By Casey Neill
A push for sound barriers along the Dandenong Bypass in Keysborough is gaining momentum.
Greater Dandenong councillors voted to advocate for the devices between Chandler and Perry roads at their Monday 23 October meeting.
Councillor Matthew Kirwan raised the issue, explaining that there was a sound barrier shielding residents west of Perry Road and that one was planned east of Chandler Road.
“This leaves no sound barrier along the bypass planned for between Perry Road and Chandler Road,” he said.
“The reason given by VicRoads for not building a barrier between these locations is that homes are more than 100 metres from the bypass.
“Not only is this a small distance but due to a largely treeless retarding basin being all that is between the homes and the bypass, there is no natural sound barrier either.
“Residents are already experiencing increasing noise.”
Cr Kirwan’s successful motion included writing to Keysborough MP Martin Pakula, Roads Minister Luke Donnellan and VicRoads expressing urgent need for the barriers.
Keysborough South Action Group spokeswoman Nina Kelly said hooning was an ongoing problem on the bypass and the noise was affecting residents.
“Barriers should be provided to all residents on the south side of the Dandenong Bypass,” she said.
“The precedent has already been set for residents between Chapel Road and Perry Road.
“The distance between the Dandenong Bypass and houses should not be taken into account.
“The meters shouldn’t matter because sound does travel.”
