Eric Haskin & Phil Da Silva are two residents unhappy with Spearwood Avenue roadworks. Photo: Bruce Hunt. d488855 communitypix.com.au
Camera IconEric Haskin & Phil Da Silva are two residents unhappy with Spearwood Avenue roadworks. Photo: Bruce Hunt. d488855 communitypix.com.au Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Roadworks damaging homes: Yangebup residents

Jessica NicoCockburn Gazette

RESIDENTS living near the Spearwood Avenue duplication site say roadworks are damaging their homes and creating spaces for hoons to enjoy.

Eric and Zelda Haskins, who live on Conigrave Road in Yangebup, say they and other residents have had to deal with structural damage, a loss of privacy due to tree removal, scores of dust and sand throughout their homes and a large increase in noise since the works started.

Mr Haskins said they had also witnessed four wheel drives and motorcycles “hooning” on the embankment outside their home after the trees were removed.

PerthNow Digital Edition.
Your local paper, whenever you want it.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

Roadworks for the $8m Spearwood Avenue project started in April as the City of Cockburn constructs a dual carriageway between Barrington Street and Beeliar Drive.

“It has been hell on earth with the dust causing my pool pump to fail, the pool is full of sand from the construction, the house is a mess inside and out due to all the dust and of course the structural damage caused by the vibrations and compactors have cracks appearing in the walls and ceilings,” Mr Haskins said.

“They said it would have little effect on us and that the trees and native plants which were our natural barrier would not be touched, but it’s all gone and a fat sandpit for hoons is left.

“You can not imagine the noise increase and dust and dirt not to mention the litter, we spend about an hour every few days picking it up and my poor neighbour who has a disability is unable to do it herself.”

He said residents were asking the City to repair damage to their homes and install a noise barrier between them and Spearwood Avenue.

City of Cockburn engineering and works director Charles Sullivan said trees would be replaced but no noise wall would be installed.

“Open graded asphalt is being used on this road which reduces traffic noise compared to the normal dense graded asphalt,” he said.

“Trees and vegetation had to be removed as part of the construction process and the City will be replanting the trees and plants as part of this project.

“A safety guardrail will also be installed along the eastern verge of Spearwood Avenue, to help prevent vehicles from entering the embankment.”

Works from Yangebup Road to Beeliar Drive is due for completion by Christmas, while the area from Barrington Street to Yangebup Road is expected to be finished by February.