Residents in a suburban street have voiced their angst after a further dozen properties were earmarked to make way for massive transport projects.
Homeowners at Fitzroy Court in Parrearra are preparing to leave, after the Department of Transport and Main Roads identified the need for more space to accommodate a planned transport corridor that includes a revamped road interchange, new motorway and new 37km rail line.
In a recent letter to Sunshine Coast News, Neil Herbert said soon-to-be-departing residents were suffering from “a lot of stress and anxiety”, while a neighbour who did not want to be named said nearby homes would be significantly affected by noise and a possible five-metre wall.
They were among the latest property owners to be informed they would be impacted by the region’s road and rail overhaul. More than 130 other residents were previously told their homes would make way for the Mooloolah River Interchange Upgrade.
The department said planning was in progress for multiple transport projects and it would work closely with impacted property owners to provide information and support.
Mr Herbert said homeowners on one side of Fitzroy Court were bracing for their homes to be bulldozed, and he was unsure of his future.
“They have caused a lot of stress and anxiety to us residents,” he said.
“Politicians seem to gloss over the word ‘corridor’ (and) the hidden impact, with zero help in identifying where we can go.
“Ultimately, we will have no power to fight, so we are now in the process of lining up the steps, find out the bottom line, settlement figure and see what’s available to purchase another house we can call home again.”
He indicated it would be virtually impossible to find a “like-for-like house at near zero changeover”.
“I’ve recently been under medical guidance with stress anxiety issues and I’m simply over this indecisive road train rubbish,” he said.
“We are 70 (years old), seeking a happy peaceful retirement in the real world.”
Meanwhile, another resident said nearby homes would also be impacted, but with no compensation.
“Our house is not on the resumption list but will front a potential five-metre-high acoustic fence within about 30m of our property,” he said.
“When we attended a consultation meeting with TMR, we were basically told that the alignment has been engineered for the best solution and that a change in design codes required the corridor to be widened and hence the resumption of the properties.
“I do not understand why they chose an alignment that has caused so much community disruption.”
He said nearby properties would be affected with little consideration.
“Unless they (TMR) resume some of your land there is no compensation for ruining your lifestyle and the devaluation of your property due to their actions,” he said.
The department said it approached acquisitions with compassion and it would work with property owners to provide support.
It said the region needed a major revamp of its transport network.
“With more than 500,000 people expected to call the Sunshine Coast home over the next 20 years, it’s important we prepare the region by providing more accessible, sustainable and efficient ways for everyone to travel,” a spokesperson said.
“The government’s responsibility to provide a better and safer transport network sometimes means privately owned land may be acquired for these transport infrastructure purposes.
“Property acquisitions are a sensitive but necessary part of building new infrastructure. We approach each case with compassion and in accordance with a framework established by the Acquisition of Land Act.”
The spokesperson said a transport corridor had been preserved since 2001, for the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line and Kawana Motorway.
“With these projects and the Sunshine Coast Public Transport project currently in the detailed business case phase, further investigations are required to understand any potential impact to properties,” they said.
The spokesperson said acquisitions in the area had been underway for some time, but it was recently discovered that the homes at Parrearra would also need to make way.
“Properties impacted for the Mooloolah River Interchange Upgrade have been acquired under TMR’s Early Acquisition Policy since planning began in 2007,” they said.
“During recent planning, we identified that proposed alignments for future stages of the MRI Upgrade project, and other projects planned within this corridor, will directly impact an additional 12 properties in Parrearra.
“We will work closely with any impacted property owners to provide information and support as these projects progress.”
Do you have an opinion to share? Submit a Letter to the Editor at Sunshine Coast News via news@sunshinecoastnews.com.au. You must include your name and suburb.
