6 August 2022

Wall collapse causes carpark evacuation in Phillip

| Kim Treasure
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Collapsed wall

The collapsed wall that caused today’s dramas. Photo: David Murtagh.

No-one was injured when a retaining wall collapsed on a construction site at the intersection of Melrose Drive and Launceston St, Phillip, this afternoon, 6 August.

The collapsed wall took part of a roadway with it and caused a multi-story carpark to be evacuated. A large exclusion zone was also put in place.

ACT Emergency Services were called to the incident just after 2:30 pm.

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Upon arrival firefighters found a retaining wall had collapsed. Police quickly closed off the area surrounding the pit and evacuated a nearby multi story carpark.

Collapsed wall

The collapse caused a carpark to be evacuated. Photo: David Murtagh.

Motorists are being asked to take extra care in the area.

Worksafe are believed to be on scene investigating.

Wet weather may have played a part in the collapse. After just six days, Canberra has received about 80mm of rain this month – almost double the average rainfall for August.

 

 

 

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Capital Retro10:45 am 09 Aug 22

Phew, for a moment I read the headline as “Wall Street collapse”.

The integrity of the Forum infrastructure has been one of the owners’ many concerns about the proposed 70 Allara Street Geocon development. They raised this matter several times during Purdon Planning consultations but were told all would be well because of Geocon’s construction and engineering expertise.

News yesterday of the collapse of the basement retaining wall infrastructure of a Geocon construction in Phillip has given owners great concern and doubt about these assurances. This is especially the case as it follows a similar 2018 occurrence on a Geocon building site in Tuggeranong. Both construction collapses were said to have affected adjacent properties and be because of heavy rain.

More frequent severe weather patterns are forecast to be the future norm. Forum owners are deeply concerned that Geocon’s construction and engineering expertise cannot prevent securing its basement construction and the Forum infrastructure.

Forum owners’ seek assurances that the proximity and integrity of the Forum infrastructure be carefully considered during the NCA’s assessment of Geocon’s Works Approval.

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