Scotch College

Email update to Parents - August 2007

Parents,

Transurban’s contractors commenced fencing and tree felling during the week commencing 13th August. The area they are occupying along the Gardiner’s Creek levee bank is isolated from the school by a chain mesh fence which intersects closely with Melville Oval. Tollway works at present are geared towards construction of a temporary roadway upon which plant and machinery can traverse to initiate piling work scheduled to occur over the September School holidays. This noisy work will not occur during Term Four and will not interfere with VCE or School examinations.

Recently we received advice from VicRoads that Transurban’s construction plans would require some access along Morrison Street, an issue that had not been proposed in earlier discussion. We now expect that some construction vehicles, operating under agreed protocols will travel to the western end of their site via Morrison Street whilst the piling work is undertaken. Concern has been expressed about the movement of construction plant & equipment across Glenferrie Road from site office and storage on HA Smith reserve. Transurban have assured us that pedestrian control will be undertaken to prevent pedestrians crossing the driveway at times of vehicle movement across the shared path. This will be managed by a dedicated traffic controller.

As forecast in earlier communication a significant number of trees, particularly River Red Gums have been sacrificed in order to widen the Tollway. Through the school’s negotiation and Transurban’s acquiescence to engineering re-design, a number of trees have been saved. Milled timber from these large River Red Gums will be retained by the School for use in furniture and other projects by Design Technology students.

The picture demonstrates the impact that tollway widening will have on the School’s Melville Oval. A further update will be available shortly.

Regards,

Ross Congleton
Bursar