The Roads and Maritime Services has said it has been in regular contact and meetings with the McFadyen family in Trewilga since consultation on the Newell Highway Trewilga Realignment Project began in 2012.
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In a story the Champion Post published on November 4, the McFadyens voiced their concerns on what the project was doing to their lifestyle surrounding privacy, noise and pollution.
As part of the $36 million upgrade, a section of the highway is being relocated to within 150 metres of the family’s property.
In a statement the RMS said it has been in regular contact with the McFadyen family in an effort to resolve issues relating to the Newell Highway upgrade.
“The family has met with project team members eight times and there have been dozens of phone conversations and email exchanges since consultation started in 2012,” the statement said.
“This is in addition to general community engagement sessions.
“RMS is committed to working with the McFadyen family and has engaged an independent expert to determine the best way forward and the most suitable treatments, which may include noise mitigation to the home and property, installing insulation, air conditioning, double glazing, tree planting and screens.”
RMS said the request from the family for a one metre noise mound with a 1.8 metre high, 800 metre long fence is being considered and follows a previous agreement to plant a screen of trees.
“Tree planting is generally considered a property improvement which does not require compensation,” the statement read.
“A proposed heavy vehicle rest area was also removed from the project to further reduce noise and visual impacts to the McFayden’s property.
“RMS has also agreed to carry out additional noise and dust monitoring as requested by the McFadyens and will consider screening the road or the property if night lights are found to be a problem when the road is opened.
“The Review of Environmental Factors for the Trewilga realignment addresses impacts before and after work for soil, water, air quality, smoke and dust as well as landscape and visual impacts and indicates the impacts on air quality and pollution will be similar to existing conditions.
“The completed project will be about 150 metres from the McFadyen residence with an existing rail corridor between the new road and the property.”
