Park Terrace noise reduction wall badly needed say Ovingham residents

Ovingham residents say they were promised a noise reducing barrier along Park Terrace years ago – and the State Government’s “amenity” wall won’t do the job.

Park Terrace, Ovingham, are furious a noise reduction wall they say was promised is now being replaced with an "amenity" wall. Pic: Supplied

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Ovingham residents are angry a noise reduction wall they say they was promised due to lengthy roadworks along Park Terrace has been taken off the table.

Instead, an “amenity wall” is being erected, going back on one of the State Government’s 2018 election promises.

The Liberal Party pledged to build a noise reducing barrier at Park Terrace prior to the election.

Following the State Government’s first budget in September 2018, local member Rachel Sanderson released a Budget edition 2018 newsletter indicating the Ovingham noise barrier was “delivered” and receiving $2 million in funding.

Since then, a letter from Infrastructure Minister Corey Wingard has been received by local

residents, saying “construction of a noise wall at this site is not feasible”.

Walking along Park Terrace, decibel readings at the site are regularly over 80 decibels – consistent with other readings for heavy traffic areas.

Park Terrace resident Stephen Vandborg said a noise reduction wall was badly needed.

“We’ve been subjected to huge increases in traffic, noise and pollution,” he said.

“It’s basically noisy all the time – from early in the morning to well after dinner time.”

Mr Vandborg said he was particularly disappointed so much feedback had been sought from residents – but the plan for a noise abatement wall was not going ahead.

Northern Adelaide fitness owner Aaron Ramsay says works on Park Terrace at Ovingham have affected his business. Picture: Paula Thompson

North Adelaide Fitness owner Aaron Ramsay said while noise isn’t an issue for his business, a lack of consultation around the process had been.

“There’s really been no consultation with us,” he said.

Mr Ramsay said the lack of consultation made it hard for the business to communicate with members when there may be parking issues around the site.

Labor candidate for Adelaide Lucy Hood said local residents had told her they were feeling duped by this whole process.

“They were promised a wall that would reduce sound – instead they are getting a wall that is

just there for looks,” she said.

A Department for Infrastructure and Transport spokesman confirmed prior to the 2018 state election a commitment was made to have two walls built on the junction of Park Terrace and Hawker Street – to provide a barrier from traffic and address residents’ concerns at a cost of up to $2 million.

“The department undertook noise assessments at this location following the completion of upgrades to Park Terrace, and found that there were no changes to overall noise levels,” he said.

“Subsequently, the department met with the community to discuss their requirements, and the majority were in support of amenity walls.

“As a result, the project scope was changed to amenity walls, which are currently being delivered by the department.”