A new anti-hooning measure has been put in place south of Sydney in Austinmer, in the shape of a noise camera that automatically snaps drivers with loud cars. However, the area has become deafening for residents, with hoons targeting the location.
The cameras are activated by microphones when cars and motorcycles emit noise beyond the state's decibel limits, with most cars limited to 90 decibels of noise from the exhaust, while motorcycles cannot exceed 94 decibels, depending on the year of manufacture.
A camera in Austinmer, New South Wales, which has been in trial mode since December 2024, has reportedly worsened the noise situation.
Local Wollongong newspaper, the Illawarra Mercury, reported that local residents have noticed an increase in motorcycles and cars revving, beeping their horn past it and causing a ruckus in the area.
"Somehow the bikers and the noisy cars have found out and they're blasting their horns or revving their bikes right next to the camera to set it off," one local resident told the Wollongong newspaper.
"It's made the problem worse if anything, but we're hoping that'll die down when they bring fines in."
The EPA has the power to issue fines of between $150 and $500 to individuals. In contrast, the police can issue a $206 fine for "operating a vehicle to produce unnecessary noise" – including performing a burnout or revving.
Fines can also be issued for altering an exhaust or air intake to increase noise levels, while drivers can receive two demerit points and a $150 fine for "causing an offensive noise to be emitted from a … sound system".
It is unclear if the cameras will fine for noise emitted by a horn, but unnecessarily using it can also land you a fine of up to $349 in New South Wales.
However, the hoons are shooting themselves in the foot with their act of defiance. Despite the authorities withholding fines during the trial, it's still collecting data that the EPA will present to the local council regarding their effectiveness – so the more cars detected during the trial, the more likely the camera will become a permanent fixture.
Whether or not the camera will stay will be determined closer to the end of the trial towards December 2025.
Zane Dobie comes from a background of motorcycle journalism, working for notable titles such as Australian Motorcycle News Magazine, Just Bikes and BikeReview. Despite his fresh age, Zane brings a lifetime of racing and hands-on experience. His passion now resides on four wheels as an avid car collector, restorer, drift car pilot and weekend go-kart racer.
