Roar of victory

By Lia Bichel
IT’S a small win for a big battle … that’s what Noble Park resident Georgio Migliaccio said about a recent VCAT decision on a Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) application.
The City of Greater Dandenong Council’s development services director Mal Baker confirmed VCAT directed a permit be issued to allow high-speed drive-and-ride days involving cars limited to a decibel reading of 75dBa.
The council had rejected the application last year in support of Noble Park residents, and in October, MRC announced they were going to take the matter to VCAT.
Mr Migliaccio said he attended the hearing in February and was recently notified about the decision.
“We got a letter a couple days ago stating VCAT decided in favour of MRC. But (MRC’s) initial requested was for seven days a week racing, and they agreed to amend it so they can only hold a maximum of 50 events per year,” Mr Migliaccio said.
“Ideally VCAT would have upheld council’s decision (to refuse a permit) but it’s a bit of a win and I am happy with it.”
But MRC spokesman Wade Calderwood said the application was not intended to allow drive-and-ride events seven days a week, and he was pleased with the decision to hold 50 events per year.
“(The decision) ensured residents have a level of comfort, but it was never our intention to hold events seven days a week,” he said.
“We think it’s a very professional national business having joined our venue (for the high-speed drive and ride days) and we will ensure they stay in the appropriate noise level and comply with the permit.”
While Mr Migliaccio said though he and neighbouring residents were satisfied about the decision, they were still disappointed with the loud noise echoing from the grounds.
“The noise is a continuous problem, and it will not end overnight. It’s a big battle and we are in it for the long run,” he said.
“We will hopefully talk to Melbourne Racing Club and the Sandown Park general manager and work at it.”
Paperbark Ward councillor Roz Blades said she was pleased with the VCAT decision but said she continued to receive complaints from residents about the noise.
“It’s a small win, a foot in the door. This was a different permit to all the other permits at Sandown Park, but this is the one that enabled us to get our teeth into it,” she said,
“It lets people know the council supports the residents. Not a week goes by that a resident doesn’t call me about the noise. We are still waiting to discuss those other uses (and noise levels) with the Melbourne Racing Club.”
Mr Calderwood refused to comment on noise levels from other events held at Sandown Park.