Submission to VicRoads Traffic Noise Reduction Policy Review.
Maribyrnong City Council welcomes the opportunity to provide an initial submission to the
Traffic Noise Reduction Policy Review. It is our understanding that a Discussion Paper will be
published later in the year that will give Council an opportunity to provide a more detailed
submission to the policy.
In the meantime as a precursor to the Discussion Paper, Council will provide a summary of what
it considers to be the major discussion points for the policy review.
Introduction
According to Vic Roads1 FAQs, the basis for the current policy was written in 1989 and was
subsequently updated in 1997 and 2005. There was no representation from the health sector on
the Committee overseeing the original policy formulation in 1989.
The existing Traffic Noise Reduction Policy2 states that:
‘Road traffic noise is a significant environmental problem, particularly in residential areas.
VicRoads is committed to taking whatever steps it can to reduce the overall level of traffic
noise…..’
The current review ‘seeks to balance economic, environmental and social needs within the
existing infrastructure, as well addressing potential issues in future transport and land use
planning’. There is no reference to the myriad of health problems associated with road noise.
The only reference made about health is on VicRoads FAQs, which states that:
‘There is evidence from European research that high levels of traffic noise can increase the risk of
diseases such as hypertension, heart disease, stroke and diabetes. The degree of increased risk is
not known with certainty. There has been no conclusive research regarding the heath impact of
traffic noise in Australia.’
There is now compelling, peer-reviewed evidence, that constant traffic noise above varying
levels can cause serious health problems for all sectors of the community, with a known degree
of increased risk. The Precautionary Principle3, written into many Federal and State policies,
states that:
‘When an activity raises threats of harm to human health or the environment, precautionary
measures should be taken even if some cause and effect relationships are not fully established
scientifically. In this context the proponent of an activity, rather than the public, should bear the
burden of proof.’
The World Health Organization (WHO)4 recently recognized environmental noise as harmful
pollution, with adverse psychosocial and physiological effects on public health.
1
http://consult.vicroads.vic.gov.au/trafficnoise/faqs#8835
https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/planning-and-projects/environment/noise
3
http://www.sehn.org/wing.html
4
http://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/environment-and-health/noise/noise
2
The WHO guidelines for night noise recommends an annual average noise level of less than 40
dB outside of bedrooms to prevent adverse health effects and less than 35 dB in classrooms to
allow good teaching and learning conditions.
According to research5, the cardiovascular effect of environmental noise exposure represents an
increased incidence of arterial hypertension, myocardial infarction, and stroke. It was found that
there was a 40 per cent higher risk of myocardial infarction in people exposed to road traffic
noise exceeding 50 decibels. Exposure to residential road traffic noise was also associated with a
higher risk of diabetes6. There may also be an increased likelihood of some mental health
symptoms, including anxiety and depression7.
Francis St and Somerville Rd
The EPA8 recently undertook noise monitoring on Francis Street for 12 months, concluding in
December 2013. The average noise level on a weekday was found to be 76dB. During Sunday
curfew hours the average noise level was 71.1dB. These levels continue to exceed World Health
Organisation guidelines and are high enough to have a serious detrimental effect on the health,
sleep and well being of residents, seriously diminishing their quality of life.
There are over 2,000 children enrolled at the four schools along Francis St and Somerville Rd.
There are also a number of child care centres and kindergartens affected - Norfolk St Childcare
Centre, Yarraville Community Kindergarten, Yarraville Community Centre Occasional Care,
Merriwa Kinder, Clare Court Kinder and Child Care, Dickory Dock Kids Child Care (Bishop St,
Kingsville). All these facilities are adversely impacted by noise and air pollution.
At the levels of 70dB measured outside during school hours, studies conclude that children’s
learning ability may be affected and reading ability may be retarded.
Recommendations
1. The Traffic Noise Reduction Policy needs to consider the impact of future scenarios,
given that the truck traffic from the port will significantly increase over the next 20
years.
2. Fund studies to assess the impact of increased container traffic on residential street
noise in Maribyrnong.
3. Current objectives are out of step with best practice. Noise level objectives should be
aligned with WHO guidelines for Community Noise9.
4. Night noise levels should be aligned with current WHO guidelines10 .
5. Regular inspections of the older truck fleet focussing on engine brakes and noisy, old
engines.
5
http://eurheartj.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2014/03/09/eurheartj.ehu030
http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/121-a60/
7
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969710006625
8
http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/our-work/current-issues/odour-and-air-quality/trucks-and-the-inner-west
9
http://whqlibdoc.who.int/hq/1999/a68672.pdf
10
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/noise/health_effects.htm
6
6. Education program on driver behaviour, including speed, obeying truck traffic signs, low
bridge signs, adherence to school hours and night curfews on Somerville Rd, Francis St.
and Moore St. Ensure containers are correctly fastened.
7. Ensure roads are regularly maintained and service trenches properly filled.
8. Prevent trucks idling unnecessarily in residential zones.
9. 24hr access to the Port of Melbourne needs to be managed to reduce noise impacts to
residents.
10. Noise level objectives should be amended in Requirements of Developers – Noise
Sensitive Uses11 to reflect current research and WHO guidelines.
11. Provide funding for soundproofing for residences most affected by noise, to reduce
impacts on health and wellbeing.
12. Reduce the number of trucks using residential areas as a shortcut to the Port of
Melbourne and major highways e.g. Francis St. and Somerville Rd.
13. Review effectiveness of controls over the use of truck engine exhaust brakes in built up
residential precincts and ensure funding is available to enforce these controls,
particularly during night time periods.
14. Ensure the health of the community can be protected more effectively by ensuring
existing truck curfews are rigidly enforced.
15. In partnership with industry and State and Federal governments, seek alternative power
sources for trucks, including electric vehicle technology, to reduce direct diesel
emissions and noise.
11
https://www1.vicroads.vic.gov.au/planning-and-projects/environment/noise