Eleven Springvale and Fountain Gate motorists face fines of nearly $1,000 each following roadside EPA Victoria noise testing.
EPA’s noise enforcement team joined in a multi-agency vehicle testing operation over the weekend targeting vehicles in Springvale and Fountain Gate.
Operation HADES- 2023, led by Victoria Police, involved officers from Victoria Police (Highway Patrol &, Drug/ Alcohol bus), City of Greater Dandenong Local Laws, City of Casey Local Laws, Department of Transport and Planning, Department of Justice and Community Safety (Sheriff’s Office) and Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA).
Vehicles identified by police on nearby roads were escorted to a testing station at Springvale Mega Centre which operated on Friday night (17 Nov), and Fountain Gate Shopping Centre on Saturday night (18 Nov).
Eleven noisy motorists face a $961.55 fine each for exceeding noise limits following the joint operations.
“Excessively noisy vehicles are a real annoyance for many people. Operation HADES -2023 sends a message to the motoring community about the proper use and maintenance of vehicles including the fact that not everyone enjoys the sound of your car or bike as much as you do,” EPA Compliance Programs Unit Manager Dan Hunt said.
“Of the 11 vehicles pulled over and noise tested, all will receive fines and that’s a bit disappointing.”
Owners whose vehicles fail to comply with noise emission limits will receive a Vehicle Testing Notice (VTN). The notice directs the owner of the vehicle to take it to an EPA approved vehicle tester to get a Certificate of Compliance.
Failure to comply with the notice may result in further infringement notices or the vehicle registration being suspended. That fine could be as much as $1,090 for an individual who is still not able to drive the vehicle until it is deemed compliant. If the matter goes to court that could rise as high as $5,452 for individuals and up to $54,522 for businesses.
Anyone can report a noisy vehicle to Victoria Police at any time, and they then alert EPA.
Proper servicing of your vehicle and avoiding installation of aftermarket devices or exhaust components that increase vehicle noise emissions are simple steps that can be taken by individuals.
HADES-2023 is one of many operations planned by EPA Victoria to target excessively loud vehicle owners, in partnership with Victoria Police, in the next 12 months.
And Mr Hunt warned that if you choose to fit aftermarket exhaust systems that breach permitted limits, not only will you be caught and fined., but the supplier or installer of those systems could also be in breach of the law and also face a fine.
EPA and vehicle noise
• EPA regulates noise and emissions from light vehicles – under 4.5 T gross
• The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator regulates noise from heavy vehicles
• EP vehicle regulations cover vehicles in use on a highway only
• Noise limits are adopted from Federal standards
Reports of noisy vehicles.
• EPA receives noisy vehicle reports from Police Officers.
• Officers must observe the noisy vehicle on the highway
• The registered owner will receive a vehicle testing notice and have 28 days to have their vehicle tested and certified compliant at an EPA approved noise tester.
• EPA issued 4,841 vehicle testing notices between 1 July 2022 and 30 June 2023
• If they fail to have their vehicle certified as compliant, an individual may receive an infringement of $1,090
• Increases to $5,452 for a company owned vehicle.
Operations with Victoria Police
• EPA operates coregulatory noisy vehicle operations with Victoria Police
If you wish to report a noisy vehicle
• Inform your local police station if the vehicle is seen on the road
• Noise from a vehicle idling at a residence for a long time may be unreasonable. You can report this to your local council.
• You can also report concerns about road traffic noise to the Department of Transport or your local council.
If you want to check your own vehicle is compliant
• You can book a test with an EPA approved noise tester. Go to https://www.epa.vic.gov.au/for-community/how-to/book-vehicle-noise-test
