Greens and coucnil push for barriers to deflect effects of noise from trucks and trains as new study adds to EPA findings
By Ruza Zivkusic-Aftasi | December 14, 2012
A recent study of truck movements in Melbourne’s west has found noise levels to be high, according to the Maribyrnong City Council.
Together with SLR Global Environmental Solutions, the council has undertaken noise testing in Footscray along the rail corridor and other key freight routes, which has found truck noise to be above normal levels for residential living.
The council is calling on the Victorian Government to install noise barriers along the regional rail corridor in the area.
During its study, the council has placed noise loggers at five locations in Footscray for one week each, measuring noise levels.
It has found noise to be particularly high around Moore Street.
Greens MP Colleen Hartland wants the government to act immediately, saying sound barriers are needed.
“There is a reason why sound barriers are erected – excessive noise impacts health and well-being, including cardiovascular and physiological effect and sleep disturbance,” Hartland says.
“However, a number of solutions to this truck problem are ready to implement; all that is required is the political will of the government to not neglect the west, just as they promised in their election commitments.
“A night time curfew must be introduced on Moore Street. The Westgate ramps truck bypass must be built, which will re-direct 10,000 trucks off residential streets every day, and a greater effort must be made to move freight onto rail – each train takes 110 trucks off our streets.”
The state’s environmental watchdog EPA Victoria is conducting a year-long monitoring program of air pollution and noise impacts on Francis Street in Yarraville.
Early results showed noise levels on that street, which is estimated at hosting 20,000 trucks and cars a week between Williamstown Road and Whitehall Street, led to readings “high enough to be of significant concern”.
These are being measured in fortnightly blocks periodically.
These were found to sit between 70 and 80 decibels in an 18-hour daily measurement period, “which is sometimes known as the ‘average maximum’ noise level'”, the report states.
