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How to avoid the tunnels being damaged by geological survey drills like in Japan and Turkey?

    Steve McMillan

    Folks, you have seen what happened in Japan and Turkey. Some people on the ground decide to drill and they drilled through train tunnels...

    Here is the story, if you have not read before...

    https://tunnelcontact.com/discussion/view/1999/in-japan-train-running-in-a-tunnel-hits-a-geological-survey-drill-that-pierced-through-the-ceiling-of-the-tunnel

    In Australia, there is already a requirement to get official permit to conduct such drills. As far as I know, it is in effect since 2016. It is called " Design and Development Overlay (DDO)":

    'The objective of the DDO is to protect the underground tunnels, stations and other infrastructure during the construction and future operation of the Metro Tunnel'.

    The DDO will not preclude future development from taking place above or near the tunnels and stations, but ensures that development does not adversely affect the project's infrastructure. It also means that developers and decision-makers will consider the underground infrastructure early in designing and delivering future developments.

    Undertaking the following building works within the DDO area requires a planning permit:

    • demolish or remove a building or works that are more than 2 storeys or include a basement of more than one storey **
    • a new building if it is:
      • more than 2 storeys, or
      • with a basement, or
      • with a footing founded more than 2m below Surface Level *
    • a temporary structure of more than one storey
    • earthworks or excavation that change the Surface Level * by more than 1m
    • a pole, sign or retaining wall if any footing is founded more than 2m below Surface Level *
    • an underground utility if any trench is more than 2m below Surface Level *
    • internal and external alterations to a building if there are works below Surface Level *
    • tramway works if any earthworks change the Surface Level by more than 1m or works are more than 2m below Surface Level *
    • road works if any earthworks change the Surface Level by more than 1m or works are more than 2m below Surface Level *
    • a rainwater tank with a capacity of more than 4,500 litres if there are works below Surface Level *
    • a domestic swimming pool or spa and associated mechanical and safety equipment associated with one dwelling on a lot if there are works below Surface Level *
    • any works necessary to prevent soil erosion, or to ensure soil conservation or reclamation, if any earthworks change the Surface Level by more than 1m or works are more than 2m below Surface Level *.'

    This is the 2016 document:

    Melbourne Metro Rail Project – Infrastructure Protection Areas Incorporated Document, December 2016 (PDF, 127.4 KB)

    or you can visit the Victoria government site for more information:

    https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/projects/metro-tunnel/about/referral-authority/metro-tunnel-ddo

    I wonder how come they do not have this in Japan and Turkey?

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