While most industries have been impacted by the Covid-19 partial lockdown, the construction industry, in particular, has been charging ahead as it is deemed an essential service.
Since the majority of people have been isolating at home, significant progress has been made on a number of projects, specifically the Queensland Government’s Cross River Rail.
According to the authority, strict containment protocols have also been initiated at each site to ensure the safety of workers and the maintenance of the Project’s momentum to support the Queensland economy.
At the Roma Street end of the colossal construction zone that spans 5.9 kilometres of underground tunneling, an old Transit Centre pedestrian overpass has been removed in 47 hours, allowing for the continued demolition of the Transit Centre buildings.
A new acoustic shed for construction of the underground rail and Northern Busway tunnels has been erected on-site which will act as a key portal entrance to the works below ground.
At Albert Street Station, demolition has been completed on both 96 Albert Street and the adjacent commercial buildings, with a pedestrian tunnel now linking Mary and Charlotte Streets along Albert Street.
At Woolloongabba, a new Priority Development Area (PDA) was declared which takes in all land within the former Woolloongabba PDA as well as land east of Main Street, including the Gabba.
The new PDA supports the planning and development of new open spaces, residential housing, commercial offices and retail which is expected to completely transform Woolloongabba.
The inclusion of the Gabba within the PDA allows for further concept planning for a possible station-to-stadium connection and forecourt plaza, which would make game-days easier and safer.
Early works on the Brisbane Metro have already commenced in South Brisbane to allow for the future construction of a new underground station.
A council spokesman said that South Brisbane works include relocating and constructing a new sewer pump station at Alexander Smith Place Park in partnership with Queensland Urban Utilities.
These works are expected to take about 12 months to complete, subject to weather and site conditions.
More early works in South Brisbane are expected to start in the coming months, including an upgrade to the Peel Street, Stanley Street and Grey Street intersection and works to relocate sewer infrastructure along Grey Street and Melbourne Street.
Additionally, preliminary works are occurring at School Road, Rochedale to prepare for future Metro depot construction that will continue throughout 2020.
In 2020, Council expects to receive an initial pilot Brisbane Metro vehicle to commence testing in local operating conditions.
Construction sites across the city also remain open and progressing as normal. Last week the Queensland Government relaxed heavy vehicle restrictions within the Queen’s Wharf Priority Development Area.
Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick said vehicles greater than 12.5 metres in length will now be able to enter and exit the Queen’s Wharf Brisbane PDA between 7:30am to 9:00am during the morning peak and 4pm and 6:30 pm during the afternoon peak.
“The Palaszczuk Government is looking at ways it can support the construction industry to ensure work continues during this difficult time,” Mr Dick said.
“The relaxation of the lockout periods for the Queen’s Wharf Brisbane project continues our commitment to driving economic development and support construction activity in a safe and efficient manner.
“In normal circumstances, the heavy vehicle lockout periods are an important way to manage peak period traffic in and out of the CBD. However, in these unprecedented times and with a significant reduction in CBD peak period traffic, I have lifted the heavy vehicle lockout period.”
Building cores of the main hotel and residential buildings are now becoming visible from the Riverside Expressway. The new riverfront promenade in front of the expressway has also progressed significantly over the last two months.
Meanwhile, early site preparation works have continued to enable the start of construction on the Neville Bonner Pedestrian Bridge
Contractor Fitzgerald has erected a temporary site works area along the South Bank forecourt in preparation for construction to commence.
I live next door to a construction site that starts from 6.30 in the morning and goes throughout the day – six days a week. While I am mandated to stay at home, the never-ending noise and dust infiltrates my work days, disturbs my meetings, forces me to keep all my windows tightly shut, and withdraw from all of my bedroom/work areas and work from my couch. This necessitates multiple visits to the chiropractor and physiotherapist to remedy the poor posture I inevitably adopt because I can’t work from my dedicated office space or use most of the areas of my home that I pay rent for. I get no compensation for loss of personal enjoyment of my property and I am forced to stay at home due to the stay at home restrictions. My health and wellbeing is suffering. I’m no fan of special status being given to construction workers.
You moved into the city, Get over it ????
Cry nimby
Just be thankful you have a job.
so are you blaming the construction or the corona virus for your situation. If not for the virus most of your day time would be spent not at home. The entire world is facing this predicament so it might be a bit unfair to expect compensation. Your posture issues can be resolved by changing your work /office set up, if that cannot be resolved maybe you could look at moving somewhere more suitable instead of paying for medical remediation Either way you have choices
Since you have a job… it may be best to get a small desk and a proper chair (other than your couch) to help your posture.