The search for where a mysterious and persistent humming noise in Sydney’s west is coming from is one step closer to being solved.
The NSW Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has also now ordered that the two industrial sites in Rydalmere under investigation, Knauf and James Hardie, increase their noise monitoring for at least two weeks.
“Under the new licence conditions, both sites must engage specialist consultants to carry out noise monitoring and submit a Noise Impact Assessment to the EPA by late November,” the EPA advised in a statement.
The investigation comes after residents in Ermington and Rydalmere had complained about a continuous humming sound keeping them awake at night for months.
The noise was found to be coming from an industrial precinct in Camellia, also affecting residents up to three kilometres away in Ermington.
“I’m not getting any sleep, I’m waking up at two and three in the morning,” a resident said.
“It sounds like a drone sitting above your house.”
Initially, Metro West tunnelling and late-night drone activity by NSW Police were suspected of causing the noise, but they were ruled out by the City of Parramatta Council and the EPA.
”If we identify the cause of this was preventable, then we have powers under legislation to throw the book at them,” an EPA spokesperson said when the investigations began.
“I’d just like to see it stop. It’s not just a small selection of people, it’s a great number of people that have been affected by it,” a resident said.
The EPA has advised it is also investigating a a third EPA-regulated facility thought to be a source of noise in the area.
“Noise detected at this facility does not match the humming sound but does warrant further follow-up,” the EPA said in a statement.
“The noise environment in Rydalmere is complex, with several major industrial precincts nearby.”
“To better understand other sources of noise in the area, we’ve installed a 24/7 noise monitor at a residential property in Rydalmere and will be reviewing data from this device weekly for the next month.
“We understand that noise pollution is frustrating and want to reassure the community that addressing this issue is a priority.”
