Download Maintenance Report 2018
MAINTENANCE ANNUAL REPORT 2017-2018
By NEIL HARVEY
Heritage Listed Structures – Painting Project
Over some time I have sought the help of ARTC in having the heritage listed structures repainted following the successful concrete cancer repairs of about three years ago. My attempts included telephone calls, emails and a site visit with Michael Irons, ARTC Property Manager North-South. I was asked to provide quotes to Michael to take the project to the next step. I was able to provide four quotes. One quote was local but the others came from further afield. I met with each prospective contractor and discussed the job. I sent all quotes to Michael Irons. In our previous discussions I had emphasised the need to complete paintwork during the warmer months as painting work in the cold months is not recommended for a good paint job or indeed for the people doing the painting. I made contact with Michael a number of times as a follow up. I was guardedly optimistic that this time the painting work would be completed.
Unfortunately my optimism proved to be unfounded and the job did not proceed. The previous year had the same story. In 2016-2017 I asked three contractors to quote for the job and it didn’t eventuate. As a result, the patches of concrete work remain unprotected. Of course, it is not just the new work which needs protection from the elements; all the heritage structures are in need of painting to maintain their heritage significance.
Accordingly, this project remains incomplete and if we are to preserve the station and the concrete repairs it must be done very soon. The concrete cancer project cost just over $20,000 and was funded jointly by Transport Heritage Grants and ARTC. At this stage all that money is potentially wasted if the structures remain unprotected. It should be noted that I am not critical of Michael Irons since I imagine he has to work within the funds allocated to him and there are no doubt many conflicting and competing demands on what funds there are. Certainly our relationship over the years has been excellent and ARTC, through Michael Irons, has been supportive, for example replacing the roof on the Gallery.
In an effort to get further support in our request to have the heritage listed structures repainted we sought advice from our local Federal MP for Whitlam, Stephen Jones. Mr Jones has been very helpful in the past and we have a good relationship with him. He asked us to provide him with a letter seeking his help which President Ian did. He received this letter and immediately supported us by further contacting the Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Mr Michael McCormack MP. This was done quite recently so we haven’t yet heard if our attempts to get help from a higher level has been successful.
Despite the aforementioned history there is a glimmer of hope. A phone call to Michael Irons at the time of writing this report, regarding an unrelated matter, revealed that ARTC have funds allocated in the second quarter of the financial year to repaint the station. Hopefully this time next year we can report that this project has been finally completed.
Other Maintenance
(1)The access road through the precinct had developed large pot holes. We had a contractor repair these as much as possible. Whilst improved the road is still not all that good. ARTC paid for this work and for this I am grateful.
(2) The water main off South Street has sprung a leak. This is a current problem and steps are underway to have it repaired as soon as possible. About two years ago a similar problem occurred. ARTC pay for these types of repairs.
By NEIL HARVEY
Heritage Listed Structures – Painting Project
Over some time I have sought the help of ARTC in having the heritage listed structures repainted following the successful concrete cancer repairs of about three years ago. My attempts included telephone calls, emails and a site visit with Michael Irons, ARTC Property Manager North-South. I was asked to provide quotes to Michael to take the project to the next step. I was able to provide four quotes. One quote was local but the others came from further afield. I met with each prospective contractor and discussed the job. I sent all quotes to Michael Irons. In our previous discussions I had emphasised the need to complete paintwork during the warmer months as painting work in the cold months is not recommended for a good paint job or indeed for the people doing the painting. I made contact with Michael a number of times as a follow up. I was guardedly optimistic that this time the painting work would be completed.
Unfortunately my optimism proved to be unfounded and the job did not proceed. The previous year had the same story. In 2016-2017 I asked three contractors to quote for the job and it didn’t eventuate. As a result, the patches of concrete work remain unprotected. Of course, it is not just the new work which needs protection from the elements; all the heritage structures are in need of painting to maintain their heritage significance.
Accordingly, this project remains incomplete and if we are to preserve the station and the concrete repairs it must be done very soon. The concrete cancer project cost just over $20,000 and was funded jointly by Transport Heritage Grants and ARTC. At this stage all that money is potentially wasted if the structures remain unprotected. It should be noted that I am not critical of Michael Irons since I imagine he has to work within the funds allocated to him and there are no doubt many conflicting and competing demands on what funds there are. Certainly our relationship over the years has been excellent and ARTC, through Michael Irons, has been supportive, for example replacing the roof on the Gallery.
In an effort to get further support in our request to have the heritage listed structures repainted we sought advice from our local Federal MP for Whitlam, Stephen Jones. Mr Jones has been very helpful in the past and we have a good relationship with him. He asked us to provide him with a letter seeking his help which President Ian did. He received this letter and immediately supported us by further contacting the Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Mr Michael McCormack MP. This was done quite recently so we haven’t yet heard if our attempts to get help from a higher level has been successful.
Despite the aforementioned history there is a glimmer of hope. A phone call to Michael Irons at the time of writing this report, regarding an unrelated matter, revealed that ARTC have funds allocated in the second quarter of the financial year to repaint the station. Hopefully this time next year we can report that this project has been finally completed.
Other Maintenance
(1)The access road through the precinct had developed large pot holes. We had a contractor repair these as much as possible. Whilst improved the road is still not all that good. ARTC paid for this work and for this I am grateful.
(2) The water main off South Street has sprung a leak. This is a current problem and steps are underway to have it repaired as soon as possible. About two years ago a similar problem occurred. ARTC pay for these types of repairs.