Local Residents
The Melbourne Racing Club appreciates the support of local residents, and this section outlines a number of areas of specific interest or relevance to those resident who live within the vicinity of the property.
Promotions and free ticket offers
UPCOMING EVENTS
Through feedback from residents the Club is aware that the events causing the most concern tend to be the car racing days (noise) and large event days (traffic). To assist with better information before the event, allowing residents time to prepare, here is a list of those occurring over the next 2-3 months:
Shannons Nationals Nov 28-30
The final motorsport weekend of the year. This event will be monitored for noise. It does not involve any burnouts or entertainment displays which are cause for concern to residents.
ANNUAL EVENTS
To better inform residents well in advance, please refer to the following list of annual events held each year, what the Club does to meet any permit conditions, and a few helpful tips to assist residents.
Sandown V8 Supercar Round (1 Aug 2009)
This annual V8 Supercar weekend is one of the biggest events held in the City. The Council and CAMS closely monitor the noise levels, while the Club also employs traffic control measures via Gate 14 on the Sunday before the race concludes, to assist residents in Alamein St.
In 2008 the promoters heeded resident feedback from the previous year, and ensured there was no repeat of the jet fighter fly-past.
Easternats
This is also one of the biggest events conducted at Sandown, held over 3 days each Easter, attracting motorkhana enthusiasts from around the State. Due to the nature of the on track activities, extra vigilance is made for any vehicles exceeding the 95db(A) rating. The Club has recently worked with the Promoter and Council Permit Officers to step up controls of entrants doing burnouts in non-designated areas. Air quality testing is conducted on each day.
Large Festivals
Throughout the year, predominantly in February and March, the venue hosts a number of cultural festivals such as the Indian, Vietnamese, Chilean and Holland events. The larger festivals can create additional traffic around the entry points.
Tips to assist residents:
- Take five minutes each 2-3 months to check this site for upcoming events, such as those motorsport weekends rated 95db(A) or festivals where large crowds are expected. This way residents are not reliant on the media to learn when the smaller ones are on (unexpectedly), and preparations can be made.
- For those residents with pets, check the festivals that may have fireworks displays at night, and the times these are expected to be performed. Pets can then be bought inside during the short time the fireworks are on.
- Always check the prevailing wind conditions (refer to Noise recording section below).
- Plan ahead. If residents are looking at upcoming dates to hold an event at home, it could pay to check if any large event is on the event calendar at Sandown, so planning steps can be made to avoid traffic or noise issues.
- If travelling on the Sunday morning of Sandown 500, plan a route that avoids the section of Corrigan Road, between Princes Highway and the rail line (Lightwood Rd)
NOISE CONTROL MEASURES
The Melbourne Racing Club is proactive in its approach to addressing the concerns of noise levels from events at Sandown. Sandown staff are equipped and trained in the use of special noise monitoring equipment, used on all motorsport and Limited Car Club days. Staff pay particular attention to event, ensuring any vehicle exceeding the Council permit conditions are removed from the track and are not permitted back until conforming to the noise limits set.
NOISE RECORDING
Residents need to be aware that the prevailing weather conditions have a profound impact on the level of noise emanating from the track. Sandown is very open to the elements, and often the prevailing winds will pick up noise and carry it some distance downwind. This is often the cause of concern for some residents on racedays, when they are located downwind of the source. Similarly on a 'still' but wet day, the noise can often be amplified as it bounces off the wet track surface.
These are not excuses, they simply illustrate the weather does have a significant bearing on why some days the noise appears to be greater than others.
LATEST NEWS (Nov 7-9, 2008): Several complaints regarding noise on the Friday were dealt with. Council on site during weekend to ensure permit conditions were met.
LOCAL TRAFFIC
On occasion the larger events cause concerns for neighbouring streets with increases in passing traffic and car parking.
The Club has the luxury of providing over 7,000 parking spots inside the perimeter, and it is only at the V8 Round when these are anywhere near capacity. The Club does close Gate 14 late in the day to avoid traffic leaving down Alamein Road. This procedure is also considered on any of the other days where the crowd numbers are very high.
On the morning of the V8 Round, traffic queues form some distance along Corrigan Rd for those patrons accessing the viewing mounds on the back straight. Traffic controllers are on site to assist to lessen the impact of delays.
Please refer to the attached document which explains the improvements to traffic issues on Sandown Road & Alamein Street
VENUE SECURITY
Due to the nature of Motorsport it is important that the car track is kept safe from unwelcome intruders. The Club employs on-site security to constantly patrol the venue, and the premises are securely locked down each night. Most motorsport events cease on the car track around 5.30pm. Residents are assured that no racing cars are competing on the track after 6.00pm. During daylight saving the track is occasionally used for driver education lessons after 6pm.
If you hear loud vehicle noises around the area after 6pm on any weekday - these are not coming from the Sandown car track.
PROMOTIONS and FREE TICKET OFFERS
From time to time the Club would like to extend special offers to local residents in recognition of the on-going support.
LATEST OFFER: Over 30 local residents and their families took up the offer of FREE admission to the recent Historic Sandown car race meeting on Sunday November 11th.
HORSE RACING - From January 1, 2008 to July 31, 2008, local residents are welcome to contact Sandown for complimentary admission for any midweek or weekend race meeting.
To take up either of this offer, local residents simply email us your name and address to contact@melbourneracingclub.net.au or post to
Sandown Racecourse
Local Resident Ticket Offer
P.O.Box 389
Noble Park VIC 3174
FEEDBACK OPTION
Resident feedback is welcomed via contact@melbourneracingclub.net.au
