‘Noise cams’ snap truckies

Kim Waters
NOISE cameras have listened for rogue truckies in a trial on Geelong’s bypass, Vicroads has revealed.
A spokesperson said the roads authority was processing data from “surveillance” on the bypass last month as part of a statewide trial of the cameras.
VicRoads would send truckies warning “notices” if the cameras had caught them breaking noise limits.
The noise camera trial followed a community campaign for a crackdown on trucks using loud engine braking near homes neighbouring the overpass.
The spokesperson said VicRoads was unable to stop engine braking but could act on loud trucks.
“Currently there are no laws in Victoria that specifically address engine brake noise limits. However, all vehicles must comply with the general vehicle noise emission levels contained in Australian Design Rule 83/00.”
The spokesperson was unable to say when or whether noise cameras would return to the bypass but that the technology would reduce noise on Victorian roads “over time”.
“The surveillance activity includes the opportunity to return to locations where noise from trucks is a particular problem. The technology to enforce the standard is still being fully developed and tested before appropriate laws can be considered.
“The technology is still under trial in New South Wales and South Australia. The results from these trials are not expected until mid-2011.”
But Kevin Brownlee, who blames the bypass noise for forcing him out of his Waurn Ponds home, believed the camera trial was just a “political stunt” to “shut people up”.
“It’s just pandering to the public without actually achieving anything,” he said.
“At the end of the day there’s no law about how much noise a truck can make.
“They can put noise cameras everywhere but what can they legally do?”