Speedway row heading into final lap

The Auckland City Council will contribute towards soundproofing of homes overlooking Western Springs speedway as part of a "commonsense solution" drawn up by former High Court judge Peter Salmon, QC.

His independent report has concluded that the best way to settle the dispute between the speedway and residents is to limit the number of events and the finishing times.

And after visiting two of the most affected houses during a speedway event where he found it impossible to talk outside and unpleasant inside, Mr Salmon recommended the council help soundproof homes in West View and Old Mill Rds.

That would make it comfortable for residents inside their houses, even if they were not able to be comfortable outside, he said.

Residents were not commenting yesterday but their lawyer, Martin Williams, said the council should pay most of the cost of soundproofing, which could include measures such as double-glazing.

A council spokeswoman did not know how many houses would qualify for assistance.

She said tests would be carried out during the coming speedway season, from November to March.

So far, the council has spent $202,000 on legal, noise and other expert costs in the dispute.

Mr Salmon said acoustic upgrading should be a matter of urgency to provide homeowners with the earliest possible protection from excessive speedway noise inside their homes.

The report's recommendations are similar to those reached in a mediated settlement reached in October last year between the council, the speedway promoter, Spring Promotions, and the Springs Stadium Residents' Association.

Mr Salmon took into account the long history of motor racing at Western Springs and the inability of the speedway promoter to stick to council-imposed noise limits, as well as the concerns of residents to find a "commonsense solution".

"Generally speaking the best practicable option must be found in the area of limiting the number of events and the time they finish and ensuring in this way that the residents have certainty as to the times when they will be free of speedway noise," the report said.

Speedway promoter Dave Stewart endorsed a commonsense approach, saying whatever happened next had to give thought to the residents.

The city council plans to develop a resource consent application based on Mr Salmon's recommendations.

"From speedway's point of view as long as we can operate at the right noise levels then a reduction in meetings is acceptable," Mr Stewart said.

It was difficult to comment at this stage on proposed new noise levels, he said, because Mr Salmon had recommended changing the method of measuring these.

"But I believe by looking at it that we probably can".

Mr Williams said residents were broadly satisfied with Mr Salmon's report and recommendations, which partly vindicated their complaints.

Mr Salmon had found that the type of noise produced over the years was unacceptable and needed addressing.

Mr Williams was also pleased Mr Salmon had addressed public criticism that people moving into the area must have done so knowing about the noise from the speedway.

"Peter Salmon has addressed that argument quite comprehensively by saying they didn't quite appreciate quite how noisy it would be; that just because you were there first doesn't mean the basis of your position is inherently correct.

"Lots of things in life were there first but aren't necessarily right and the Resource Management Act does require our environment to become progressively improved."

SETTLEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS

* Maximum of 12 event days and two practice days per season, with limits on finishing times.

* At least six race-free days between any two racing events and an average of 12 race-free days between events over the racing season.

* Maximum of two rained-out events during the season.

* New noise limits. Within one year the event must not exceed 82 decibels and after a further two years 80 decibels.

* Provide information to local residents and advertise race details.

* The Auckland City Council to undertake noise reduction for properties in West View and Old Mill Rds.