Hum from Brunswick West electrical tram substation infuriating residents
An incessant, loud humming noise is driving Brunswick West residents up the wall, with Yarra Trams blamed for the “tonal whine”. This is what’s causing it.
VIC News
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Residents living near a noisy Yarra Trams substation have been “driven up the wall” by loud humming, with the operator fined thousands over the disruption.
It comes as residents in a neighbouring suburb are fighting against the building of a similar electrical facility within metres of their homes.
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The Environment Protection Authority first raised the noise issue with Yarra Trams owner KDR Victoria Pty Ltd after fed-up locals in Brunswick West first reported a loud “tonal whine” from the site was disturbing their sleep.
Substations transform voltages to better supply power to localised areas.
Authorities running tests in the area months later found the humming had not ceased and was recording noise levels as high as 12dbA (decibels) over the legal limit.
EPA staff billed the operators $8060 and Yarra Trams is in ongoing discussions on how to resolve the problem.
“It’s disappointing for the local community that they were not listened to by KDR,” said EPA metropolitan regional manager Daniel Hunt. “The substation is in a residential area and people are entitled to peace and quiet in their homes.”
But the EPA notice has also raised alarms bells for residents living nearby along Reynard St in Coburg where Public Transport Victoria is set to build a similar substation.
The new substation is one of 30 needed to help power the city’s next-generation trams as they are added to the network.
PTV acting CEO Alan Fedda said the operator was running more trams than ever and the fleet was constantly improving.
“To do this, additional supply power is needed to ensure a reliable tram service and enable more airconditioned and larger low-floor trams along Route 58,” he said.
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“The project team will ensure the substation is safe and fully compliant with guidelines for both noise and electromagnetic fields.”
But Carmel LoChiano, who lives directly next to the site, said she would do everything in her power to stop the project from going ahead.
“We have serious concerns about the noise and safety implications,” she said.
“ We don’t want to get to the stage where it’s built, we test it and it’s too loud.
“My son has a hearing aid and there will be some sort of interference at all times for him.
“It will be like a constant humming in his ear.”
Ms LoChiano said it would also be difficult to sell the home or move away.
“We can’t just go across the road and it will be metres from us at all times,” she said.