Sydney Trains fined for excessive noise
Sydney Trains has been fined by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) after alleged poor track maintenance between Waverton and Wollstonecraft railway stations caused excessive noise for nearby residents.
EPA Director Regulatory Operations David Gathercole said rail noise had been a prolonged issue affecting residents in the Waverton-Wollstonecraft area.
“The ineffective maintenance of this part of the rail line has been a constant failing that has led to excessive noise for this community,” Mr Gathercole said.
“Lack of maintenance has resulted in rail corrugations and roughness, which are the primary cause of the noise.”
Mr Gathercole said Sydney Trains had undertaken numerous studies and trials to try to address this noise issue, however no clear resolution had emerged.
“The EPA has now received a plan from Sydney Trains to perform further maintenance and will continue to monitor the situation to ensure that the issue is resolved as quickly as possible.”
The EPA issued Sydney Trains with a $15,000 Penalty Notice for not managing the noise issues, as required by its Environment Protection Licence under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997.
The fine amount is the largest that the EPA can issue under its legislation.
People can report concerns regarding noise pollution to the EPA on 131 555. All complaints made to the Environment Line are being directed to the EPA officers in the field so they can target those areas of most concern to the community.
For more information about the EPA’s regulatory tools, see the EPA Compliance Policy at www.epa.nsw.gov.au/legislation/prosguid.htm