When retirees Neil and Bronwen Herbert purchased their property on Fitzroy Court, on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, a decade ago they thought they would spend the rest of their lives there.
Key points:
- 12 home owners have just been informed their properties could be compulsorily acquired for the project
- The government has been resuming homes for the project since 2002
- The homes would be required for stage two, which is yet to be funded
"It's not a house, it's our home," Ms Herbert said as she broke down in tears.
"Our dog is buried in the backyard. We didn't expect this in the slightest."
They are among a dozen families living on Kawana Island in Parrearra who have just learned their homes could be bulldozed for stage two of the Mooloolah River Interchange.
The Queensland government has already acquired about 130 properties around Mooloolaba and Mountain Creek for the first stage of the project.
Mr Herbert said they had originally been informed a new road and a light rail line would be built along a wide strip of vacant land behind their homes.
The proposed alignment would see the transport corridor running through the Fitzroy Court properties.
"It's been blown way out of proportion. Two lanes this way, two lanes that, heavy rail," Mr Herbert said.
"I'm in absolute shock. I've been to my doctor because I'm having problems talking. I just don't need this at my age."
Railway through the patio
Many of the affected home owners are retirees, including Alec and Christina Kutek.
They also care for Ms Kutek's 94-year-old mother who has Alzheimer's disease.
"It's like a double whammy. We don't need this," Ms Kutek said.
"Everything on this island is close to us — our hospital, our doctors, our shops. To give it up is not easy.
"We were told the railway's going through our back patio … so it's a big shock."
One resident had her property on the market but the sale fell through when the buyer learned of the plans.
Another home owner sold a few weeks ago before the state government letters were sent, leaving the buyer to now deal with an uncertain future.
Homes on one side of Fitzroy Court will be resumed, but homes on the opposite side will also be impacted.
Those opposite were also fearful of how the project would affect them.
Retiree Trish Horan only learned of the plans after speaking with her neighbours.
"I can understand them [state government] seeing the people across the road, but we're here too. We should be told about it as well," Ms Horan said.
Ms Horan's daughter Pauline Preston lives with her.
"We were devastated," Ms Preston said.
"Everyone is so upset because either they're being forced out of their homes or their property values have just gone down the toilet.
"Who wants to buy a home next to a railway?"
'Planned to death'
Earlier this month Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey announced yet another round of community consultation on the project, which is still in the design phase.
The first round of land resumptions began in 2002 for stage one, which is fully funded but yet to be built.
Stage two has not been funded, with the entire project estimated to cost $780 million.
In response to concerns raised by the Parrearra residents, Mr Bailey said the department would take into account "their particular circumstances".
"We are engaging with potentially affected property owners as is normal process," Minister Bailey said.
"The Mooloolah River Interchange is an important project for a growing Sunshine Coast and the Palaszczuk government is committed to delivering the future infrastructure needed."
Deputy opposition leader and Kawana MP Jarrod Bleijie said the project had been "planned to death" and the government's actions were "disgraceful".
"These properties on Fitzroy Court were never needed, wanted, or required. These families are now losing their homes because the planning wasn't done properly," he said.
"The residents on the other side … instead of their quiet little street they will be faced with a big brick or timber wall."
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