Noise makes Highway hell for residents

A group of Eaton residents is demanding the State Government takes action to reduce the noise from cars driving on Forrest Highway.

Home-owners living adjacent to the highway, near the Sanctuary Golf Course, are frustrated after several attempts at receiving a response about the type of seal used on the road.

A petition signed by 147 residents was last week sent to Environment Minister Albert Jacob and Main Roads WA.

It follows the Dardanup Shire Council informing residents the matter was "out of their hands".

Eaton resident Frans Saenen said noise from traffic was the worst it had been in his 10 years living at his home.

"The top-seal they have resurfaced the highway with is the roughest you can get," Mr Saenen said.

Mr Saenen conducted noise tests in his backyard and said the results prompted a council representative to visit the house to perform further tests.

"His readings were higher than my own and both sets considerably exceeded the legislated maximum," Mr Saenen said.

He said his own tests had reached up to 80 decibels, with 45 decibels the acceptable level.

"The shire told me there was nothing they could do so I've had to take it further," he said.

"The high noise levels experienced in this area are hazardous to our health, unnecessarily reducing our quality of life."

A Main Roads spokeswoman said the surface was appropriate.

"Main Roads is not responsible for mitigating noise in residential areas that have been built in the vicinity of an existing main road or highway," she said.

"We will consider using alternative lower noise surfacing treatments in the future when the seal needs replacing. The current seal was applied in 2010 and has an anticipated life span of 15 years."