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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 4 Hansard (30 March) . . Page.. 1202 ..

6. The EMA does not routinely monitor noise at motor racing events. A call out system is in place, which permits members of the public concerned about noise to contact an environment protection officer who will attend the event to measure noise levels. This occurred on 30 May and 13 June 1999 but the officers were unable to obtain noise measurements because of the strong wind and rain conditions at the time. Weather conditions, particularly strong winds can seriously affect the accuracy of noise measurements, in fact when wind speeds exceed 5 metres per second it is an accepted practice not to conduct outside noise measurements. In addition, the EMA referred a brief of evidence to the Director of Public Prosecutions. The Office of the DPP provided initial advice that prosecution was not available in the absence of evidence of excessive noise or the issue of an environment protection order, but this is to be the subject of further discussion with DPP.

7. Yes

8.See answer to question 6. In addition, the EMA is aware that two race meets have been monitored at the compliance location by FPCC and NCMC using an independent expert and the results of that monitoring are being used by to develop noise monitoring plans. Both monitored meetings operated at levels of between approximately 45dB(A) to 50d13(A), which, when event credits are taken into account, does not involve a breach of the authorisation.

9. See answer to question 5 and 8.

10. See answer to question 6.

11. Because there is no requirement in the current authorisation to prepare monitoring plans, there is no link between the annual review of the authorisations and the preparation of noise monitoring plans. However, in February 2000 and early March 2000 FPCC and NCMC respectively have, with the assistance of an acoustic consultant experienced in environmental noise assessment, submitted draft noise monitoring plans that are currently being assessed by the EMA.

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