IN A last ditch effort to address their fears and concerns, residents along Old Coast Rd are speaking out about perceived injustices they say they have copped at the hands of Roads and Maritime Services (RMS).
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For the past 12 years, since the new Pacific Highway was first proposed, three families have said they have cooperated and worked tirelessly with RMS to try and maintain a comfortable living space.
But now, they feel things have drastically turned against them.
“The ramp announcement (at North Macksville) changed the game,” Gordon said. “It’s been a case of ‘we'll see what's happening’.
“Our three houses will get most of the brunt of the new on/off ramp.
“We're not objecting to the ramp or even the highway – it’s an impressive feat of engineering, we are just appalled by the way we’ve been treated and how RMS are now not delivering on promises.”
As it stands, the three households are situated just centimetres from the project boundary and some metres from where the ramps will be once construction is completed.
“Now, we hear everything – from the trucks to diggers and even the concrete works at the pre-cast yard … we’re basically living in a building site and it’s terrifying us now.
“The trees creating some form of protection will be removed for the ramps and we will then see the headlights of all the traffic and trucks while sitting in our lounge rooms. Some have already been removed and there are more to go.”
The residents said RMS originally proposed compensation by way of sound proofing and air conditioning for their homes.
But the families claim RMS has now reneged on those undertakings – despite each receiving written confirmation that their properties would be adjusted accordingly.
“This has affected all of us dramatically,” Karen said. “We really are all very stressed and don’t see how they can do that.
“We just want RMS to do the right thing.”
On Wednesday afternoon, the RMS issued a statement in response to an inquiry from the Guardian about the residents concerns.
“Roads and Maritime Services understands inclusion of the new north facing ramps as part of the Warrell Creek to Nambucca Heads Pacific Highway upgrade is a concern to project neighbours in the area and is committed to minimising and mitigating impacts,” an RMS spokesperson said.
“The project team has been working closely with residents, with meetings as recently as last week, to help manage concerns and resolve issues as quickly and efficiently as possible.
“The project team will now work on a detailed design to incorporate as many measures as possible to reduce impacts to nearby residents including installation of noise treatment measures.
“Roads and Maritime Services will honour whatever we have committed to.
“Property is only acquired when needed and the Roads and Maritime Land Acquisition Information Guide outlines a property must be ‘directly affected’ in order to acquire it.
“A property is described as ‘directly affected’ when Roads and Maritime needs to acquire part or all of it in order to build the project.”
Mayor Rhonda Hoban said that when the issue was brought to her attention, she could not stand back and do nothing.
“I spoke to one of the families on Monday and they’ve subsequently emailed me details of what commitment was made by RMS and that they believe that the commitment hasn’t been honoured,” Cr Hoban told the Guardian.
“I will make representations on their behalf to both state and federal members and will also forward those representations to the RMS.
“Council’s view from day one has been that anyone who makes the ultimate sacrifice for us to have a safe and efficient highway should be dealt with fairly and compensated accordingly.
“Any commitments made by RMS on the mitigation of property should be honoured.”
The residents said they have spoken with Federal Member for Cowper Luke Hartsuyker who said he will also make representation to the relevant Federal Minister, and have raised the matter with Member for Oxley Melinda Pavey and Roads Minister Duncan Gay to try and resolve this issue.
“The ramps have been squeezed into the area next to our three homes and if our properties are acquired, surely it would make the ramp building process much easier for RMS and it would allow us to get on with our lives after 12 years of stress and aggravation.”
