Page 3498 - Week 12 - Wednesday, 12 October 1994
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
That is not how the noise levels in New South Wales were determined. I think it is appropriate that that be placed on the record immediately. A measurement of 10 decibels above background noise at the nearest residence has generally been used as the appropriate start point for the measurement of noise associated with motor sport.
What you do then is arrive at a figure - and that figure is 95 dB(A) - at a particular distance from the track site to determine a convenient point of measurement, which is what Mr Stefaniak is attempting to do, so that people involved in motor sports will be able to identify a reasonable place of measurement, as opposed to what they consider to be the quite onerous obligations under the existing Act. If we accept that concept, that we should remain below 10 dB(A) above background noise at the nearest residence, then at every site where motor sport is conducted it will change. A unilateral provision, such as that proposed by Mr Stefaniak's Bill, would be equally as unworkable as it is suggested the current system is.
For example, let us look at Fairbairn Park. At the nearest residence, the noise emitted from Fairbairn Park is between 15 and 18 dB(A) above the background noise. If we adopt a measurement which is 95 dB(A) at 30 metres, it is still going to mean that this legislation will allow for a higher noise output than that which has basically been accepted in New South Wales.
Mr De Domenico: Rubbish!
MR LAMONT: It is not rubbish, Mr De Domenico. That is simply the fact.
Mr De Domenico: Why do you not have a proper look at the Bill? Go and talk to the New South Wales authorities.
MR LAMONT: Your ignorance in this matter, Mr De Domenico, is being demonstrated by your interjections.
Mr De Domenico: Go and talk to the New South Wales authorities.
MR LAMONT: In fact, I have done so, Mr De Domenico. The agreement to 95 dB(A) at 30 metres for places like Eastern Creek was on the basis of the establishment of a convenient measurement point. It was for no other reason. It was convenient for the people conducting motor sport to proceed 30 metres away because it meant that the noise at the nearest residence was 10 dB(A) above background noise. That is the test. That is the measurement that you should be looking for. But it is not going to help you at Fairbairn Park because you cannot get Fairbairn Park to operate where there is that accepted limit, even in New South Wales, of 10 dB(A) above background noise. Bear in mind that, for every 5 dB(A) you measure, you double the noise volume. I think that it is important to have that on the record at this stage so that you can look at that, Mr Stefaniak, before you come back and attempt to debate the detail stage of the Bill.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .