Just 15 minutes from Melbourne CBD, in the centre of Caulfield, a new residential complex with over 1500 apartments is about to build up, with a new town square, retail centre and upgrades to local road network.
With the recent road closures for pipe construction, local residents have been suffering from the heavy construction noises, dust, blocked roads, and limited parking spaces.
We interviewed some local residents to find out what is going on near the construction site.
“I can’t park in my street even though I have a parking permit” said Luke, a local resident living across the construction site, “Lots of cars started to park in the front of my house because the other road is totally blocked for construction.”
“A huge increase of cars parked here are making lots of noise all the time too” Luke added, “I’m thinking about moving out this area soon because of the construction, it’s just too much for me”
“I can hear trucks coming in and out to the street in the early morning because of the construction site.” Another local resident Aron said, “I work night shift, now I can’t even sleep in peace because of the noise all day long, from the new construction and the railway upgrades, it’s just too much.”
Aron has been living in the neighbour for the past two years, he told us that lots of trees had been cut down, the natural sound and dust blocker barrier has now gone, there’s no way to escape from the noise and dust.
Anika, another local is more concerned about the effect on the wildlife. “There used to be quite a lot of possums and birds in this area, but lots of trees were cut down, and I haven’t seen possums for over a year! Those were really nice trees, lots of shades in the summer, but sadly now nothing is left.”
At the same time, this Caulfield Village project has refused to include social housing at this billion-dollar-worth development in Caulfield, despite a long legal battle to let desperate people in.
“I’m concerned about the increase of the housing price too.” said Aron, “I used to pay 280 per a week, now I’m paying 300, it’s the same house, just with more noises, dusts and crowds”
Other side projects like the new Boulevard is under construction now as well, which will form part of Caulfield Village’s south-eastern boundary, eventually including Caulfield’s first ever Town Square.
The project is forecast to be delivered over a timeframe of 10-15 years with planning approval granted by Glen Eira City Council.
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