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| Artists Impression |
According to the Project Manager, Phase1 (archaeological and some demolition works) is complete. Phase 2 (ground work and piling associated with the construction of the new concourse and walkway) is nearing completion, and Phase 3 (main construction works) will be starting soon. The project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2012.
The end of 2012 seems a long way away - apparently the main reason it will take so long is the need to keep the station running while doing the works, and the need for 'track possessions' - when the trains don't run - which are apparently limited to 4/year (although I could swear they are more frequent).
Apart form the artist's impression above, probably the best idea of the overall layout of the new station comes from the upgrade plan below. The new concourse is quite a long way down the platform, pretty much on top of the existing 1927 platform building, which is to be demolished. There will also be a new entry from Thomas Street, behind the Newtown Central shopping centre.
One thing I couldn't find, despite looking everywhere, was an impression of what the revised walkway roof would look like. The original design, or at least the artists impression of it, caused quite a bit of controversy when the original plans were announced, so I was curious to see what the announced more discrete canopy would look like. The closest I could find was in the sketch below, showing the view from the side of the station - I can only assume no impressions were generated to avoid controversy ! Let me know if you manage to find an impression anywhere.
Walkway canopyI did find the above about the canopy in the 'REF' - Review of Environmental Factors - but none of the diagrams in Appendix C sated my curiosity !
In order to provide cover to the access walkway, a canopy is to be constructed
between King Street and the new concourse. A 4 metre wide walkway canopy commences at King Street adjacent the existing booking office building and continues along the northern side of the walkway to the concourse building where it continues down to the new station concourse building, where it would terminate beneath the canopy of the concourse. Drawings of the design and the proposed form of the walkway are located in Appendix C
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| Concourse Level Side View |
The DA also has a large set of detailed plans. Those interested in history should check out Appendix D1 - the Heritage Report. The remaining Appendix D volumes are mostly more modern photos, with the exception of Appendix D7 which contains an ammendment to the original HIS, updated after the original plans were modified, which is where I learnt that the stairs (1892 originals) will be retained as an emergency exit from the platform.
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| Building the platform in 1927 |
So it's a long wait, but I think the finished product will be worth it. Next step - find out what's happening to those Tram Sheds !
even though I just moved away from newtown (I know, how could I?!), I'm really interested in all this because I lived on the train line looking at those tram sheds for three years!
ReplyDeleteI think 'track possessions' must refer to closing all 6 tracks that run through newtown, because they do work on individual tracks all.the.time. I know because they used floodlights and it was noisy. the last time I can think of that they stopped all 6 tracks was when they took 2 weeks to rebuild the erskineville road bridge - I didn't sleep for those two weeks. Come to think of it, I'm glad I'm not living there while all this is going on!
You say: Appendix E - the archaeological report - contains even more history, unfortunately broken into 7 chunks, I guess to facilitate easy downloading for those still on Tony Abbott approved dial-up.
ReplyDeleteWhat an immature statement to make. Apart from the fact that the far majority of Australians have numerous other options available to connect to the internet (ADSL, ADSL2, Cable, wireless, etc) and very few would be actually on dial-up. The most likely reason it is divided into 7 chunks is the fact that they were created by or under the guidance and incompetence of the NSW state Labor government employees.
I can't see why they didn't put a second entrance/gate/stairs leading onto erskineville road, for all the people who head down wilson street (or into erko but deciding not to use erko station) it would be a godsend, and save some of the evening crush at king st.
ReplyDeleteWhat was the controversy with the roof? I missed that one.
ReplyDeleteIt's a pity they're trashing the existing station building :( I wish it was open now, I love all those old rail buildings.
@Anonymous1: I don't usually feed trolls but it's called a joke :)
Hi Henare -
ReplyDeleteThe roof controversy was to do with the original roof design which had an unusual wavy design that many thought was out of character with the surrounding area.
In the revised plans it was replaced with a more sedate straight profile. You can see before and after pictures here.
PS - not a great joke but yes, an attempt ! Poor troll.
Ps Anonymous (not the troll one) I can see the benefit of the Erko Rd entrance but not sure there's the space - depending of course on what happens to the Tram Sheds.
ReplyDeleteIdeally they could have done something during the epic bridge rebuild !
hadn't thought of erskineville rd access! would be a lot more useful than silly old thomas st. and it does look as though there is enough room at that end of the platform. comes down to land ownership, i guess.
ReplyDelete>The roof controversy was to do with the original roof design which had an unusual wavy design that many thought was out of character with the surrounding area.
ReplyDeleteAh, I remember now - thanks Mayor!