Work began last Friday on the eagerly-anticipated development, which will offer a 65-bed residential care facility and 22 independent living units.

And, construction is due for completion in 2017.

However, within hours of work getting underway, council, the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and the Muswellbrook Chronicle received a number of grievances from locals in Cassidy Avenue.

While most asked to remain anonymous, Jennifer Case was keen to air her objections.

“We were told there would be minimal impact on the residents; and there wouldn’t be many trees removed,” she said.

“But, I believe they’ve breached noise pollution on the very first day and already displaced a heap of trees.

“We have a decibel reader – it reaches 54.7 during the Upper Hunter Show, which is expected.

“Today, it exceeded 65 with the noise from the mulcher.

“We spoke to the site manager and didn’t get much of a response; that then forced us to contact council and the EPA.

“If they’re doing things like this on the first day, what will happen when construction really starts?

“That’s not taking in how dangerous the street will be with the extra traffic either.

“We attended a public hearing when the development was originally proposed.

“But, I feel residents received a lot of lip service and no genuine answers.”

Mrs Case admitted she had reservations about the Calvary Retirement Community being located behind the Muswellbrook Showground.

“I don’t have a problem with a development such as this in town; it’s clearly needed,” she said.

“However, we thought it would be an aged care facility, now it’s a retirement village of substantial size.

“I was under the impression Brennan Park was donated to the people [by the Catholic Church] – and it should have been developed for the benefit of the community.

“Although it’s too late now, I think this development could have been in a better location.

“There were plenty of vacant blocks more suitable in Muswellbrook.”

Council general manager Steve McDonald said staff was liaising with Richard Crookes Construction to address the matter.

“We are certainly taking it [the complaints] seriously,” he told the Chronicle.

“We’ll check the relevant aspects, work with the community, and ensure the contractor operates within their consents.”

A spokeswoman from the EPA said council was the appropriate regulatory authority for this kind of issue.

“But, I can confirm we only received one call about noise from the construction site,” she said.