Our President, Philip Rowland, recently took advantage of an opportunity to meet with representatives of Leighton Abigroup Joint Venture - Gateway Upgrade Project at their Northern Site office. As representative of KBCB, Philip discussed various approaches being taken by AJV to protect the environmental values of Kedron Brook. The Brook constituted a significant waterway within the northern section of this major construction project. There would be a second Gateway Bridge and associated duplication and upgrades of the motorways.

Details of the overall project can be viewed at the website http://www.gatewayupgradeproject.com.au .

Community Relations Area Coordinator - North and New Gateway Bridge, Veida Major, advised that there will be a barge crossing over Kedron Brook which will cut off access as per the attached diagram (see link).  Works to the embankments are due to commence during the week of 23 April 2007 and following this, the barge is expected to move into place during the week of 30 April.

This barge crossing will be for construction vehicles to access the Gateway Upgrade Project site. The construction process would take place over the next two years.

During the construction,

• The section of the permanent bridge that will eventually cross Kedron Brook will be piered for the most part on either side of the Brook.
• There will be periods of time when flow will be cut off to allow for piling and concrete works to be carried out.  She advised they will continue to liaise with KBCB regarding timing of these works.
• One of the reasons the method of using the barge as the water crossing was chosen was to eliminate the creation of any fish barriers and to minimise impacts on aquatic life.
• A sediment basin will be placed north-west of Kedron Brook as was shown on the drawings at the meeting.

Veida Major said she would be in contact regularly to give updates for this area about the Brook. As discussed, it would be great to mutually arrange to set up a site tour once the barge is in place and works are underway. This would be a good opportunity for a committee representative and some KBCB members to see first hand the works being carried out.