Residents make noise over rowdy hall use

By Shaun Inguanzo
SPRINGVALE residents who claim to have been plagued by excessive noise for five years will finally have their concerns investigated by Greater Dandenong Council.
The council has said it will also investigate the leasing agreement it has over a hall with a community group after concerns by a Greater Dandenong councillor that the hall is being sub-let without permission.
Residents of Dowling Street have lodged a petition with the council after years of what they say is loud music and other noise coming from a local hall at 5.30am on Saturday mornings and 8.30am on Sunday mornings.
According to Noble Park North Ward councillor Maria Sampey, who has received the petition, the neighbouring hall is currently leased by a local community group.
She said petitioners had complained of subwoofers and drum noises at 5.30am on Saturday mornings, which disrupted their sleep, for the past five years.
“I am disappointed the council hasn’t done anything earlier,” she said.
Cr Sampey said she then inquired with council officers as to who was using the hall and found it may not be the community group.
She said she had asked the council to investigate whether the group had breached its lease by sub-letting to another group without council permission.
Greater Dandenong development services director Mal Baker said the council received a noise complaint from residents in 2000, but had not received another until March this year.
“They were investigated (in 2000) but at the time there was insufficient evidence to proceed,” he said.
“Council provided guidance to support claims if the complainants wished to proceed.”
Cr Sampey has called for an investigation into the hall’s use to stop the unwanted noise and determine whether those sub-letting it are permitted to do so under the current lease.
Mr Baker said the council was already investigating the situation.
“That complaint is currently under investigation and council officers will take the appropriate action if there is sufficient evidence to prove the complaint,” he said.