East Avenue Books has been plagued by
disruptions and mess caused by the Goodwood Junction rail works. Owner Joan
Fenney says the ongoing disruptions have significantly reduced business and
caused financial loss. Source: News
Limited
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CLARENCE Park book shop owner is seeking compensation from the State Government,
saying work on the Goodwood Junction rail upgrade has hit her business hard.
East Avenue Books owner Joan Fenney said her business was headed for a record
financial loss after customers had been turned away from her shop by detours and
heavy machinery.
She has written to her local member, Ashford Labor MP Steph Key, as well as
Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis seeking compensation but was yet to receive
a response.
"It's really affected us," Ms Fenney said.
"With a book shop you're up against a lot of things, but this has made it
harder.
"We used to get a lot of people getting off the train and coming in for a
look."
Since the work began, Ms Fenney had been forced to sweep and mop at least
twice a day due to dust from digging works.
The State Government had provided her with window cleaning twice and a
cleaning service inside her shop once.
"The last thing you want on good books is dirt and dust," she said.
"You accept that work has got to be done but nobody told us about the dirt,
dust and the noise.
"Sometimes the noise was just deafening and vibrated the whole shop."
Residents and businesses near the Goodwood Rail Junction have been plagued by
noise, dust and disruptions, caused by upgrade works, for nearly eight
months.
The upgrade work to the Goodwood Junction began in January to coincide with
electrification works on the Noarlunga and Tonsley lines, preventing trains from
using the track.
"We're not looking for anything huge," Ms Fenney said.
"We would be happy with just a small financial compensation or even just some
advertising or something.
"When you're here over seven hours a day with the noise and the dust, you
just leave with a headache. The whole thing has really worn us out."
Her neighbours have also been disrupted by the project.
Cromer Pde resident Heather Rudd said the biggest problem had been limited
and inaccurate information about when works were taking place.
"It has been very intrusive, especially when they use the vibrator, which has
made the house shake like it's an earthquake," she said.
"I hope the benefit outweighs the temporary inconvenience."
Another resident, who did not wish to be named, said the project had been
"horrendous''.
"The biggest problem is the dust and when they get the vibrational roller out
the windows and walls shake," she said.
"It's just feels horrible and it's really stressful."
A Transport Department spokeswoman said regular communication, including
doorknocking, fortnightly newsletters and meetings, had been provided to
residents throughout the works.
"Access to all businesses was maintained at all times throughout the works
and businesses and organisations were provided a thank you promotion in the
fortnightly Community Update."
Major works on the project are expected to be completed by the end of the
month but minor works, including landscaping, signalling and installation of
electrification masts will continue beyond August.
The vertical garden is a living wall of herbs, with the herbs
planted seasonally and available for everyone from the community to graze from, so if you have time go and do a little pruning and snip some herbs for yourself.
