Residents across Perth who have been affected by the construction of Metronet have been up in arms over the Government’s careless and reckless approach towards engagement, communication, and remediation with impacted households.
Opposition Leader and Shadow Transport Minister Shane Love MLA said many residents had contacted him reporting issues relating to poor planning, lacklustre communication, and unacceptable damage caused to their homes without recompense or remorse.
Mr Love raised the matter in Parliament this week to highlight the distress residents living adjacent to Metronet works are experiencing.
“We’ve seen property damage in Bayswater, peoples’ right to peace and privacy in their homes intruded upon in Thornlie, and ongoing roadworks and delays in Canning Vale,” Mr Love said.
“In Victoria Park, residents are at the end of their tether, with works causing extensive damage to their homes and significant disruption to their everyday lives.”
Mr Love said Beatty Avenue resident Gary Sandford had sustained more than $50,000 worth of damage to his home.
“The damage to Mr Sanford’s property includes floorboard movement, damage to house stumps, his verge and front garden. He has also experienced physical intimidation and targeting from Metronet workers when he has approached them with concerns.”
Mr Love said Gresham Road resident Di Piper also had significant property damage, but had been unable to access the pre-condition survey report organised as part of the Metronet works.
“Her gate won’t close, the kitchen benchtop now has a gap, the bathroom vanity has come off the wall, floorboards are moving, tiles are cracked, her stairs have warped, and the left side of her house has dropped.
“Despite this obvious damage, she has had very little contact with the Metronet team, no offer of a dilapidation report, and she fears she will not be compensated for the damage caused by these Metronet works.”
Mr Love said Mr Sandford and Ms Piper’s stories were replicated by countless others on the official Metronet facebook page.
“It’s unacceptable that people like Gary and Di are being left out of pocket financially, and dealing with a great deal of distress, as a result of poor processes and communication from the State Government.
“I call on the Minister for Transport to apologise to impacted residents, address these shortcomings, and ensure that residents are adequately compensated for damage to their homes.”
The Opposition will continue to monitor these issues closely and urge impacted residents to make their concerns known.
