Waverton and Wollstonecraft rail noise

Sydney Trains operates the Sydney metropolitan rail network. The Waverton and Wollstonecraft railway section is located in a populated area, on some of the tightest curves on the network.

These conditions generate high frequency rail nose when the wheel flange rubs against the rail and the wheels stick and slip on the rail.

Studies and mitigation strategies over the past 2 decades have sought to reduce rail noise impacts for nearby residents, and the EPA has engaged with the local community, including the Waverton Wollstonecraft Rail Noise Action Group (WWRNAG).

The EPA required Sydney Trains to take action to address noise concerns, including pollution reduction programs to identify the cause and possible mitigation methods. Sydney Trains continues to pursue initiatives to reduce noise impacts and improve outcomes for the community in this area and across its rail network.

In 2021, the EPA and Sydney Trains both commissioned independent rail noise specialists to review Sydney Trains’ operation and maintenance of the rail network at Waverton and Wollstonecraft. Based on the findings of the EPA-commissioned report, the EPA issued Sydney Trains with a penalty infringement notice for a breach of their Environment Protection Licence condition.

In 2022, Sydney Trains committed to implementing the recommendations of their independent study. Between 2022 and 2024, they undertook significant maintenance and rectification work, including:

• re-railing a section of standard carbon rail with head hardened rail
• rail milling to remove all corrugation
• rail grinding to correct rail profiles
• installing additional Top of Rail Friction Modification (TORFM) units
• trialling softer rail pads through the Wollstonecraft Station curve
• adjusting the rate of change in height between the 2 rail lines in one of the curves along this section
• implementing 5-monthly rail grinding frequency, and monitoring results to establish best practice
• commissioning international experts to conduct a comprehensive wheel/rail interface review, including rail profiles, grinding and quality assurance.

In 2024, following the completion of these rectification works, the EPA engaged an independent rail noise expert to review the outcomes and provide a foundation for next steps forward.

This review identified that Sydney Trains had made efforts to implement the recommendations in the 2021 studies. Despite these efforts, the review found that noise impacts remained an issue in the area. The review recommended that interim measures of low-height noise barriers with noise monitoring should be considered.

As a condition of Sydney Trains Environment Protection Licence, the EPA required Sydney Trains to engage an independent, appropriately-qualified person to conduct a feasibility study for the installation of low-height noise barriers. This study was provided to the EPA in March 2026.

The feasibility study found that while these barriers would achieve a reduction in noise for some residents, they would create significant operational, economic, and safety impacts.

In particular, the barriers would constrain access, visibility, safe places, and movement within the corridor, and impact how activities like maintenance, inspections, incident and emergency response could be undertaken. The study found that the low-height noise barriers are not feasible.

Sydney Trains continues to work on longer-term solutions for reducing rail noise on its network. This work includes:

• trialling alternative rail lubrication solutions
• implementation of adjusted rail profiles
• introduction of the latest generation rail grinding equipment and improved quality assurance capabilities
• ongoing improvements to rail grinding procedures and quality assurance processes.

The EPA continues to regulate railway track and train operators via environment protection licences. These environment protection licences provide a framework to progressively reduce the impacts of noise over time across the State-wide rail network.

Visit Regulation of railway activities for more information about our rail licensing and longer-term interventions.