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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1995 Week 11 Hansard (14 December) . . Page.. 3134 ..

Golfers practicing on community ovals and parklands are not controlled by legislation. Given the number and geographically widespread nature of complaints received it appears that golfers are not conscious of the damage they are causing. Accordingly it may be necessary to introduce some form of legislation to control their behavior.

The noise levels arising from motor sports to which the NSW residents are exposed are substantially below the occupational health and safety standards recommended by Worksafe Australia and based on earlier work by the National Health and Medical Research Council. Clearly noise is not a health issue.

I understand my colleague, the Minister for Environment, Land and Planning has addressed the issue of environmental noise standards in his reply to Question on Notice Number 102.

(2) (a) Motor sport enthusiasts undertake their activity within the constraints of the noise legislation.

This legislation is administered by the Office of the Environment. Also the motor sport community has advised Government on many occasions that they wish to and do operate within the law and are taking a number of steps to ensure self regulation in this regard.

(b) The Commissioner for the Environment's report on Management of Noise from Motor Sport in the ACT made numerous recommendations. I expect that my colleague the Minister for the Environment, Land and Planning will respond formally to those recommendations following Government consideration of community comments.

Your question suggests that motor sport participants are not willing to abide by the law. This is contrary to what in practice occurs. Motor sport organisations adhere to the noise legislation requirements for the conduct of their activities.

(c) The identification of a new site for motor sport in the ACT was pursued by both the previous Government and is still being pursued by this Government.

Currently three potential sites are under investigation. The delay in finalising the current investigations is due to the need to undertake some additional noise and related studies.

However, I understand the study has raised a number of issues which will require the Government consideration before it commits to the relocation of motor sport.

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