Matraville: Middle ground between residents and a business over a proposed truck depot

A planning panel has made amendments to a proposed truck depot in Sydney’s southeast, after concerns were raised over noise pollution. Read the latest.

A proposed truck depot in Sydney’s southeast has been amended after residents and community members raised concerns over potential noise pollution.

Family-owned Australian business Price (and) Speed Containers (PAS) Pty Ltd submitted a development application to Randwick City Council in April, seeking a truck depot at 8-14 McCauley St at Matraville.

The site was previously used by another company as a vehicle storage and depot.

But the site was being used without council consent. An application was submitted on October 22, 2021, to formally use the site but this was later withdrawn as the temporary occupier left the site.

PAS, which offers container transport services to nearby Port Botany, wanted to use the site as a place to store trucks and empty trailers while they are not being used.

The site that is slated to be a truck depot. Picture: Google Maps

The proposal also sought to make the site a place where minor routine servicing for the trailers could be done.

Other proposed developments included parking for 17 trucks and 10 personal vehicles, an igloo dome structure for on-site truck and trailer repair facilities and an amenity building container.

An aerial view of the site. Picture: Nearmap

The original proposal also outlined that the hours of operation for the site would be 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with the trailer repairs and services operating between 7am and 6pm, seven days a week.

However, residents who live across from the site expressed concerns, particularly around the noise pollution and operational hours.

In the acoustics report, it recommended measures to help “reduce the disturbance of the nearest noise-affected residences”. One of the recommendations was for trucks to only enter and exit the site through Raymond Ave during the daytime and night-time hours of 7am to 10pm.

The site is directly opposite houses. Picture: Google Maps

During last week’s Local Planning Panel, independent councillor Noel D’Souza said the development application needed a closer look and to have strict conditions “addressing noise pollution and air quality”.

“In this matter, the residents have shown tolerance and understanding. They were there first,” Cr D’Souza said.

“Then the zoning was changed, the goalposts were moved (and) the resultant effect was the problem we face now – a DA which will cause noise pollution, compromise air quality and the quality of life of the residents.

“I have heard the protests of the residents – those same residents who have appeared before you – and looking to this panel feeling that their hopes and fears are in your keeping.”

Randwick councillor Noel D'Souza spoke up in favour of the amendments during the panel.

Thankfully, a middle ground was found and the panel made amendments to the application, which include no on-street queuing or parking of vehicles outside the site, only eight trucks and 10 vehicles can be on the site at the same time, trucks have to be turned off if stationary and approved traffic routes have to be adhered.

The decision states: “The panel has heard from the community and appreciates their concerns, and considers that with appropriate conditions to mitigate noise through acoustic wall construction and operation of the activity, that the use of the premises as a truck parking facility is satisfactory.’’

Pride and Speed was approached for comment.