25 November 2010

Belconnen Mall construction

| beare84
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I am sick of the construction at Belconnen Mall.

I live in Waterside, an apartment block directly opposite the mall on the lake side.

Construction goes on through the night and it is extremely loud, sometimes even louder than the daytime construction. I have been unable to get a good nights sleep for 3 months, but last night it got even worse.

Does anyone know if this is illegal? I don’t think it’s fair that they can operate through the night and early hours of the morning so closely to a residential area (literally 50 metres from my bedroom).

Should I contact the police or a Government agency (if so which one?)?

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canberrafoodie5:18 pm 27 Nov 10

I agree the ziggies could be better but give them a chance they have only just opened. I say more fresh produce less over priced imported grocery. I think they will get into a pricing war with Coles and Woolworths, they have to do something, rock melons $6 at ziggies $3 at Coles Stone fruit $12 a ziggies $6 at Coles, Bananas $4 at Ziggies $3 a Woolies. I didn’t even check Aldi but if you shop around I reckon you could get some good bargains.

Has anyone else been to the latest section of the mall? It is supposed to be a fresh food section but it seems to be more about hair salons than fresh food. I went in on Thursday for the grand opening and was very disappointed. The new Aldi is a good inclusion and the Ziggys might be OK. It seems to me that the Ziggys in the mall is a lot more expensive than the ones at the markets. They had La Barre olive oil (local from yass) at $16 a 500ml bottle everywhere else it’s $12. Also all the fruit and veg prices seemed very expensive other than seedless water melon at 49c a kg, that is a bargain.

I wonder if they will get into a price war with coles and woolies, the new coles has a great fruit and veg section and it was a lot cheaper than Ziggys. But I guess there is a lot to be said for supporting the small local bloke.

There is also a sweets shop selling lollies for $29.50/kg, just watching people fill little bags is classic. when they get to the register and it costs the $23 for a small bag of lollies, the look on their faces is priceless.

screaming banshee8:38 pm 25 Nov 10

Unfortunately noise seems louder at night courtesy of less ambient noise and even though something might be annoying the decibel level is often insufficient for authorities to act upon.

Best short term solution would be to increase your ambient noise level, perhaps put a radio on in the loungeroom.

Amanda Hugankis2:26 pm 25 Nov 10

Noezis said :

https://www.contact.act.gov.au/app/answers/detail/a_id/61/~/noise-complaints

Also, get in contact with ACTPLA to see if the constuction company has permission to be working 24/7. I suspect if they are working through the night they do, however this can be disputed.

JTK, how about I come around to your place with my tools every night and work through the night for the next three months and build you a bridge, once it’s finished you can get over it.

I’ll come with you and I’ll do the unveiling!

Sleep deprivation can get more than wearing – it can really feck around with your mental health. All hours construction in a shared zone is unreasonable, all so Westfield can complete in record time and open up MORE stores for us to acquire more stuff in thus making their shareholders giddy with delight!

The person was looking for advice, not a smart-butt lecture replete with snore-worthy saracasm. If you can’t say anything nice …..

Patty25 said :

The 1st stage of the construction is due to complete by March 2011. The second stage should be around end of next year

Nope!

Estimated completion of this first stage of the project is November 2010, with all works completed by March 2011.

http://westfield.com.au/belconnen/news-and-events/we-are-building-a-better-belconnen-town-centre

Gungahlin Al12:44 pm 25 Nov 10

So easy to be a smartarse on here JTK, and give no regard for the possibility that the poster may be making a totally valid complaint.

And particularly given we all know how little regard is paid to nopise regs (most regs?) by certain players in the local construction industry.

Beare84: Living through the development of a new suburb, I can attest to the effectiveness of the abovementioned ACT Gov area at shutting down noise at illegal times on everything from individual house builds to government school construction.

The 1st stage of the construction is due to complete by March 2011. The second stage should be around end of next year

rabblerouser11:26 am 25 Nov 10

Agreed, keiji. Expected completion date for much of it is… now? Hopefully it will slow down now that the bus interchange etc have been built.

Painful though for you beare84. I’ve noticed a lot of people selling up in Belconnen. The timing may have something to do with the noise (though I’m sure, obviously, this wouldn’t be the only reason for making a big decision like that).

Keijidosha said :

Perhaps a little OT, but the blistering pace with which the mall extension has been built makes a complete mockery of the snail-paced taxpayer funded construction activities in the ACT.

Westfield have long been known for the “special” nature of their builders.

Perhaps a little OT, but the blistering pace with which the mall extension has been built makes a complete mockery of the snail-paced taxpayer funded construction activities in the ACT.

Canberra Grumpy10:57 am 25 Nov 10

So funny JTK everyone is laughing.

I live in the same apartment complex and two nights ago it became too much. Lately it has been 24 hours construction because the Mall is due to open this weekend and they need to meet this deadline.

However this is where to direct your complaint.

http://www.tams.act.gov.au/functions/contact_us

According to the The ACT Department of Municipal Services time restrictions apply to building work depending on the length and duration of the work:

Noise from work which takes less than two weeks to finish can only exceed the zone noise standard between: Monday to Saturday – 7 am – 8 pm
Sunday and public holidays – 8am – 8pm

Noise from work which takes longer than two weeks to finish can only exceed the zone noise standard between: Monday to Saturday – 7 am – 6 pm

The period of two weeks applies to the duration of the entire project not to the duration of separate stages of the project.

Goes right through, I don’t think it stops. 24/7 construction.

Thanks, I emailed environment.act.gov.au and Canberra Connect.

Environment Protection Regulations 2005, Schedule 2 – Building Activity (Noise) City and Town Centre Areas 6AM – 8PM 7 days.

https://www.contact.act.gov.au/app/answers/detail/a_id/61/~/noise-complaints

Also, get in contact with ACTPLA to see if the constuction company has permission to be working 24/7. I suspect if they are working through the night they do, however this can be disputed.

JTK, how about I come around to your place with my tools every night and work through the night for the next three months and build you a bridge, once it’s finished you can get over it.

If it helps, they’re not far away from finishing. Most of the new shops there open this weekend I think. They’re probably just flogging it to be ready in time.

So exactly what time at night is the construction still happening till?

Felix the Cat10:12 am 25 Nov 10

A bit harsh JTK, construction work 50m from most people’s houses late at night/early in the morning would be annoying to say the least.

I’m guessing it is probably impractical to make too much noise during the day when the shops are open. Maybe you could try contacting EPA about it.

RandomPoster10:11 am 25 Nov 10

You need to contact http://www.environment.act.gov.au/

They can deal with noise issues…

colourful sydney racing identity10:04 am 25 Nov 10

call canberra connect and they can send out someone to monitor the noise levels.

James-T-Kirk9:57 am 25 Nov 10

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Or – use my previous prescription – 1 PBS of concrete, taken with 1 glass of water three times a day!

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