WestConnex M4-M5 tunnelling prompts meetings
Hundreds of homeowners who fear their houses could crack during the next stage of WestConnex tunnelling will gather at two public meetings.
- Homeowners surprised by tunnel route
- Claims of WestConnex broken promises
- WestConnex workers deny M4 East tunnelling cracked homes
Hundreds of homeowners who fear their houses could crack during the next stage of WestConnex tunnelling will gather at two public meetings.
Tunnelling for the M4-M5 link tunnels between Haberfield and St Peters is due to begin later this year, and state Greens Balmain MP Jamie Parker and state Greens Newtown MP Jenny Leong are holding forums on Saturday and Monday respectively to discuss concerns.
More than 150 people have registered to attend Mr Parker’s forum at Leichhardt Town Hall on Saturday.
One is Annandale homeowner Sue Templeman, who has lived at Reserve St since 1978.
She learned late last year of a “stub tunnel” planned below her street which would allow motorists to travel from the M4-M5 link to the Rozelle interchange.
At one point, the top of this tunnel will be 12m from the surface.
Homeowners at North Strathfield, and others, have earlier found cracks they claim were caused by tunnelling vibrations. The contractors have refused the compensation claims.
Ms Templeman is concerned she could suffer the same fate.
“We’re distressed about the implications of a tunnel only 12m below,” Ms Templeman said.
“You hear these stories of what’s happened to other people and you think of the worst case scenario — that could be us.
“We’re angry and anxious.”
A spokeswoman for WestConnex said it was committed to keeping the community informed and would continue to provide regular information on the M4-M5 link tunnels through mail and email, advertising, meetings, feedback sessions and street meetings.
She said residents within 50m of the tunnel would be offered property surveys before and after construction.
“We care greatly about what happens to people’s homes and any property damage attributed to the project will be repaired at no cost to the owner,” she said.
Roads and Maritime Services is establishing a property assessment panel to determine damage claims rather than contractors.
Ms Templeman said she was thinking of arranging a survey without WestConnex involvement.
She and her neighbours will also lobby to have the tunnelling deeper than 12m at that point.
“We at least have to try and fight to get amendments to the depth,” she said.
Mr Parker and Mrs Leong are concerned the government will compulsorily acquire land beneath some properties and add notes to land titles.
Mr Parker said: “there has been some underground acquisitions (in earlier stages) but nothing on this scale. This scale is unprecedented.
“So we’ll be talking about dilapidation reports and vibration monitoring and other steps people should be taking.”
The Leichhardt forum will start at 2pm. Mrs Leong’s forum will be held at Camperdown Stanmore Community Church Hall at 6pm.
The government is a major stakeholder in the $16.8 billion motorway, which will stretch between Homebush and St Peters, and is due by 2024.
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