Barry Watson
| The following is written to highlight the noise problems impacting
on a number of residents living near the Eastern Freeway between Doncaster
Road and Springvale Road.
This submission stresses that noise problems on the Stage 2 extension (Doncaster Road to Sprinvale Road) must be resolved before any work on Stage 3 (Springvale Road to Ringwood) is considered or undertaken. The common sleep-disturbing noise source at night is big trucks or B-double trucks that use freeways during the the early morning hours, between 2 am and and 6 am. In cases such as the Eastern Freeway, where a residence is set back and elevated above the “amphitheatre” of the Koonung Creek valley, these trucks travelling at 100 kph cause low frequency noise which is amplified by the valley topography. The problem is worst where houses are set back and elevated. Line-of-sight to the noise wall on the opposite side causes noise to be deflected back at the residence. There is a push these days for approval of bigger trucks with more carrying capacity. This will only add to the night-time noise problem, particularly in valley amphitheatre freeways. Residents who live near freeways are entitled to sleep undisturbed throughout the night. It is irresponsible for anyone to tell these people that it is their problem because they choose to live there. It was not that long ago that if someone complained about working in an office full of smokers, then that person had to suffer the consequences because it was his or her choice to work there. Not any more. Overseas, 60 % of countries have a standard that limits noise throughout the night-time period (midnight to 6 am). VicRoads has failed to adopt a night-time standard. VicRoads’ noise policy is 63 dB(A) L10 18 hour. This means the (A) weighted measurement of noise for 10 % of the time between 6 am and midnight. The (A) weighted factor means the ambient measurement of noise minus 20 decibels from low frequency noise, i.e. trucks, motorbikes etc. When the complaint concerns truck noise and a low component of high frequency and background noises exist, such as at night-time, the (A) weighted scale is misleading as to the full extent of the problem. Overseas, 30 % of countries adopt better noise attenuation standards than VicRoads. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends 58 dB(A) L10 16 hour (daytime) and 45 dB(A) L10 8 hour (night-time). The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) describes the range between 58 dB(A) L10 18 hr and 68 dB(A) L10 18 hr as “undesirable”. Australian Standards 1055 1978 recommends 55 dB(A) L10 18hr. OECD and Australian Acoustical Laboratories support WHO recommendations. In New South Wales a new Environmental Criteria Policy recommends 55
db(A) Leq daytime and 50 dB(A) Leq night-time. In Victoria both the
Labor Government and the EPA promote “best practice” in their policies,
but are refusing to have their policies written into legislation.
Archives of the Centre for Sensory Research `Community Noise’. Document prepared for the World Health Organisation 1995. Extracts from this document commenting on various recommendations and health issues link frequent sleep disturbance with cardiovascular disease. Conclusion VicRoads’ noise policy does not provide adequate protection for all people living near freeways, particularly freeways built in an amphitheatre valley environment. The health and well being of people should not be compromised to build better roads for cars and the transport industry. The Carr Marshall Day Noise Report for the Eastern Freeway Stage 2 made recommendations which were ignored to save money. The cost of noise walls on the Eastern Freeway to Springvale Road was about 11 % of the total project cost ($28 m. out of $260 m.). More money must be spent to comply with WHO recommendations (daytime and night-time) and World Best Practice in what is supposed to be the “world’s most liveable city”. Under the laws of `creating a nuisance’, the best solutions to noise problems must be adopted and, if not successful, then trucks must travel at 60 kph at night. Immediate action must be instigated by the Government to adopt the following remedial solutions: a) VicRoads’ noise policy be amended to comply with WHO recommendations or the NSW/EPA Environmental Noise Criteria; b) Night-time speed restrictions of 60 kph for trucks in a designated lane. This would add only 5 minutes to the trip between Springvale Road and Hoddle Street and use less fuel; c) A sound absorptive noise wall treatment be applied where residences have line of sight to the noise reflective wall on the opposite side of the freeway; d) An independent study be undertaken to provide accurate figures on traffic volumes and day and night noise levels; e) A study to determine the traffic impact at the city end of the Eastern Freeway and at Ringwood; f) A ban be introduced on the use of “Jacob” brakes on trucks on both the Freeway and off-ramps; g) Noise monitoring on the Eastern Freeway be done as per AS 1055.2
1984.
World’s Best Practice is achievable. The Government must acknowledge traffic noise as a serious health issue and be prepared to allocate sufficient funding for noise attenuation measures in both new and existing road projects to achieve the best standards operating overseas. |