Police target hoons

Police from the Melbourne Highway Patrol say they are continuously patrolling the Lorimer St area where hoon motorists regularly gather.

Docklands News has received a growing number of complaints from Yarra’s Edge residents in recent times regarding regular group meet-ups on Friday and Saturday nights through Lorimer St and South Wharf Drive.

In May, residents provided pictures of tyre marks on the grass at Point Park where hoon motorists are alleged to have done burnouts. The gatherings can attract anywhere from 20 to 100 cars and continue to frustrate locals.

Acting Sgt Alix Watson from the Melbourne Highway Patrol told Docklands News this month that police and unmarked vehicles were regularly patrolling the area and that a special operation was in the pipeline to target the issue.

“We’ve got to consider our members’ safety too in these situations as often when we arrive the cars will scatter like flies, which have led to a number of dangerous incidents involving our members. We have to be very careful of how we manage it,” acting Sgt Watson said.

Residents are also reminded to raise any noise complaints with the Environment Protection Authority (EPA), which can issue fines to motorists of more than $800.

EPA regulatory programs manager Dr Briony Ruse told Docklands News that it had issued 23 fines related to noise in Docklands during the 2018/19 financial year.

“In the 2018/19 financial year, EPA received 1954 reports state-wide from Victoria Police, of which 23 came from the Docklands, 111 from the Melbourne CBD and 52 from Port Melbourne,” Dr Ruse said.

“Noisy vehicles can disrupt the amenity of a local area and be detrimental to getting a good night’s sleep. EPA encourages residents who are concerned about a noisy vehicle to report the details to Victoria Police.”

The EPA receives reports of noisy vehicles from police, which then issues the registered owner with a notice requiring them to submit a certificate of compliance within 28 days.  

To obtain a certificate of compliance, they must have the vehicle noise-tested at an approved testing centre and if it exceeds the regulations, carry out works to ensure it complies.

If the owner of the vehicle does not comply, they will be fined five penalty units (currently $826.10).

“Allowable noise levels vary by vehicle type and age, so a Mustang isn’t expected to be as quiet as a Prius,” Dr Ruse said. “Vehicles manufactured from 2005 on have their own individual allowable noise limits, which you can search online at greenvehicleguide.gov.au.”

“Drivers and riders who choose to modify their vehicles leave themselves open to enforcement action from EPA and Victoria Police if their vehicles are identified as being too loud.”