There is increasing activity on site at Glen Iris Estate as we prepare for the start of development works. This includes setting up dust management initiatives, identifying and protecting trees that will form part of the new residential community, fauna relocation and the establishment of a site compound for civil contractor, Densford Civil.
Densford Civil Site Compound
Densford Civil has set up a project office and site compound just off Dean Road, opposite Yarra Vista Park.
This compound will also be used by any sub-contractors working on the first stages of the development over the coming 18 months to two years.
Fauna Relocation
Qualified environmental consultants have been engaged to carefully and safely relocate any fauna that may be living in the stage one works area at Glen Iris Estate.
There location program is occurring prior to any vegetation being cleared, but the consultants will continue to monitor for fauna throughout the works.
Dust Management Preparation
As part of their comprehensive site management plan, Densford Civil is installing several dust management initiatives across the site.
These include:
- Erecting increased height construction fencing inside the boundary of the site to define the earthworks area. Shade cloth has been attached to this fence to form a dust barrier.
- Shade cloth along the existing boundary fence along Hartwell Parade.
- Four monitors to enable Densford Civil to actively measure dust and vibration. These monitors will provide real-time records and alerts and this information will be used to adjust the works program based on forecast weather conditions.
- A 1,300kl fenced dam (known as a turkey’s nest) connected to a ground waterbore. The turkey’s nest will supply water for dust suppression measures including sprinklers and mobile watercarts that will regularly dampen the work site to minimise dust in the air.
Tree Retention
Prior to development works commencing, special measures have been taken to protect mature trees that will be retained in the new residential community.
The process began with trees across the initial phase of the project being rated and classified to identify those suitable for retaining within the new neighbourhood.
This work has informed the detailed road design and layouts and was completed under the guidance of qualified arboriculturists.
Other tree management activities included:
- Trees being pre-treated by the arboriculturists with a protective solution of amino acids, kelp and mineral blend. These will be regularly watered and inspected to maintain their health.
- Protective fencing installed around the stands of trees that will be retained to provide suitable root protection zones while machinery is being used on site.
- Specific management of retained trees close to the edge of new roads including vacuum extraction of soil around their roots for the arboriculturists to consider structural integrity and root pruning for long term survival.
The removal of some trees, starting with the non-native species, has now begun with experienced clearing sub-contractors undertaking the work over the coming weeks.
Removing these trees is a necessary part of the early development works.
The retention of hundreds of mature trees, is an important element of the vision for Glen Iris Estate, providing leafy streets and parks, habitat for birds and other wildlife, and a host of environmental benefits not found in many other new residential estates.
The development will also include the planting of more than 1,100 new trees across the project to complement the existing tree canopy.
