Burst main could mean last drinks for Iron Duke

By Mick Roberts

A major city road remains closed to traffic and a favourite Alexandria watering hole may be demolished after a water main burst causing flooding and significant damage to surrounding properties.
Investigations into what caused the large main to break on Botany Road on March 6 are continuing.
Botany Road has been closed indefinitely and a 24-hour emergency clearway been declared on surrounding streets as businesses struggle with the lack of through traffic.
Local businesses say trade is down approximately 40 per cent.
Bus routes 309, 310 and 370 in the area have also changed.
The Iron Duke Hotel has closed due to structural damage and the 10 residents living upstairs have been forced to move. The burst main flooded the cellar of the historic pub, leading to structural damage and the possibility of demolition.
Sydney Water said the main appears to have been sound and its fracture may have been related to subsidence in the soil. There is a major construction site nearby and Sydney Water’s managing director Kerry Schott said water from the construction site has been pumped and 6,000 cubic metres of sand has been dumped to help stabilise the excavation.
Recovery meetings to expedite work needed to stabilise the construction site and then reopen the road have been held between police, the Roads and Traffic Authority, Sydney Water, constructors and sub-contractors on the neighbouring site, hotel representatives, structural engineers, the Department of Commerce and City of Sydney Council.