Pyrmont residents brace for 24/7 Metro tunnelling noise

By JUSTIN COOPER

Pyrmont residents are bracing for months of construction noise and vibration as the locations for drilling to build the new Metro stations in the inner-city have been released.

In an update from the NSW government and Sydney Metro announcing the modifications, the excavation would cause people in buildings to possibly “experience ground-borne noise and vibration” from the use of road headers, boring machines and additional excavation tools.

A major change to the plans for construction means tunnelling will be allowed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This tunnelling is expected to begin in 2024 for a period of 6 to 12 weeks.

The initial proposal for modifications from NSW Government and Sydney Metro noted the possibility of a “sleep disturbance event for receivers” around Pyrmont Street, Edward Street, and Pyrmont Bridge Road.

A spokesperson from Sydney Metro explained that the excavation of the metro will include methods to manage noise, including “regular monitoring, and the installation of hoardings and acoustically sealed sheds in some locations”.

“Sydney Metro has been engaging with the community in Pyrmont since 2019 and will continue to work closely with them throughout the planning and construction phases of the project,” the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson said the modification “is consistent with all recent tunnelling projects in Sydney, including other stages of Sydney Metro West,” and was approved by the Department of Planning and Environment on April 19.

Tunnelling will be conducted 40 metres under the Pyrmont area to construct the twin-rail underground station and cross-over cavern.

The Pyrmont cross-over cavern will allow the trains to easily switch from one track to the other, and will need to be excavated 24 metres wide and 148 metres long.

Council address residents’ concerns

Pyrmont local Vanessa Joy said that she is forfeiting her choice to work from home due to the amount of disturbance around the area due to construction.

“We are facing years of disruption with the harbourside rebuild so whilst it will likely be annoying as hell, the quicker it is over the better I think,” Joy said.

Explaining that the amount of work in the area will ultimately affect everyone at some point, Joy hopes “that all care and consideration is made regarding the historic homes and buildings nearby.”

Due to the high levels of public concern following the modifications, The City of Sydney Council have raised concerns to reassure resident safety.

On the April 3,  a motion put forward by Cr Waskam Emelda Davis and seconded by Cr Linda Scott called on Sydney Council to address the vibrations, noise, and wellbeing of the public from the upcoming construction.

Cr Davis noted the exhibition of the modified plans was only available for 2 weeks with “a lot of technical information that was confusing and alarming for many in the community who will be affected by the changes”.

Cr Davis continued to raise concerns held by Prymont locals, along with the potentially persistent noise, fears of possible damage to buildings from vibrations, air pollution from dust and additional traffic.

The motion was carried unanimously requesting that Lord Mayor Clover Moore write to the Minister for Transport and Minister for Planning to voice concerns, as well as request updates for residents in Pyrmont and Ultimo on milestones and changes in construction.

Commencement on construction for Pyrmont metro and cross-over cavern is due to begin in 2024 and continue into 2025. The $25 billion dollar Metro West project will connect Greater Parramatta to the Sydney CBD and is expected to be completed by 2030.