Everyone deserves a good nights sleep, but right now 24/7 construction noise and working/learning from home are having a significant impact on the well-being of people in Brunswick.

I've been hearing from many living near the Upfield Level Crossing Removal Project about the unbearable loud drilling or pile driving happening through the night, particularly near Moreland Station.

Many of us support the project and accept that it will be noisy living next door to a 24hr, 105 day long, construction blitz. But, sleep deprivation is very hard for anyone to tolerate at the best of times.

I've sent this letter on behalf of over 250 residents to the Minister for Transport Infrastructure, Jacinta Allan, requesting at least some quiet nights and for information on how long the pounding noise will last.

Dear Minister Allan,

Re: Upfield Level Crossing Removal Noise

On behalf of the residents who have signed this, I’m writing to request urgent relief for the hundreds of households kept awake at night by the nocturnal construction noise.

Since writing to you about this last week, I have received desperate emails and Facebook comments from people unable to sleep as the LXRP hammers into rock through the entire night, most nights. I’m told the earth-shaking pounding often stops during the day.

I consider that the sheer number of people affected along with the coronavirus restrictions and curfew confining them to their homes, mean this problem requires urgent action.

Common themes to the messages I’ve seen include:

• The pounding shakes houses within at least 200 metres, but the noise is waking some people over a kilometre away. Earplugs aren’t sufficient for those close by.
• Lockdown is tough enough without adding sleep deprivation.
• Many express support for the project, but feel the unexpected lockdown and curfew should force a rethink.
• At least some nights of quiet are essential. Residents want to know how much longer the pounding will last. Uncertainty is part of the problem.

I have previously stated my support for this project, and I understand noise is inevitable. But I also believe it can be managed in a way that causes less suffering to residents.

If there is a cost involved in rescheduling night work to day time, or in better communicating the noise schedule to residents, then that would be a worthwhile investment in making their lives bearable during this period. It would be a cost-effective investment in mental health.

I look forward to your response.

Yours Sincerely

Dr Tim Read

On Behalf of the Brunswick Community.