Old Windsor Road Noise

Mr MERTON (Baulkham Hills) [5.37]: Tonight I wish to discuss a matter that is of great concern to some of my constituents in the Old Windsor Road area, Winston Hills, in the Goliath Avenue and Gideon Street proximity. Since the Old Windsor Road was widened some years ago there has been a problem of noise. Noise levels are high in the early hours of the morning, and at night the use of the road by heavy vehicles means that many residents have problems with sleeping. In fact, Mrs Doreen Ramage, to whom I have spoken on many occasions, tells me that she has been forced to sleep at the rear of her premises and wears earmuffs to bed in a desperate attempt to sleep.

The problem appears to be accentuated by the bridge over Toongabbie Creek, which seems to act as an echo chamber and noise resonates to adjacent houses. I have visited that area on a number of occasions and have had site meetings with Roads and Traffic Authority officials. I have met Mr Bob Morris, the former regional director, and other staff members. I had meetings with Mr Michael Yabsley when he was the assistant Minister for Roads. People such as Mrs Deborah Morris have written to me to say that the noise is becoming unbearable. From the early hours of the morning trucks travel along Old Windsor Road at a great speed, sounding like oncoming goods trains. The Roads and Traffic Authority has planted trees adjacent to Old Windsor Road, and that has certainly reduced the noise level somewhat. In addition, the sealing of part of the road was changed recently, which also reduced the noise level. However, noise remains a problem for people who live in the area.

The area is excellent for families and is close to all transport facilities. The noise, however, is a big problem. I have been in communication with the Minister for Transport, and Minister for Roads on a number of occasions about this matter and I understand that approval has now been given to construct earth mounds. The matter is with Parramatta City Council and negotiations are proceeding to determine council's requirements. The noise mounds will reduce the noise, but when? Members of the community have been patient for many years. They are concerned about the problem, and their health is being affected.

Mr and Mrs Ken Ryan have contacted me, and I have met with Mr Gordon Lee, Ms Anne Franey, Frank and Doreen Ramage, Mr and Mrs Stcherbina, and the Morris family. Mr Ramage is seriously ill and the noise level is not helping his health problem. Over the years I have received a number of petitions from people in this area. They are concerned about the noise. People in the area who want something done about the problem include the O'Malley family, the Stephenson family, the McKay family, the McGonigal family, the Cornock family, Mr Lee, Mr Stackpool, Mr Kang, Ms Franey, Mr Miners, the Ryan family, Mr Musial, the Edwards family, the Ramage family, the Shaw family, the Kirwan family, the Hill family, the Lees family and the Sutton family. Those people are concerned about the noise problem in their community. I ask the Minister to take urgent steps to expedite the question in regard to the noise problem and to consider having earth mounds erected so that members of that community can have a better quality of life. I am pleased that the Minister has agreed to discuss this matter this afternoon. I thank him for his courtesy and assistance.

Mr BAIRD (Northcott - Minister for Transport, and Minister for Roads) [5.41]: The honourable member for Baulkham Hills is an outstanding member of Parliament, an outstanding Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Transport, and takes a strong interest in these issues.

Mr SPEAKER: Order! I call the honourable member for Illawarra to order.

Mr BAIRD: He has made numerous representations to me about the problems he has outlined. I am pleased to advise him that his representations will soon be successful in providing relief for his constituents who live in Goliath Avenue. The Roads and Traffic Authority is in the process of commissioning a consultant to undertake a review of environmental factors for the construction of noise attenuation barriers at Goliath Avenue. An initial site visit was undertaken with a consultant on 21 November in order to explain the proposal and to initially identify any limitations, such as vegetation. It is expected that the review of environmental factors will be completed in three weeks. Necessary
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negotiations with Parramatta City Council will be undertaken during that period. Subject to council approval, work is expected to start in the week commencing 19 December. The honourable member for Baulkham Hills can be sure that his representations have made a difference, and that his constituents can retain their confidence in their local member presenting these issues to me and to the department. It shows once again that this is a can do government.