Speedway exceeds noise levels

Auckland City will be issuing the speedway promoter at Western Springs with an infringement notice for exceeding the maximum allowable noise levels during the first race meeting of the season, held last weekend.

The infringement incurs a $300 fine that council hopes will act as a clear signal to the promoter that steps need to be taken to prevent further breaches.

Penalties for subsequent breaches include issuing an abatement notice, or a prosecution through the District Court under the Resource Management Act.

Auckland City recently installed a $125,000 noise monitoring terminal at Western Springs Stadium. This is to help ensure that noise levels comply with the Auckland City District Plan, in particular concept plan C05-08 which relates specifically to Western Springs Stadium.

The maximum allowable noise level of L10 85 dBA was exceeded frequently throughout the 20 races at the 6 November race meeting. The noise levels varied from 85 dBA to 91 dBA, or from 0 to 6 dBA above the maximum noise limit allowable under the district plan.

A 2-3dBA increase is just perceptible to the human ear, whilst an increase of 10dBA is equivalent to a subjective doubling of the noise source.
The Western Springs speedway has been operating at Western Springs for 75 years. The stadium hosts a maximum of three practice sessions, 20 races, and six concerts each year.

For information on noise control and for the results of last week’s monitoring at Western Springs, go to: www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/noise

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