Residents living near the NorthConnex road project have slammed a decision to move the new highway 10 metres closer to their homes.

Key points: One family says they were devastated to learn the project would be 10 metres closer

One family says they were devastated to learn the project would be 10 metres closer They said it was laughable to be offered movie tickets as compensation

They said it was laughable to be offered movie tickets as compensation NorthConnex says movie tickets part of "ongoing dialogue"

The boundary change will significantly devalue their properties in Wahroonga, on Sydney's upper north shore, but they say the only compensation they have been offered is free movie tickets.

Leading land and environment lawyer David Newhouse said the situation was repeating itself across Sydney, as the NSW Government pushes ahead with major infrastructure projects including WestConnex, Sydney Metro and Sydney Light Rail.

Mr Newhouse said he had been approached by many other people in similar predicaments, but said there was nothing he can do for them because the Government has no legal obligation to pay them compensation.

Katherine and Jaime Garrick live in Wahroonga. Their house on Coonanbarra Road is one of dozens of properties backing onto the $3 billion NorthConnex project, which will connect the M1 and M2 motorways.

The Garricks said being given movie tickets as compensation was "laughable". ( ABC News: Kathryn Ward )

The Garricks told the ABC they decided not to sell their home two years ago, when NorthConnex project engineers told them the new motorway wall would only move five metres closer to their back fence.

They were devastated to learn last week that the wall will now move 15 metres closer to their home.

"The line that I get from them when I say 'That's unacceptable, that's what we based our decision to stay on' is 'oh, I don't know why you were told that' with no accountability, nothing other than 'don't know why you were told that. That wasn't me' and 'this is what we're doing'," Ms Garrick said.

"It's awful, the stress for a start but just the reality of... a freeway fence moving 15 metres closer. That starts the dive for the tunnel that means every truck travelling south to Sydney will be travelling 15 metres closer to our back fence."

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Ms Garrick said when she complained to NorthConnex about the boundary change, as well as construction noise and dust, she was sent free movie tickets.

"I've said to them 'how can you do this to people?'" she said.

"And just not have any recourse for them to come back and say 'here's a couple of movie tickets to get you out of the house for an hour'. I personally find it quite laughable."

The NorthConnex road project will connect Sydney's M1 and M2 motorways. ( NorthConnex )

Ms Garrick said some of her neighbours had also been sent movie tickets when they complained.

Jaime Garrick, a local real estate agent, said properties on the street would be significantly devalued as a result of the boundary change.

"I'm in sales and this the worst sales job I've ever seen, pulling the blanket over your eyes and then suddenly you've got something completely different," Mr Garrick said.

"It's just so bad, so bad."

Mr Newhouse, who is representing about 80 people whose properties have been acquired for government infrastructure projects said the law should be changed to provide some compensation to people who decide to stay in their homes, like the Garricks.

"Unfortunately the laws in NSW don't provide compensation for people who live right next to these major projects across Sydney," Mr Newhouse said.

"We receive inquiries every week about people living next to these freeways and major projects. They are not entitled to compensation and there's a real need for the government to step up and provide reforms to pay compensation to these affected families".

'Ongoing dialogue' with residents, NorthConnex says

NorthConnex general manager Daniel Powrie told the ABC the company had been in regular contact with the Garricks.

"We are always talking to the residents," Mr Powrie said.

He said the project regularly provided movie tickets to residents as part of "ongoing dialogue" with them.

"The movie tickets are only part and parcel of the entire project," he said.

"We're providing better connectivity to the entire network. There will be some disruption but we will minimise that disruption.

"We ensure that the residents are always aware of the project. We're always talking to them. We minimise the impact whereever necessary."

A spokesman for the Government said it was mindful of the impact major projects had on residents and it had mechanisms in place to assist them, including noise and pollution mitigation, property acquisition and temporary relocation.