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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 13 Hansard (4 December) . . Page.. 4547 ..

MS HORODNY (continuing):

There is also the cross-border issue, and Mr Moore referred to this. It is not just the Ridgeway residents in Queanbeyan who will be affected by the noise from Fairbairn Park. There is also a new residential development called Capital Terraces on the other side of the railway. The Queanbeyan City Council is very much against this proposal. I would like to read a letter that I received recently from the mayor, Frank Pangallo:

I believe the ACT Environmental Protection Bill 1997 is to come before the Legislative Assembly at its next sitting ...

Of particular concern to the residents of Queanbeyan is noise generated by ACT motor sports in the area known as Fairbairn Park.

In this regard I have discussed this matter with ACT Government Ministers expressing my concern at the 10 dBA noise limit above background by motorsport activities measured at affected residences. The NSW area surrounding Canberra imposes a realistic 5 dBA maximum above background which is suggested be adopted by your government.

This will have a beneficial effect on residences, particularly in Queanbeyan, the closest of which is approximately 800 metres from the site.

Also of concern is a proposal in the Bill which introduces the concept of noise zones. It is felt that this fails to address the noise impact on the individuals it is designed to protect. This concept does not adequately reduce, regulate or relate to times of emissions. In addition it allows higher and unacceptable noise levels every day of the year.

The above two important points in the draft Bill appear contrary to the Intergovernmental Agreement on the Environment which has been signed by your government. I urge you to amend the Bill to take into account the objections of Queanbeyan residents to the 10 dBA noise limit above background, and to amend the concept of noise zones so that the practical applications associated with this concept are clarified to reduce noise emissions and protect individuals.

I hope Mr Humphries is listening to this as well. The other letter that I would like to quote from is from the New South Wales EPA. It reads:

... it has been reported in the press that the ACT Government is considering drafting a specific Regulation for the Fairbairn Park motor sport facilities. The reports indicate that the proposal will bring the ACT approach into line with that of NSW. This appears not to be the case. The EPA understands that the proposal is based on a blanket 10 dB(A) above background permissible noise emission level.

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