Works spoil Saturday sleep-ins

By Rebecca Fraser
HEAVY construction noises are giving a group of Narre Warren neighbours an unwelcome wake-up call.
Residents living near a building site at the corner of Ernst Wanke and Narre Warren North roads have been woken by 7am the past four Saturdays and have called on Casey Council to stop the escalating noise pollution disrupting their weekends.
Narre Warren resident Lois Roy has questioned why heavy construction vehicles were allowed to start at 7am in a built-up area, while domestic machines such as lawn mowers were banned until 9am.
“Heavy construction vehicles are waking the neighbours each Saturday morning while preparing this site for the building of shops.
“After complaining to council, I was told that the EPA legislation allows for this to happen and council cannot do anything to quieten the situation,” she said.
“I would like to know what conditions were put on the planning permit by council for this construction?
“Apparently two complaints are needed before council will investigate. Well, I have complained and so has another neighbour. When will council do something about this constant annoying droning noise on a day when ratepayers are trying to have a quiet sleep-in,” she said.
Ms Roy said her family had been woken by 7 or 7.15am the past four Saturdays with reversing noises and the constant drone of equipment.
“It just keeps going and going until 12 o’clock when they stop and go. We have already well and truly gotten up by that stage.
“There needs to be a bit of consideration for people who live here.”
Casey acting manager community safety Caroline Bell said the council’s environment and health services had investigated the matter.
Ms Bell said based on EPA guidelines work could commence at the construction site from 7am on Monday through Saturday.
She said she had been advised of the resident complaints regarding the noise concerns but council was not in a position to act.
Ms Bell said one resident had also raised concerns about construction equipment being close to the house.
She said council had spoken to the construction company about the possibility of moving the equipment.
Ms Bell said the situation was unfortunate but she assumed the construction would be completed soon and the heavy machinery would no longer be required.