We’ve received the following letter of complaint that was sent to Council. As with most things connected with the racecourse and the MRC, residential amenity appears to be the last thing to worry either the Melbourne Racing Club, or for that matter, Council.
We have been asked to remove the sender’s name.
Dear sir,
I have been driven to write to you about the continual flouting of local law by the Melbourne Racing Club at Caulfield Racecourse with respect to illegal noise levels. These are illegal by virtue of the excessive volume that penetrates inside residential dwellings yet some distance from the racecourse itself – never mind those in the immediate vicinity (according to a resident of Fitzgibbon Crescent, for example. Name can be supplied upon request).
Although there are many examples on a relatively regular basis, today the racecourse rented out its premises to the “I dream all day” music event (rave/festival). The incessant bass pounded all day penetrating our home and garden. We were unable to relax the whole day. The children were unable to sleep. Now, don’t misunderstand, I LOVE electronic dance music, and attend the odd festival myself – but these are not held in a residential suburb. When I went to inspect the source of the noise, the walls of the racecourse along Station Street, cladded with corrugated iron, were reverberating from the amazing volume of sound.The noise level was entirely inappropriate for the residential surrounds of the racecourse (surrounded as it is on all sides by family homes), and was undoubtedly beyond any legal limit. It penetrated throughout my home far away in Eskdale Road. It went on and on all day with no respite.
Other events that the racecourse holds for its own profit at the expense of residents resulting in shattered neighbourhood amenity include funfairs with blaring music in the Western car-park adjacent to Kambrook road despite the residential nature of the area. That noise also goes all day and overwhelms us inside our dwellings as well as outside in our gardens.
While investigating these issues, it is vital that you ensure that the racecourse also respects local law regarding sound levels with respect to the incessant droning of the race commentators every Saturday. Residents have a right to peaceful amenity without the incessant droning of the commentator over the PA system at unacceptable levels. After all, if it is legal and acceptable for the racecourse to broadcast its ‘soundtrack’ such that it is heard clearly in surrounding dwellings, then it is just as legal for surrounding dwellings to broadcast their own soundtrack at the same levels which will be clearly heard at the racecourse! Not something decent residents do, but that doesn’t seem to matter a jot to the racing club which treats residents with contempt.
I respectfully request that you take the matter further with the Melbourne Racing Club, and please keep me informed of any developments in this area.
Yours
xxxxxxxxx
February 12, 2015 at 9:55 AM
probably be bringing this up with CRRT as they are the landlord for a non existant lease! Notice CRRT.ORG.AU site is down. Does this mean the organisation no longer exists?
February 12, 2015 at 10:12 AM
Symonds sure is a busy bloke that he aint got time for conflict of interest
http://www.theage.com.au/sport/horseracing/mystery-of-racings-missing-200-million-20150211-13c0u1.html
February 12, 2015 at 3:40 PM
Glad that the Racecourse has kept the tin fence up.
February 12, 2015 at 6:34 PM
Their website is advertising a “family day”. That’s the right idea. Get the kids young into racing, gambling. Would be nice if family days aka community days were just that and had nothing whatsoever to do with racing. That would be like letting the public use public land without having to pay a cent to get in. Not in the mrc’s best interests to give free access to residents and neighbours. If they can make a penny and pretend that they’ve got the best interests of the community at heart they’ll give it a go.
February 12, 2015 at 9:37 PM
Geez Peter, you are such a whinger. The racecourse is here to stay so you and your sister should just get out and find another suburb.
February 13, 2015 at 8:47 AM
yes it would be great if it was only a racecourse. Problem is noone likes racing so it is every other money making scheme that is the real issue.
February 13, 2015 at 9:01 AM
My sister has got out and is thanking her lucky stars she did it early enough. I’m not whinging about the racecourse. I’m whinging about gambling and kids and why the mrc is still charging entry when the pox agreement with council said they were going to hold 3 community days at least. Combining racing with entry fees isn’t giving a damn thing back to people and makes more money for the silver foxes.
February 13, 2015 at 9:14 AM
funny thing about this community days is that they often get government funding as well. I spose govt gets huge money out of punters so they should encourage the next generation!
February 13, 2015 at 9:28 AM
Government generosity to the MRC knows no bounds from the looks of things –
http://rv.racing.com/news/2014-10-11/investment-at-caulfield-racecourse-provides-benefits-for-fans-and-participants
February 13, 2015 at 11:27 AM
funny how they could possibly think that this could get them votes. No wonder we are in this budget mess. Governments look after their mates first and people last. Just look at the way they allocate funds to school building.
February 13, 2015 at 7:32 AM
All this is about selling real estate in the air, get them, when they are young, make them think its a cool place, by the time stage 1 is for sale, BINGO you have your fans. To easy hey, (MODERATORS: phrase deleted) the MRC can do no wrong, all complaints will be given the run-around. Investors buying off the plan will not be spooked one iota by GECC will they
February 13, 2015 at 2:43 PM
Where is Magee the Magoo?
February 13, 2015 at 8:18 PM
It’s actually not so clear that Council has primary responsibility here for the noise issue concerning a concert at the Racecourse. There doesn’t appear to be a local law cover it for example, although it probably does have powers under Public Health and Wellbeing Act. The EPA also has powers and has special requirements for outdoor venue noise: SEPP N-2. Were the noise limits specified in SEPP N-2 exceeded? For that matter was the event authorised by the public land manager or council under a local law, or did it require a Planning Permit? It’s so difficult getting information out of Council on any matter concerning public safety or amenity.