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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 13 Hansard (4 December) . . Page.. 4551 ..

MR STEFANIAK (continuing):

Let us also look at what someone else says, someone who came to motor sport late in life. I think a number of members might have received this letter. (Extension of time granted) The Reverend Canon Lyle Hughes from the Anglican Parish of St Barnabas at Coonamble states:

Dear Sir,

It has recently been brought to my attention of the ludicrous move, by some people who seem to have lost touch with reality, to lower the level of decibels, from 10 to 5, above ambient background noise. If these people were honest and fair then the limit would apply to all noise including aircraft and the like. I believe that these people's agenda is purely aimed at entertainment and sporting activities in which they have either no connection nor interest.

My particular interest is in motorsport, specifically at Fairbairn Park. I am 54 years old and have recently taken up Karting, something which I have wanted to do for many years. I chose to join the Canberra Club, which is located nearly 600 kms from where I currently live, for several reasons. Some of the main reasons were:

i) that the nearest large city that I relate to is Canberra. Canberra is, for me, about the same distance as Sydney.

ii) I do have family in Canberra as I also do in other Capital cities including Sydney.

iii) When I attended Canberra Club as a spectator, I was warmly welcomed.

iv) The Club displayed a professional and caring outlook on the sport of motor racing.

v) The younger members of the Club were treated with respect and were nurtured and encouraged by the older Club members.

And the list does go on. Because of Karting at Fairbairn I make a special effort to attend race meetings. This means that I, in some small way, am supporting the Canberra economy. I know that this sport does bring many dollars into Canberra. Beyond the Karting fraternity, other sports will be affected ...

He mentions a few which may not be right. He then says:

To lower the decibels means also that most lawn mowers would not be able to be used ...

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