A GROUP of locals affected by traffic noise from the new Kempsey bypass will meet the Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) Pacific Highway upgrade boss to discuss their complaints.
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The RMS held a meeting in Kempsey on October 16 to deliver the findings of the final noise monitoring report.
It was compiled by a specialist acoustic consultant recording noise levels at 24 locations along the bypass.
Homeowners identified as being affected by noise were offered what the RMS called ‘reasonable and feasible’ noise abatement measures, which include double glazed windows.
At Pola Creek, some residents of Bel Rio Close are upset because the noise affecting them is coming from a section of the bypass that is a grooved concrete surface, not tarmac, which they say would significantly reduce the traffic noise they can hear from their homes.
They were told by representatives of the RMS that the section of the bypass next to their properties was not constructed with a tarmac road surface because "the low density of houses potentially affected did not justify the additional cost".
Murray Walder and Kevin Gill are two of the Bel Rio Close group who say their quality of life and property values have been affected by noise from the bypass.
RMS Pacific Highway upgrade manager Bob Higgins has agreed to meet the residents at a meeting at Mr Valder’s house on November 27.
“To be fair we bought our house in the knowledge that the bypass was coming through and the RMS have been very good with their public relations," Mr Gill said.
"But the simple fact is that the noise from the bypass road surface has affected us and reduced the value of our homes.
“According to the noise monitoring report we are just fractionally under the limit to qualify for noise abatement measures.
“I dispute that as I have done my own noise monitoring and have come up with different readings, but regardless of that we did not buy a house out here to sit inside with the windows shut, we don’t want to live in a goldfish bowl.
“This is Australia and we want to enjoy our outdoor areas.”
Mr Walder said that he did not think it mattered how many people were affected, if the road was too noisy it should be corrected.
"We may only be nine families in the street but that should not matter, the fact is the noise has really impacted on our quality of life and we think it can be corrected,” Mr Walder said.
“When Bob Higgins comes her for our meeting we will be telling him we are not happy and asking him to really have a good think about whether he honestly believes that they have got this right.
“Anyone who believes that they have been affected by noise from the bypass is welcome to attend the meeting at my house at 28 Bel Rio Close at 3.30pm on Friday, November 22.”
