Sydney locals driven crazy by creepy ‘humming noise’
Residents in Sydney’s northwest say they are being driven crazy by a disturbing humming noise keeping them awake through the night for months.
Residents in Sydney’s northwest say they are being driven crazy by a disturbing humming noise keeping them awake through the night for months.
The noise, which has been plaguing homes in Rydalmere and Ermington for the past nine weeks, is audible from 6pm to 6am, locals told 702 ABC Radio Sydney on Tuesday.
“We’ve lost a few nights sleep,” said Ermington resident Brenton Potter.
Mr Potter said he drove out one night to investigate the source, and that it became clearer as he got closer to the Camellia industrial area.
“It’s not great and it’ll be annoying if it’s something industrial,” he said.
City of Parramatta councillor Kellie Darley told the radio station she had been getting complaints from residents for the past month.
MORE:Australia’s mould crisis: The suburbs most at risk
“It’s driving people batty,” Cr Darley said.
“They can’t sleep, it can kick in some nights as early as 8pm and run through until 6, 7 in the morning. Earplugs aren’t working for people.”
Residents had questioned whether it was tunnelling machines digging the Sydney Metro, but this was ruled out as they were further west when the noise started.
“People want to know if this is going to continue,” Cr Darley said.
“It’s only been happening in the last few months. If it is a business, what’s changed and how do we make this stop?”
MORE:Australia’s most undervalued and overvalued suburbs
The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has confirmed it is investigating the matter and has narrowed the location down to the industrial area.
“A joint EPA and City of Parramatta Council investigation has narrowed down the source of ‘humming noise’ in the Rydalmere/Ermington area,” a spokeswoman told news.com.au.
“Officers from the EPA and Parramatta City Council conducted a noise survey using specialised noise monitoring equipment between 8pm-12pm last night.
“During the survey, officers attended Rydalmere Wharf and three residential streets in Rydalmere and Ermington in response to community reports. Audible noise matching the reported hum was detected during the survey.
“Three premises in the Camellia industrial area have now been identified as potentially causing the noise detected. All three of the premises are regulated by the EPA.
“We are continuing the investigation and will work with all three premises to further pinpoint the sources of the noise, with the aim of mitigating the issue and reducing noise impacts on the surrounding community.
“We acknowledge that noise pollution can be both frustrating and disruptive and want to thank the community for their patience as we have worked to identify the noise’s source.
“Anyone impacted by the noise is encouraged to make a report to the EPA’s Environment Line by emailing info@epa.nsw.gov.au to help as we continue our investigation.”
Possible fines could range from $30,000 on the spot to $2 million for corporations that can be imposed by courts.
The Camellia precinct, located 1.5km east of the Parramatta CBD next to Rosehill Racecourse, covers around 321 hectares and is home to “a number of significant businesses that provide employment across a range of industries”, the council says.
In 2022, the NSW Department of Planning finalised a 20-year revitalisation plan for the area.
The Camellia-Rosehill Place Strategy aims to create a “thriving town centre with an 18-hour entertainment precinct” that would deliver up to 15,400 jobs, add 10,000 new homes supported by public transport, road upgrades and open spaces, and open up the Parramatta River foreshore section for the community.
The plan would also aim to retain heavy industrial land to “ensure Camellia-Rosehill advances in its role as an employment powerhouse for Sydney and NSW”.
The department is currently working on a rezoning proposal.
Originally published as Sydney locals driven crazy by creepy ‘humming noise’
