By CAMERON LUCADOU-WELLS
RESIDENTS near Sandown racetrack want to put the brakes on the frequent roar of motor racing at the venue.
The final straw for them was news of the return of V8 Supercars event, the Sandown 500, to the track on September 15-16 after its hiatus at Phillip Island.
Georgio Migliaccio of Noble Park can see the track from his yard. He’s not looking forward to the Sandown 500 but says he’s bombarded on most weekends by the noise from car club events at the track.
“You wouldn’t be able to have a barbecue in the backyard. We have Little Athletics at Ross Reserve and we can’t even hear what’s happening because the auto clubs are on at the same time.
“You try to escape but most people can’t get away – the elderly, those who aren’t working can’t just get away from it.”
Another nearby resident Faye Clue said she felt “powerless” against the “deafening” machines.
“Going outside is a nightmare. Families with small children won’t play in their own yards on a race day.”
Greater Dandenong Council monitors the track to ensure noise doesn’t exceed the permitted limit of 95 decibels, and track owner Melbourne Racing Club has built a noise wall. None of those measures have brought comfort to residents.
“I don’t think 95 decibels is enough of a limit. It’s still quite loud when it’s going all day,” Mr Migliaccio said.
The club is restricted to five major motor-racing events a year, but this doesn’t take into account the auto club meets held most weekends.
Mr Migliaccio is writing a letter on behalf of the track’s neighbours to the council, seeking a review of MRC’s permit.
Greater Dandenong chief executive John Bennie said that noise limits were “invariably” complied with, but “there’s not an event goes by that residents don’t have discomfort in their home”. Cr Peter Brown said there should be a reduction in auto club events.
“I was near Noble Park station on a Sunday and there was a hell of a racket from a private auto club meet. They were probably under the 95 decibel limit but the noise was travelling over the other side of the railway line.
“The national and international events are very successful and important for the broad commercial community but the increase of private car club events which provide minimal return to the MRC could jeopardise their permits.”
A racing club spokesman said it had increased its engagement with residents in the past five-six years through regular mail drops and a residents page on its sandown.net.au website.
“The MRC is enabled to stagger the staging of all five motorsport events throughout the year, providing residents sizeable intervals between these potentially noisier weekends.”
