Waverton: Western Harbour Tunnel project to shake, damage homes
Vibration and noise impacts are set to impact more than 100 homes in Waverton under new plans for the Western Harbour Tunnel motorway. NSW Transport has also said there’s potential for “structural or cosmetic damage”.
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Vibration and noise impacts are set to impact the historic Coal Loader site and more than 100 homes in Waverton under major plans for Sydney’s newest motorway tunnel.
Property damage, building cracks and around-the-clock construction noise are among concerns raised by residents over the proposed 6.5km Western Harbour Tunnel, linking WestConnex in Rozelle to the Warringah Fwy in Cammeray.
New plans by Transport for NSW show 105 homes in the suburb are expected to experience “human disturbance” impacts from rock-hammering works underneath properties.
Tunnelling would be up to 22m beneath homes in Waverton and up to 18m below sections of the 100-year-old Coal Loader site – the shallowest tunnelling depth in the project.
Transport for NSW said potential impacts on the Coal Loader could include “structural or cosmetic damage” due to the site’s classification as an “unsound structure” and proximity to the motorway.
A total of 187 homes in Waverton are also predicted to experience noise impacts from construction works as loud as 40 decibels at night and 76 decibels in day periods – on par with the sound of a vacuum cleaner.
Waverton resident Ian Grey, whose Balls Head Rd home stands above the tunnel, said concerns included potential property damage and the age of homes in the suburb.
“The house I live in and a lot of the properties around here are about 110 years old – they’re on sandstone and they’re not built to the same standards as they would be today,” he said.
“When the tunnel climbs up from the harbour towards Crows Nest it will come very close to homes under the surface. We want assurances it’s deep enough and that it won’t cause problems down the track such as cracking in our walls.”
Residents have also flagged concerns over noise and congestion from truck movements between the Berrys Bay construction site and the Pacific Hwy. Plans show 265 vehicles and up to 55 trucks would access the construction site each day via Bay Rd and Balls Head Rd.
“We’re being told all the workers (at Berrys Bay) will come in by boat but I’ll believe that when I see it,” Mr Grey said.
“There’s one main road into Waverton and all the concrete trucks are going to be using it. With noise and roads blocked all day it will make it a very difficult five to six years for residents.”
Transport for NSW said noise mitigation measures including offers of window sealing and “alternative accommodation” may apply to impacted homeowners.
A department spokesman said residents within 50 metres of project would also be offered a free condition survey for their home.
The EIS states further assessments including structural surveys would be carried out on the Coal Loader.
Transport for NSW said measures to reduce vibration and noise impacts included working within standard construction hours, using acoustic sheds and installing temporary noise barriers.