Big Brother watching noisy vehicles

Following almost three years of testing and development, the fully-automated systems aimed at reducing noise are ready to be installed on the nation’s streets.

The camera-based system uses microphones to monitor and analyse sound activity. When a noise crosses the set threshold, it stores 10 seconds of audio and video, generating a ticket.

New South Wales is beginning its roll-out of the noise camera program, while South Australia and Victoria already have similar programs targeting commercial vehicles using compression brakes.

Officials say the programs in those states can easily be expanded to encompass other noise issues, including loud passenger vehicle exhausts, stereo systems or other noise pollution.