traffic management (MS, DP)
4. / Environmental management (CMc)
5. / Signposting update (PB)
6. / Ewingsdale interchange proposed design refinements (PB)
7. / Community information and involvement (SS)
8. / Questions
9. / Informal discussion with project team members.
NOTES:
Item / Topic / Personnel1 / Welcome (SS)
Community Relations Manager, Susan Scott, welcomed attendees, introduced the project team in attendance and outlined the agenda for the session. / SS
2 / Construction update (MS)
Matthew Saviana and Dave Packer provided an update on the construction activities to February 2013 and the look ahead for the following months.
Questions and comments – 26 February (session 1)
Question: Do you fill them from the top? [Skinners Creek piling]
Matthew Saviana explained that a ‘tremmie’ pipe is submerged into bored piled and the concrete is poured from the bottom up with the pipe always being below the top of the concrete so it naturally fills to the surface.
Question: Will there be crushing on the northern side of the portal tunnel?
Matthew Saviana advised that there would be rock crushing at two proposed locations shown previously in the presentation slides. The first would be about 200m north of the northern portal and the second just north of the existing speed camera. He explained that this is expected to occur later in the construction program and will be dependant upon the quality of the material (rock) encountered.
End of questions or comments for session 1
Questions and comments – 26 February (session 2)
Question: Why are the piles filled and poured, not ‘banged’ in like years ago?
David Packer explained that there are a number of different piling techniques; a pre-stressed concrete pile is the type that can be hammered in. These pre-stressed piles are not particularly suitable in this area due to the design requirements for the highway bridges and local ground conditions. These piles also have a high noise and vibration impact and can be disruptive to local communities.
Question: Are you going to replace the [Ewingsdale] noise wall on the other side?
Peter Borrelli advised that 280m of the existing transparent noise wall would be rebuilt.
Question: Will it be glass?
Peter Borrelli advised that the noise wall will not be made from glass but from a transparent polycarbonate resin, similar to the Banora Point and Brunswick Heads noise walls. This material is much stronger than glass and more resilient to vandalism.
Question: What is the difference between a bridge and an arch?
David Packer explained that arches act as an under passage, where local traffic can drive under the highway.
Peter Borrelli explained that essentially the only difference between the two was the shape. The arch is 5-7m in height.
Comment: That’s nearly 20m below the highway.
Peter Borrelli advised that at Minor Creek, there are two definite carriageways; at the old fish farm at Knockrow there is a much wider embankment. He explained that three separate bridge structures would be required as well as building a passageway for animals to come back up through the median.
Question: At the old fish farm how much is fill and how much is arch?
Peter Borrelli advised that approximately 80% was fill and 20% arch.
Question: What happens to the fauna on the alignment?
Chris McCallum advised that an ecologist relocates any fauna found on the alignment (generally snakes), although a koala has been observed on the north side of St Helena Road. BPL hasn’t encountered many larger fauna species, such as wallabies, to date. Chris advised that prior to the upgraded highway opening, a permanent fauna fence will be constructed at key locations to prevent fauna from getting onto the highway.
Question: So because of construction you don’t get much fauna?
Chris McCallum advised that generally, there has not been a lot of fauna sighted to date. As mentioned, one koala was spotted on the northern side of St Helena Road. The koala ‘moved on’ after approximately one week. He explained that these situations are carefully monitored by the environmental team and the project ecologist.
David Packer explained that extensive surveys are done before work commences in any area. Habitat trees are monitored before trees are removed; adjacent trees are removed first and then the habitat trees left for two days to encourage any potential habitants to move on. He explained that work stops immediately if any fauna is found and the project ecologist is called to inspect and assist.
Chris McCallum advised that a platypus had been spotted moving through some of the waterways on the construction site. The ecologist surveyed the area, and advised the project team to allow the platypus to keep doing what was doing and to let it find it’s own way.
David Packer also explained that BPL has fish ecologists on site in sensitive areas to assist with the various fish species which are encountered on site when we are working in waterways.
Comment: In regard to rain water control along the highway, where it goes through our old farm, it looks like you need two weeks of fine weather to do any work there.
David Packer explained that the project team will not just go in and dig up the drain, but will work through a series of erosion and sedimentation control plans to ensure the works are undertaken in a well planned and environmentally safe manner. Two basins will be constructed in that area. David explained that clearing is conducted only in those areas where a basin is constructed to ensure as much dirty water run off from the works can be captured and treated before leaving the site.
Comment: It looks like red soil just all the way down the hill.
David Packer explained that it is extremely important that sediment does not leave the site. He advised that a soil conservationist has prepared extensive erosion and sediment plans for the project.
Comment: You’ve worked really hard with all the geo-fab. I’ve seen people up there and I felt sorry for them with all this terrible weather.
Question. The sediment ponds that are full of water, do you have to pump them out?
David Packer advised that the sediment basins are treated with gypsum, which acts as a flocculent to settle the sediment. The water is tested against approved water quality criteria and the pH is adjusted, accordingly. He explained that it takes approximately 2 - 3 days of processing and testing before the water can be discharged. Once the water quality levels have reached the approved limits, the environmental teams issue a de-watering permit to allow the basins to be emptied. The biggest erosion and sediment basin on the project is six million litres. Three full-time teams manage flocculent / basin control. David also explained that sediment basins generally utilise a low flow system rather than pumps – pumps are used where it is necessary to empty the basins faster.
Question: What was the probability of having two large rain events in that period of time?
David Packer explained that BPL expected it to be wet. He explained that warnings for Australia Day were received in plenty of time to prepare the site in advance. The issue at the moment is that any rainfall that is received will go straight to the basin as everything is so saturated. Erosion and sediment controls are in place to slow down the water.
End of questions or comments for session 2 / MS, DP
3 / Traffic management (MS)
Matthew Saviana and Dave Packer provided a traffic summary for:
· Traffic changes at Ewingsdale;
· Broken Head Road tie in; and
· Construction gates.
Questions and comments — 26 February (session 1)
Question: Over the Christmas break there were two fatalities on the existing highway where the speed limit changes from 60km to 80km then to 90km around the St Helena Hill. I just wonder if the speed limit had been 10km lower do you think that would have avoided the fatalities?
Peter Borrelli explained that there is not a simple answer to the question and that there could have been many causes to the accident. While some people want lower speed limits, others want higher. There is a general philosophy that an 80km speed limit would be adopted through the construction work zone. Most of the construction in this area is happening away from the existing highway. He explained that there have been representations to this argument, but there are equal representations that the speed limits should be 90k or higher. This is particularly also the case where we have over taking lanes, e.g. if a truck is doing 80km per hour a driver overtaking would need to be travelling between 90 to 100km an hour to overtake so they could potentially be creating a bigger problem [speeding]. There has not been a decision made to change the speed limit from 80km at this stage, though the situation is being monitored.
End of questions or comments for session 1
No questions or comments for session 2 / MS, DP
4 / Environmental update
Chris McCallum provided an environmental update focusing on air quality. He discussed project parameters for air quality and dust mitigation methods.
Questions and comments – 26 February (session 1)
Comment: I don’t think that that is doing a good enough job. Our biggest concern on my street is the trucks coming in and out all day, every day. When the trees are cleared it will be unbearable.
Chris McCallum advised that air quality is an ongoing issue that must be monitored and managed during construction activities to comply with approved criteria.
Comment: My husband is in a wheel chair and he sits and watches the trucks coming out of the compound (gate 17). The faster the trucks go the more they churn the ground up. He has watched and monitored it and even videoed it.
Chris McCallum advised that he would take the comment on notice and get back to her.
Question: What’s going to happen once all those trees are taken away? I can’t leave the door open because it’s too noisy and dusty so I have to have the air conditioning on.
Chris McCallum advised that construction noise and dust is monitored and management of these issues are a priority. He advised that if the resident wished to discuss any concerns in respect to Clover Hill in detail, to please contact the toll-free number to arrange a meeting.
Bill Gardyne the project Environmental Representative advised that one of his particular areas of expertise is soil. He explained that the soils in this area are some of the most difficult. When the soil gets wet it becomes extremely slippery; and within a short time later the soil can be dry and dusty again. The project team is looking at whether there is anything they can do from a chemical perspective to change the way the soil is behaving. He also explained that very experienced soil scientists are looking into adding gypsum or lime to change the composition.
Question: Well, in the meantime how can I be compensated? I want my windows washed and the house water blasted regularly.
Peter Borrelli advised that measures were being taken to monitor and mitigate the problem.
Comment: I’m not pleased at all. Working from home is becoming increasingly difficult. I can’t open the windows or the doors because it’s too noisy and I can’t take phone calls.
Peter Borrelli advised that he could have a discussion with the resident after the meeting and monitoring could be specifically conducted at their residence. Peter explained that if there are any exceedences, the project team will look at what can be done to mitigate the effects.
Mathew Saviana explained that BPL has been working with RMS to come up with ways to limit the construction impacts at Clover Hill.
Susan Scott explained that there would be a meeting with residents of Clover Hill to talk as a group and discuss mitigation measures.
Comment: It’s interesting that the previous gentleman [Bill Gardyne] was not aware of how difficult it would be to build the highway on this red soil. It should have been built on the cane fields. This should have been taken into account.
There are an excessive number of Baulderstone utes in town all the time; they are dusty and take up car parks. I saw one recently take out a rubbish bin and he didn’t even get out of the car; now the town is without that bin. There are also a lot of deliveries coming through Bangalow – they are creating dust and noise in the town.
The other issue is the speed and radar system near the bowling club. We bowl there on Wednesday afternoons. It is interesting to see that 80% of vehicles are travelling over the speed limit and they are often white utes with numbers on them. If we could see some reduction in speed, that would reduce dust as well.
Matthew Saviana explained that although there are a lot of extra vehicles parking in Bangalow, the project team also brings a lot of extra money to the town. He explained that BPL has requested the local police set up a speed camera to book people as there is only so much BPL can do to stop vehicles from speeding.
Matt explained that the highest speed levels are recorded on Sundays when the project site is not working.