Missing Sound Barrier Update.

As a result of 20 residents’ response to the noise impact of their residence caused by the sound barrier that was taken down near Mitre10, JRA has lodged a request with the State Minister for Transport and Main Roads and MP for Mt Ommaney, Mrs J Attwood, for investigation work to conducted to seek a solution.

JRA correspondence sent to Minister responsible for  Main Roads:

Hon Craig Wallace MP

Minister for Main Roads, Fisheries and Marine Infrastructure

PO Box 15456

Brisbane East Qld 4002

15 September, 2011

Dear Mr Wallace,

As President of Jamboree Residents Association (JRA), I contact you regarding very disruptive traffic noise that is being generated from the Centenary Motorway.  This noise impacts on the quality of life of Jamboree Heights’ residents residing mainly in the Galleon, Poseidon, Marconi and Schooner Streets.

At the suggestion of Mt Ommaney MP, Mrs Julie Attwood, JRA conducted a very detailed survey amongst these residents to determine if we had the grounds to proceed with an approach to DMR.

The Executive of JRA now thinks we do.  Find attached a copy of the survey that was printed and circulated only to residences within the designated survey area.

The survey refers to a 60 metre section of sound barrier that was taken down in 2000 as a trade off sale condition set by AMP Finance when DMR purchased two small parcels of their shopping centre land to locate off-ramps for the Centenary Bikeway.

14 of the15 residences that replied indicated various degrees of noise disturbance from minor to major, for varying times of day and night, weather conditions and in various sections of their homes.

At the request of JRA, DMR conducted noise tests in four locations in Jamboree Heights in November 2009.  While JRA is not privy to the exact noise level readings obtained from these findings, we were informed that remedial noise abatement action would not be required until 2019 on past traffic density growth. 

As you are aware, with the upgrades to the Sumner Park/Darra end of the Centenary Motorway and the Ipswich Motorway, traffic volumes have increased greatly in the last 18 months.   With the creation of the Legacy Tunnels, Jamboree Residents can expect more heavy vehicular activity as the Centenary Motorway is the route between the tunnel portals and a large supply depot to be located at Wacol. 

With all of this in mind, JRA ask that you initiate through your department, noise monitoring once again at some of these locations to determine the decibel readings that affected residents are now enduring.  Please note: most survey respondents have indicated their willingness to donate their premises for a location site for test equipment.

If you reply favourably to this request for immediate remedial action, at the same time would it be possible to test the efficiency of the remaining sound barrier wall along the eastern side of Jamboree Heights. The timber has dried out over the years that it has been installed and it is probable that its noise abatement quality has been compromised.

Centenary Motorway Upgrades

JRA as petitioners for the Sumner Road/Centenary Motorway flyover duplication and Centenary Motorway upgrades were notified by yourself that action was to be taken to prepare the Centenary/Western Motorways for the expected traffic increase with the completion of the Legacy Tunnels in 2014.  JRA has since noted that in the 2011/12 State Budget, funding has been allocated for Western/Centenary Motorways traffic studies and planning.

Is DMR in a position to report on what actions are in progress?

Correspondence to be lodged at the Mt Ommaney Electoral Office of Mrs Attwood:

• Two pieces of correspondence in 2000 between AMP Finance solicitors and DMR re conditions of removal of a 60m section of Centenary Motorway noise abatement barrier.
• Details of 15 JRA survey respondents - this are still ongoing.
• Copy of Survey questions.
• Picture of the capped sound barrier footings which until 2009 supported the removed noise abatement wall.
• DMR notifications of 2009 noise reading results.

While JRA is appreciative of the current State Governments commitment to upgrade the Centenary Motorway flyover at Sumner Road for residents and business people of the southern section of the Centenary Estates, addressing the noise issues created by the missing sound barrier in a smaller section of Jamboree Heights would be most appreciated.

Thank you for your time and assistance with this matter.

Yours sincerely,

Wayne Williams

President JRA

CC:  Mrs Julie Attwood (State Member for Mt Ommaney)

JRA await a response to this request.

**Breaking news**

  

DMR have initiated the monitoring of traffic noise generated on the Centenary Motorway in five locations in the Centenary Suburbs –two sites in Jindalee – two sites in Sinnamon Park – one site in Andaman Street Jamboree Heights.

This monitoring occurred on a Monday & Tuesday (10-11 October, 2011).  At this time we do not believe the monitoring is a result of the JRA request to DMR re the missing sound barrier behind Mitre 10, but more general studies pertaining to existing noise levels for the Centenary suburbs and any future upgrades to the Centenary Motorway.  DMR has already budgeted $2M for the upgrade of the sound barrier along the northern end of Sinnamon Park.