Primary Goals of the Petition:

• Immediate and proactive Police intervention to deter hooning.
• Install Noise Cameras on Blues Point Road and Milsons Point especially around Bradfield Park to effectively deter and eliminate hooning activities.

----------------------------------------The Petition----------------------------------------------------

To the Honourable 

• Mayor of North Sydney
• North Sydney Council Members
• NSW Police
• Ms Felicity Lesley Wilson, Member of Legislative Assembly, North Shore

We, the undersigned residents and concerned members of the North Sydney community, call for immediate and effective measures to address the escalating noise pollution in and around Blues Point Road, Milsons Point, Kirribilli, and Lavender Street — with particular concern for the areas surrounding Blues Point Reserve and Bradfield Park.

This iconic part of Sydney, celebrated for its world-class views of the Harbour Bridge and city skyline, is increasingly being disrupted by vehicles fitted with illegally modified or excessively loud exhaust systems. These vehicles often congregate in the area during evenings and weekends, creating persistent and intolerable levels of noise. Many of the drivers also engage in reckless and anti-social behaviours — including speeding, burnouts, and unnecessary engine revving — further worsening the disturbance and compromising public safety.

What was once a peaceful and scenic precinct has become, for many residents, a source of ongoing distress and sleep disruption. The impact on our health, wellbeing, and quality of life is serious and growing. We urge the relevant authorities to take meaningful enforcement and regulatory action without delay. 

Background

Since February 2024, there has been a marked increase in noise disturbances, particularly on weekends and late into the evenings, when groups of drivers engage in hooning activities. These individuals frequently engage in dangerous and anti-social driving behaviors, including burnouts and speeding, which intensifies noise pollution. This has led to ongoing disruptions for residents all along Blues Point Road, with those living in Blues Point Tower and residences along the roads especially affected due to the close proximity to traffic noise. The numerous roadside cafes, restaurants and shops all along Blues Point Road are also adversely affected. 

Our Requests

To protect the well-being of our community and to restore peace to this residential area, we respectfully request the following actions:

• Install Noise Cameras Along Blues Point Road
  The New South Wales Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is currently conducting a noise camera trial in the Bayside and Wollongong council areas, responding to community concerns about noisy vehicles and antisocial behaviour. We propose that the Council formally request the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and the NSW Government to include Blues Point Road and Lavender Street in the current noise camera trial. Noise cameras would allow for continuous monitoring and enforcement, helping to protect residents from the detrimental effects of vehicle noise. 
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• Police Patrols on Weekends
  We request increased police presence over the weekends, particularly during the evening hours, to monitor and address hooning activities. Police officers should be empowered to issue on-the-spot fines for anti-social driving behaviors, including speeding and excessive noise, to discourage hoons from gathering in the area. Recently, a member of the public was verbally harassed and intimidated by a group of individuals engaging in hooning behavior after attempting to film their activities. Given this incident, a police presence is both urgent and essential.
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• Lower the Speed Limit on Blues Point Road to 40 km/hr
  The current speed limit is too high for a high density residential street hence we request reducing the speed limit from 50 km/hr to 40 km/hr would help curb hooning behavior, as high-speed driving is directly associated with anti-social and dangerous driving practices. Lowering the speed limit is a necessary step to ensure Blues Point Road is safer and quieter for residents and pedestrians. 
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• Lower the Speed Limit on Lavender Street to 40 km/hr
  The current speed limit on Lavender Street increases from 25 km/hr in the Central section to 50 km/hr before it intersects with Blues Point Road. We propose reducing this speed limit to 40 km/hr to discourage rapid acceleration.
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• Install Multi-Speed Cameras to Enforce Speed Limits
  To effectively enforce the new speed limit, we recommend installing speed cameras on Blues Point Road. These cameras would act as a strong deterrent for speeding and would help ensure that the area remains safe and quiet.
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• Install Traffic-Calming Measures
  We propose installing multiple traffic-calming measures, Lane Narrowing with Median Islands, Raised Pedestrian crossings (Currently installed on Lavender Street and northern end of the McMahons Point shops), Chicanes, Speed Cushions (Currently installed on Lavender Street) to deter speeding and disruptive behaviour whilst allowing trucks and buses to straddle them. These modifications will make Blues Point Road a less attractive location for hoons, helping to mitigate noise pollution.

Conclusion
The noise pollution along Blues Point Road and Lavender Street has reached an intolerable level, severely impacting the health and quality of life of residents. With noise pollution linked to significant health issues, from cardiovascular disease and mental health disorders to sleep disturbances and stress, immediate action is necessary. We respectfully urge the North Sydney Council, NSW Police, and our local MP to prioritize the above measures to safeguard our community’s well-being and restore peace to this area.

Thank you for your attention and commitment to making North Sydney a safer, healthier, and more liveable community for all.

Appendix: The Negative Impact of Noise Pollution on Human Health

Noise pollution is not merely a nuisance; it is a serious public health issue with far-reaching consequences:

• Cardiovascular Health Risks: A comprehensive review published in the European Heart Journal outlines how noise pollution contributes to the development of hypertension, ischemic heart disease, and stroke. The study emphasises that noise acts as a stressor, leading to increased levels of stress hormones, endothelial dysfunction, and elevated blood pressure, all of which are critical factors in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. 
  Additionally, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has recognised environmental noise as a substantial public health concern. In its Environmental Noise Guidelines for the European Region, the WHO highlights that long-term exposure to noise levels above certain thresholds is associated with adverse health outcomes, including cardiovascular diseases.

• Mental Health Effects: Chronic exposure to environmental noise has been linked to various mental health issues, including increased risks of depression and anxiety. A systematic review and meta-analysis published in Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology examined multiple studies and found that individuals exposed to high levels of noise pollution are more likely to experience depressive symptoms and anxiety disorders.
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• Sleep Disturbances: Noise pollution at night significantly impacts sleep quality, contributing to insomnia and fatigue, which can weaken the immune system and impair cognitive function. This is particularly problematic for residents near Blues Point Reserve, who endure elevated noise levels well into the night​. (Source: World Health Organisation (WHO)) .
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• Cognitive Impairment in Children: Chronic exposure to environmental noise, particularly from traffic and aircraft, has been linked to cognitive impairments in children. A comprehensive study published in PLOS Medicine examined the impact of road traffic noise on cognitive development among schoolchildren in Barcelona, Spain. 
  Additionally, a systematic review and meta-analysis published in Environmental Research analyzed multiple studies and found that environmental noise exposure is associated with cognitive impairment in children. The analysis highlighted that noise pollution negatively affects reading comprehension and language abilities, further emphasizing the detrimental impact on children's cognitive development.