RESIDENTS living in a once-secluded Evanston Park street have raised concerns about their houses cracking as a result of the construction of the Gawler East Link Road (GELR).
Homeowners on Selway Place, situated behind Potts Road, are seeing the $60 million thoroughfare constructed outside their back fences, with one home’s perimeter just seven metres from where the road will be located.
The road is also raised behind the Selway Place properties, with residents’ view towards Gawler-One Tree Hill Road now blocked, and concerns motorists will be able to peer into their yards when travelling along the GELR.
Residents Ann and John Perry started to notice cracks in the walls and floors of their home after construction began, which they were certain were a direct result of the project.
Another homeowner, Emma Tassell, reported that the sealing on her windows and other glass became detached as a result of her house shaking during heavy construction.
Mr Perry said a Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure representative had been to their home to view the cracking and told them it was within acceptable standards.
He said the visit was part of a wider experience of poor communication with the Department regarding the concerns of residents, which had occurred over six months.
“At the onset I had what I thought was reasonable contact with the project (consultants); they listened to our concerns, especially in regards to acoustics, and assured us they would address any cracks or issues in the property while construction is going on,” Mr Perry said.
“I’m very confident if there was no construction seven metres from our boundary, we wouldn’t be faced with the cracks in the house.
“I also have real safety concerns if a (vehicle) accident comes across the top of the road (once it’s opened).
“Could it crash through our backyard, or our neighbours’ backyard?”
Mr Perry also raised concerns about the value of his home, saying he isn’t sure he sees the house as his family’s “forever home” anymore.
“I’m really concerned that I’ll be out of pocket significantly if I want to sell, and if I do want to sell, can I sell?” he said.
“I wouldn’t want to buy this looking out at the backyard.”
The Selway Place residents met with representatives from DPTI and Gawler Council, including Gawler mayor Karen Redman, on Monday night, with Mr Perry saying he came out of the meeting more confident that better communication between the three parties would continue.
In response to the residents’ concerns, a DPTI spokesperson said the department was “aware of the concerns raised by the Selway Place residents regarding the construction of the Gawler East Link Road,” but did not address the concerns directly.
Ms Redman said she was also aware of the residents’ concerns and that DPTI had inspected their homes.
“Council staff are working closely with DPTI who are responsible for community engagement as part of the project’s delivery, and will continue to do so through to the end of the project,” she said.
“Council staff will continue to advocate on behalf of the impacted community to ensure appropriate and reasonable outcomes are achieved for them through this project’s delivery.”