All NSW residents have the right to the peaceful enjoyment of their home and property without the intrusion of excessive or offensive noise.

PLEASE SIGN OUR PETITION to change the NSW Noise Regulations and to lobby NSW State Government and the NSW EPA to prohibit the recreational use of trail bikes, quad bikes, mini bikes, monkey bikes, cars and any other motorised recreational vehicles on private land within 500 metres of residential premises and to require a permit for the use of recreational vehicles on private land.

Tasmania already has legislation that prohibits the use of vehicles for recreation within 500 metres of another residence as do the Victorian Shires of Macedon Ranges, Surf Coast, Bass Coast, Moorabool, City of Geelong, City of Ballarat and Bayside City.

Many other regions of Victoria require a permit to use vehicles for recreation on any private land.  Permits are subject to the suitability of the location and the proximity of other residences. If a permit is issued it is for specific periods of time and specifies the vehicles, days and duration allowable.

It is common knowledge that trail bikes, quad bikes and other vehicles used off road for recreation produce very high levels of noise. These vehicles emit noise up to 105 decibels with exceptionally unpleasant characteristics that can be extremely disturbing to receivers, particularly at close range but also from afar.

We are long term residents of the semi-rural area in the Sydney Hills District which encompasses the Hornsby Council and the Hills Shire Council areas. The area is predominantly residential homes on 5 acre blocks.

We have been seriously affected by the noise from trail bikes, quad bikes and revving cars on neighbouring private land.

The boundary of a square 5 acre block measures 142m x 142m. This does NOT provide enough area to operate trail bikes and quad bikes or to hoon cars that produce up to 105 decibels of noise without causing significant disturbance to surrounding residences.

There is a common belief that recreational riding of trail bikes and quad bikes is an  activity "to be expected" on acreage and that there is nothing you can do about it. 

Wrong!   We have successfully challenged and prevented excessive noise emitted from vehicles operated for recreational purposes on a neighbouring property.  Contact us at fighttrailbikenoise@gmail.com to find out how.

BUT…. THE NSW NOISE REGULATIONS ARE INADEQUATE

Under current NSW Noise Legislation the burden is placed on the receiver of the noise to PROVE that the noise is excessive or "offensive."  Currently there is nothing to prevent trail bikes and other vehicles for recreation operating extremely close to residences.  In our case the activity regularly took place 25 metres from our home causing extreme noise and distress.  Even if offensive or excessive noise is successfully proved and the Council or Local Courts prevent the noise by issuing a Prevention Notice or Noise Abatement Order, the direction is specific to that property only and does not protect residents from similar noise happening again from other nearby properties.

In contrast, The Tasmanian Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognises that vehicles used for recreational purposes within 500 metres of any residence are highly likely to cause unacceptable disturbance to neighbouring properties.

In drafting the legislation The Tasmanian EPA stated:  

"This provision remains largely unchanged from the 2014 Regulations.  It concerns placing a separation distance of 500 metres between premises and motor vehicles or motor vessels being used for sport or recreation.  Vehicles used on public roads are not captured by the Regulations.

These provisions relate to noise sources with exceptionally high potential for nuisance at close range, where the noise levels emitted by Accepted Modern Technology (AMT) are far above what is acceptable to most people; the particular characteristics of noise from both motor vehicles, such as trail bikes, and motor vessels can be exceptionally irritating."

Legislating a 500 metre exclusion zone from residential premises would ensure that trail bikes and other vehicles cannot be operated close to homes for recreational purposes. It would prevent their use on smaller acreages where homes are in close proximity to each other and the land is not an adequate size to protect neighbouring properties from the noise level and irritating characteristics.

The requirement for a permit would protect those on larger acreages from excessive and prolonged noise.  

We seek the support of all residents in NSW who have been adversely affected by noise from motorbikes, trail bikes, quad bikes or other vehicles on private land.

PLEASE SIGN OUR PETITION.  TELL US HOW YOU HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY NOISE. 

Email us: fighttrailbikenoise@gmail.com 

Visit our website:  www.fighttrailbikenoise.org

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Fight-Trail-Bike-Noise-101518311823189

HELP US SUCCESSFULLY lobby the NSW Government to prohibit the recreational use of trail bikes, quad bikes and other motorised recreational vehicles on private land within 500 metres of residential premises.

PROTECT YOUR RIGHT TO THE PEACEFUL ENJOYMENT OF YOUR HOME AND PROPERTY FREE FROM EXCESSIVE OR OFFENSIVE NOISE.

Sources:

*https://www.legislation.tas.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/sr-2016-057#GS8@EN