Residents say a new $2.7 million noise wall built on Captain Cook Drive at Caringbah is ineffective.
One family says they are experiencing more noise from big trucks because trees that previously provided a natural barrier were cut down so the wall could be built.
Residents began agitating 14 years ago for the structure, near the Gannons Road roundabout. It was completed in October.
The structure is 330 metres long, 2.4 metres high, with an additional 1.2 metres of clear acrylic on top, allowing light to pass through.
Nicola and Kane Lawson said the proposed noise wall was highlighted by real estate agents when they bought their home in Murrami Avenue five years ago.
“But, it hasn’t made any difference,” she said.
“We think it was actually better before they cut down the trees.”
Mr Lawson, a builder, is critical of the materials used in the structure, and the couple believe the wall should have been made from concrete.
Sue Runco, one of the leaders of the campaign in 2004 to get a noise wall, said she and her neighbours were very disappointed.
“It’s still just as noisy,” she said.
“It should be solid cement, like the wall installed by the child care centre up the road.
”How on earth could it have cost $2.7 million?
“They said they would put in mature plants on the other side of the wall, but they are just seedlings.”
Ms Runco said the speed limit on that section of road should be reduced from 70km/h to 60km/h, which would mean big trucks not having to brake as much as they approached the Gannons Road roundabout.
A Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) spokesman defended the structure and said it had created “a quieter suburb”.
“The noise wall is an ultra-resilient, high-performance modular panel, specifically designed for the extreme conditions associated with road, rail and civil infrastructure environments,” he said.
“The wall texture and colour fits in with the local landscape, is low maintenance and discourages graffiti and vandalism.
“The wall meets RMS noise mitigation and safety specifications and offers similar noise reduction to full concrete panels but are lighter, less expensive to install, used nationally and better for the environment.
“A noise analysis was completed as part of the environmental assessment by an independent consultant, to identify the expected level of noise reduction.
“There are currently no plans for a speed limit change, but RMS will continue to work with the local residents to ensure noise disturbance is reduced.”
