Herds of metal dinosaurs lumber across the landscape, issuing plaintive beeps, as if calling for mates. By Mark Robertson
POST readers visiting Wonthaggi recently could not fail to notice the new green behemoth rising from the site of the old Miners’ Rest Hotel-Motel. The associated road works are – how would you say it? – extensive.
I live directly opposite the White Road/McKenzie Street intersection, so I’ve had a ringside seat for the big build. The size and speed of it is both fascinating and horrifying.
POST readers visiting Wonthaggi recently could not fail to notice the new green behemoth rising from the site of the old Miners’ Rest Hotel-Motel. The associated road works are – how would you say it? – extensive.
I live directly opposite the White Road/McKenzie Street intersection, so I’ve had a ringside seat for the big build. The size and speed of it is both fascinating and horrifying.
Work started slowly in January with surveyors and crews locating underground services, followed by erection of the steel framework.
Then the roadworks started! My nature strip migrated into a dirt pile across the road. So far it’s been dug up five times for drainage and other services. A new service road is being laid. This is currently the White Road access. It’s also a major access and rat run for the new housing estates in North Wonthaggi. Given the volume of traffic, I’m surprised that so far there have been no major collisions at the intersection. Perhaps something for the council and VicRoads to consider.
A constant procession of trucks delivers materials to the site and the northern half of the main roundabout is evolving. The roadworks have been a kind of archaeological dig, uncovering layers of redstone – the burnt shale excavated during the coal mining days which was once used to construct Wonthaggi’s streets. Fred Brown also supplied finely crushed redstone to construct the athletics track at the MCG for the 1956 Olympics.
Watching the machines at work on the site is fascinating. Herds of metal dinosaurs lumber across the landscape, issuing plaintive beeps, as if calling for mates. They are attended by fluoro-clad slaves. The most spectacular is the road muncher, a white gargantuan which rotary hoes the top layer of bitumen and soil. Its long proboscis spits the remains into a dump truck – hopefully for recycling.
A constant procession of trucks delivers materials to the site and the northern half of the main roundabout is evolving. The roadworks have been a kind of archaeological dig, uncovering layers of redstone – the burnt shale excavated during the coal mining days which was once used to construct Wonthaggi’s streets. Fred Brown also supplied finely crushed redstone to construct the athletics track at the MCG for the 1956 Olympics.
Watching the machines at work on the site is fascinating. Herds of metal dinosaurs lumber across the landscape, issuing plaintive beeps, as if calling for mates. They are attended by fluoro-clad slaves. The most spectacular is the road muncher, a white gargantuan which rotary hoes the top layer of bitumen and soil. Its long proboscis spits the remains into a dump truck – hopefully for recycling.
Less charming is the demolition concrete saw. Its banshee wail has provided a highly effective alarm clock at times. The vibrating roller should be named the earthquake machine. It shakes and compacts the road base, along with the foundations of the surrounding buildings, making me fear for the survival of my 1960s brickwork.
Construction seems to be proceeding relatively smoothly but I feel that residents’ amenity is well down the list of priorities. My house is covered in dust, the bus stop has been marooned and pedestrians must take huge risks when crossing the road. It will only get worse when school and kindergarten recommence next week.
Construction seems to be proceeding relatively smoothly but I feel that residents’ amenity is well down the list of priorities. My house is covered in dust, the bus stop has been marooned and pedestrians must take huge risks when crossing the road. It will only get worse when school and kindergarten recommence next week.
Now they've come for the footpath ...
My footpath suddenly disappeared several days ago, loaded into trucks and taken away, and the nature strip area has been fenced off. Those who used to use the footpath will have to take their chances on the roadside. Putting the bins out is an adventure and the postie will need to ride a motocross bike for deliveries. There is no parking out the front for visitors or me. Thank god for the back lane access. I only hope the fire trucks can get through the peak hour traffic if needed.
Construction is supposed to be finished by mid-year. I’m dreading the opening days. It will be chaos. Perhaps Bunnings can be promoted as Wonthaggi’s main tourist attraction now that the State Coal Mine state park is on the skids.
Is this the future of our town – to be a developers’ paradise, a soulless far outer suburb of Melbourne, a big box shopping destination?
I hear the Distinctive Areas and Landscapes hearings have featured a long queue of development spruikers and barristers.
How about they – and Bunnings – have a quick whiparound and stump up the $1.5 million to get the State Coal Mine back up and running? That might just soothe the locals a bit …