Signs of anger: Matilda and Jakob Martincic and Franceska Dezelak with a residents’ sign protesting the rail work. Picture: Tommy Ritchie 52704
Andrew Mathieson
WORK on a second rail track behind homes at Bell Post Hill has angered residents, according to their spokesperson.
Franceska Dezelak said the track was disturbing the residents even before the first train travelled on the new line.
Early-morning construction and new concrete sleepers were making their lives “unbearable”, she said.
Ms Dezelak has garnered support from Rushden Close and Leila Crescent residents for a petition demanding Australian Rail Track Corporation take immediate action.
They want cushioning between concrete sleepers and the track, a high fence, planting of native trees and filters on all diesel engines to dampen noise.
Ms Dezelak said the noise from concrete slabs replacing wooden sleepers on an established line was “absolutely dreadful”.
“The concrete sleepers are so noisy and vibrating. An empty train already gives off so much noise but a heavy one is just boom, boom, boom – it’s just absolutely dreadful,” she said.
“Now we’re going to have two train lines, so we’re going to get more and more trains.
“It’s causing an increase in house vibrations and loss of quality of life.”
Ms Dezelak said engineers rejected suggestions to put rubber over the sleepers because it would wear out too quickly.
Residents received letters warning that work on the new track between Gheringhap and North Geelong would begin this week but the noisy construction actually started early last month, she said.
“They just started digging up one day and I didn’t know what was happening.”
Ms Dezelak said the work woke nearby residents as early as 7.30am six days a week for up to 10 hours.
The rail project followed residents battling construction noise for two years during development of Geelong’s bypass.
Australian Rail Track Corporation did not return the Independent’s calls for comment.
In the letter to residents, rail authorities said the project was essential to reduce travel times to the Port of Geelong.
The letter told residents that informal gardens at the back of homes “will be cleared” to make way for works.
“It is suggested that residents remove any items located in the rail reserve (i.e plants, pots, outdoor furniture) before construction starts.”
