GP track comes out on top

Local residents and motorsport fans have come to the defence of the Phillip Island Circuit, after two residents at Smiths Beach voiced concerns about noise levels.

In the final edition of the Advertiser for 2020, Phil Wright and Ralph Leditschke called for more noise controls at the Phillip Island Circuit, with Phil suggesting a complaints hotline be set up by the Bass Coast Shire.

Phil – who for three decades has called for the shire and the EPA to monitor and enforce noise breaches – said he planned to advocate to the Victorian Ombudsman, because residents were otherwise powerless to act.

Ralph said while the track was a “welcome economic addition to the island” the noise during Covid restrictions was “not missed”.

“Without proper noise abatement and realistic noise levels, the operation of the track severely conflicts with Phillip Island’s values.”

However, the response from other residents of the island was overwhelmingly in favour of the circuit.

“Some people having nothing better to do than complain,” said Andrew Hall on Facebook.

“Phillip Island would not have what it has today without the racetrack.”

“The track was there long before most people who are now complaining,” said Judy Foden.

“If you don’t like it – move on.”

Some people said they loved hearing the sound of racing from the track and the “excitement and noise” that comes with race days, describing the complaints as “ridiculous”.

Others pointed out the economic benefits the track brought to the island, saying the positive impacts locally and for Victoria, “outweighs any noise”.

“It’s an icon of the island,” said Smiths Beach resident Joanne Meyer Killeen.

“I have a house at Smiths and love hearing the noise from the track. I have no issue at all with it,” said Daryl Wood.

Others labelled the pair the fun police.

“They’ll want to ban the penguins coming up the beach next,” joked Simone Mealyea.