Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) has fined Yarra Trams operator KDR Victoria Pty Ltd for allowing one of its power sub-stations to run above noise limits.
A continuous tonal whine coming from a Yarra Trams Brunswick substation at 75B Melville Street, Brunswick West, exceeded the noise during the night period (10pm – 7am on all days of the week of 12th to 18th February 2019) by as much as 12dbA above the noise limit of 42dBA.
An EPA Pollution Abatement Notice (PAN) was issued to KDR in September 2018 in response to community noise reports from neighbouring properties.
KDR had submitted an assessment of noise from the site in response to the EPA's September PAN and controls. EPA undertook continuous noise logging in the area (noise sensitive receiver) over the whole week from 12 February to 18 February 2019 and found exceedances particularly during the evening and nighttime.
EPA has issued the $8,060 fine and required the controls be put in place by 31 January 2019. EPA will check that KDR complies with the noise control requirements and take further enforcement action in accordance with its Compliance and Enforcement Policy should KDR fail to meet their environmental obligations.
"It's disappointing for the local community that they were not listened to by KDR," said EPA Regional Manager Daniel Hunt, Metropolitan Region.
'The substation is in a residential area and people are entitled to peace and quiet in their homes."
