A Notice of Motion calling for a trial under a partnership between Council, Victoria Police and Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) was unanimously adopted at last night's council meeting.
Under the proposal moved by Port Melbourne Ward Councillor Heather Cunsolo, an acoustic camera would be funded and managed by the EPA with Council contributing towards installation costs. The camera site would be informed by police and affected residents.
Mayor Alex Makin said Victoria Police and concerned residents, including from the Beacon Cove Neighbourhood Association, supported a trial to help put the brakes on continuing hooning, dangerous driving and extreme vehicle noise across Port Phillip.
Most hotspots are within Port Melbourne, including Beaconsfield Parade and Station Pier, with hoons usually congregating at night on weekends.
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"Over the past weekend alone, I received a spike of about 148 hoon related emails from residents as well as phone calls. Council has been advocating for anti-hooning measures since 2022 as our residents shouldn't feel scared and sleepless by this dangerous behaviour," Cr Makin said.
"Exploring this innovative technology is a great opportunity to see if it can become another tool to make our roads safer and allow our community to enjoy their homes without being disturbed by revving enqines, exhaust fumes and squealing brakes."
Cr Cunsolo said Council supported several popular car display community events. "We're not anti-car, we're against noisy vehicles exceeding EPA sound limits."
The fixed post camera uses algorithms and AI to detect and report noisy vehicles by capturing exhaust noise levels along with audio and visual data. This information can be used by the EPA to decide whether to issue a Vehicle Testing Notice after confirming a vehicle has breached regulated noise levels.
The trial data would be rigorously reviewed after 12 months to assess its success in driving down vehicle noise and hoon behaviour. It could then be determined whether the camera should remain in Port Phillip and whether the trial could even potentially be rolled out to other municipalities.
Hooning can be reported to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. If hooning is in progress, call Triple Zero.
