Member for Dunstan Cressida O’Hanlon calls for noise cameras on Portrush Rd

A Labor MP wants noise cameras installed on a major arterial road but truckies say noise is no longer an issue and there is a solution – but it will cost.

Noise cameras should be used on Portrush Rd to crack down on truckies using air brakes, a Labor backbencher says.

Member for Dunstan Cressida O’Hanlon has told constituents the government should monitor a NSW trial when hundreds of drivers have been caught by devices which use a decibel monitor to check noise levels than takes a photo of the offending vehicle’s number plate.

In the first 12 weeks of the trial more than 1000 noisy incidents were detected with almost half caused by repeat offenders.

Taking constituents on a tour of state parliament, Ms O’Hanlon said no government would ever get rid of all trucks on Portrush Rd, but more could be done to deal with noise.

Member for Dunstan Cressida O'Hanlon. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Kelly Barnes

“Decibel cameras should be looked at … they are being trialled interstate and could be used on Portrush Rd to reduce truck noise from air brakes,” she said.

However, Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis’ office says there are no plans for a review of the NSW trial which follows complaints about hoon driving and noisy vehicles, with cameras installed in Bayside Council – around Botany Bay – and Wollongong Council areas.

The trial started in December and will run until mid-to-late 2025.

The NSW Environmental Protection Authority say of more than 1000 noisy vehicles detected so far, 180 vehicles committed 434 of the noise events.

No fines have been issued, as the trial is evaluating the accuracy of the equipment.

Noise cameras have been installed in two NSW council areas in a trial to detect noise vehicles and hoon drivers. Picture: Elizabeth Pike

It will determine if the technology is fit-for-purpose and ensure the devices can distinguish noise from a specific vehicle compared to other nearby loud sounds.

A Department for Infrastructure and Transport spokesman said: “The Department understands Transport for NSW has launched a trial to evaluate whether noise cameras are a viable approach to address excessive vehicle noise”.

“However, this trial is not focusing specifically on heavy vehicle noise emissions or the use of exhaust brakes,” they said.

“The Department understands the trial is only for research and evaluation at this stage and is not being used for compliance or enforcement.”

SA Road Transport Association executive director Steve Shearer dismissed the decibel camera plan, noting in the past 15 years the new generation of modern trucks has seen community complaints about noise plummet “to almost zero.”

SARTA executive director Steve Shearer. Picture: Supplied

“The ones you do hear tend to be older trucks, and the great bulk of truck drivers have got the message and know not to use engine brakes in urban areas,” he said.

Mr Shearer said it would be possible to get some B double and B triple trucks off major suburban routes such as Portrush Rd but only if a high quality bypass was built behind the Adelaide Hills, at a cost of up to $500m.

“You will never get all trucks off roads like Portrush as 40 per cent are Adelaide Hills service trucks who won’t want to be going via Murray Bridge,” he said.

“And if you just get rid of B doubles, you will have 50 per cent more trucks because you will still have the same amount of freight coming down the freeway.”

Liberal candidate for Dunstan Anna Finizio said Portrush Rd remained a dangerous and congested route for heavy trucks, blaming Labor’s cancellation of the Truro Freight Route.

“This project was a key step in delivering the Greater Adelaide Freight Bypass, which would have diverted heavy trucks away from our local roads,” she said.

Originally published as Member for Dunstan Cressida O’Hanlon calls for noise cameras on Portrush Rd