Motor vehicle, train and tram noise
This page provides information about the following topics:
Individual motor vehicles
It is an offence to own or use a vehicle that exceeds noise limits in the vehicle emissions regulations. EPA can require a vehicle to be presented at one of its approved motor vehicle noise testers to determine compliance with the limits. A list of EPA approved noise testers is available.
A member of the public can report a noisy vehicle to the Traffic Management Unit at their local police station. If a police officer assesses the vehicle as being too noisy, the vehicle will be referred to EPA for noise testing.
The unreasonable noise provisions under section 48A of the Environment Protection Act 1970 also apply to motor vehicles on residential premises, such as vehicles left idling for a time or at a volume that could be considered unreasonable. The prohibited times in the Environment Protection (Residential Noise) Regulations 1997 do not apply to vehicles when moving in or out of the premises.
Noise from recreational vehicles, mini-bikes and trail bikes used on residential premises, including large rural living allotments, is also included as residential noise and the unreasonable noise provisions of the Environment Protection Act 1970 apply.
Train/tram noise and track maintenance
Problems with noise from public transport or noise from maintenance work on railway or tramway equipment should be directed to the transport operator. You can also contact the Public Transport Ombudsman (Victoria) to investigate your complaint. The PTO can only investigate the complaint after the transport operator has had an opportunity to respond.
Public Transport Ombudsman (Victoria)
PO Box 538
Collins St West
Melbourne VIC 8007
Telephone: (03) 8623 2111
Country callers: 1800 466 865
Fax: (03) 8623 2100
Website
Send an email
Road traffic noise
Reports about noise from general traffic flow should be directed to VicRoads or your local council, as they are responsible for traffic management.
VicRoads
Telephone: (03) 9854 2666
Website
Motor vehicles are an integral part of today's society and have contributed significantly to the development of Victoria and the prosperity of its citizens. However, motor vehicles can produce adverse environmental impacts, especially in urban areas. Road traffic noise is one of these impacts. It can affect the health and wellbeing of residents, particularly when sleep is disturbed.
Road traffic is the most common source of noise in Victoria. It is heard by 70% of residents, and significantly ‘bothers, annoys or disturbs’ 20% of the population annually (see EPA’s noise surveys for more information).
Role of Government in addressing road traffic noise
VicRoads and the EPA are involved in programs that help to limit or reduce traffic noise.
VicRoads is the key agency responsible for road traffic noise management. They are responsible for the design, construction and maintenance of freeways and other major roads. VicRoads is also undertaking a two-staged approach to manage noise from heavy vehicles. More information about road and truck noise can be found in the VicRoads website 
.
VicRoads also has a Traffic Noise Reduction Policy that sets noise criteria for freeways and aims to limit noise impacts from new or upgraded roads.
EPA contributes to the national vehicle noise standards that set noise limits for new vehicles. EPA develops and enforces state motor vehicle regulations that reflect these standards. Through our motor vehicle compliance program we work with police to minimise the impact of individual noisy vehicles on Victorians.
EPA recognises the impacts that noise can have on communities. We advocate across government that all reasonable measures to minimise road traffic noise and community exposure to noise should be implemented. Our expertise and research helps government to understand the nature and extent of traffic noise impacts.
Reducing the Impacts of Road Traffic Noise
Road traffic noise is complex to control. Noise reduction must be approached strategically, considering the impacts that noise has on the population, and the significant logistical and cost challenges in reducing noise levels.
Reducing the impacts of road traffic noise requires combinations of:
- reducing noise at the source, by improved standards for motor vehicles and quieter road surfaces;
- blocking transmission in the noise path, usually by noise barriers;
- traffic management, such as speed reduction, traffic flow control, and restrictions on heavy vehicles;
- protection at noise receivers, through house design, layout and architectural treatments to reduce the intrusion of noise; and/or
- integrated transport and land-use planning that considers the interactions between road use and urban design
These measures largely need to be applied by agencies responsible for planning, building and road and urban design.
VicRoads has developed a guide for how builders, designers and residents can reduce the impacts of road traffic noise by building improvements and other measures.
Previous EPA approach to traffic noise management
In 2002 EPA started to prepare a draft State Environment Protection Policy (SEPP) for road traffic noise.
SEPPs are whole-of government policies and therefore need to balance ideal environmental objectives with implementation and cost considerations. Key issues that arose during policy drafting included:
- developing noise criteria that balance protection of human health and are practical to achieve, considering existing noise levels and likely implementation costs
- the practicability of resolving high road traffic noise levels on existing arterial roads, where the opportunities for noise abatement are limited
Given these complexities, work on the road traffic noise SEPP has ceased.
Traffic noise will continue to be managed by VicRoads in accordance with the Traffic Noise Reduction Policy.