Kiama's Matt Robertson (pictured) and his wife, Natalie, were forced to move out of their Coryule Place property due to noise from the Princes Highway. Picture: DYLAN ROBINSON
A YEARS-old campaign for a good night's sleep has forced Kiama homeowners Matt and Natalie Robertson to pack up and move house.
The couple own a home on Coryule Place and have been subjected to growing noise from the Princes Highway since the North Kiama bypass was built.
Data collected by NSW Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) in 2010 showed the noise was loud enough to qualify for assistance under the state government's noise abatement program, with levels reaching 69 decibels during the day and 63 decibels at night.
Despite three years and several correspondences with two MPs to have a sound barrier constructed, the Robertsons have been unsuccessful and moved house.
"Matt just has not slept at all," Mrs Robertson said.
"If he worked late, he'd stay away instead of coming home, just to get some sleep."
The couple is renting out the Coryule Place property, with attempts to sell it so far unsuccessful.
"Two agents told us people loved the property, but the noise was unbearable," Mr Robertson said.
Member for Kiama Gareth Ward and Parliamentary Secretary for Transport and Roads John Ajaka inspected the property last year and RMS offered double glazing. Mrs Robertson argued the measure was a "band-aid solution" because the treatment would not cover all windows and use of their backyard would continue to be restricted.
"Our bathroom window is 23 metres away, level with the highway, but they won't do that window because it's not a habitable room, yet that's where the noise comes in," she said.
"We can't sit here and have a barbecue or use our backyard to relax."
Mr Robertson said the only viable option was a noise barrier, but Mr Ward said, with the state government focusing funding efforts on new roads rather than retrofitting old ones, the matter would need further representations to Minister for Roads Duncan Gay.
"I understand their frustration," he said.
"Absolutely cost is a factor and it's going to be tough to get."