A trial of cameras to detect noise-causing vehicles in built-up areas has come to an end in New South Wales.
Although exact figures have not been released, the state government says the cameras – placed in Wollongong and Bayside councils – have collected data which is now being analyzed by the NSW Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).
Authorities claim that all recorded noise incidents were related to aggressive acceleration, with motorcycles responsible for about 55 percent of the incidents – even though they accounted for only four percent of vehicles registered in the state.
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Nights and weekends were found to be peak times for noisy vehicles; However, the New South Wales government claims 55 per cent of recorded events were caused by the same group of vehicles commuting throughout the day.
“Noisy vehicles and anti-social driver behavior are a major frustration for many Wollongong residents,” said Minister Paul Scully, Member for Wollongong.
“The noise camera trial demonstrated that, although the technology is still developing, it can provide useful insights to help improve enforcement.
“It shows that it is a small number of drivers who are doing the wrong thing and are causing a major nuisance to local residents.”
However, in August 2025, residents of the Wollongong suburb of Austinmer claimed the technology had actually made the situation “unbearable”, with hoons deliberately targeting the noise cameras, they said Illawarra Mercury.
“Somehow the cyclists and the loud cars figured it out and are honking or revving their bikes right next to the camera to trigger the camera,” a local told the newspaper at the time.
“If anything, it has made the problem worse, but we hope that will subside as fines are imposed.”
While the cameras themselves did not issue any fines during the testing phase, which began in December 2024, the EPA worked with NSW Police and Transport for NSW to “target noisy and illegally converted vehicles” – with officers conducting inspections for emissions decibel tests.
Cars and motorcycles with emissions or audio systems that exceed legal limits can be subject to on-the-spot fines of up to $600, with repeat offenders at risk of prosecution.
According to the office of NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe, a total of 16 vehicles were hit with defect notices as a result of enforcement actions in Bulli and Rockdale at the end of 2025.
“We have heard the community’s concerns about motorists and motorcyclists. This trial and compliance will help drive further action on our roads,” Minister Sharpe said in a statement.
“The (NSW) Government is continuing its efforts to identify noisy and illegally modified vehicles. Officers are carrying out random checks in Hooning hotspots and assessing whether vehicles are meeting noise standards.”
Earlier this month, the city of Port Phillip in Melbourne began increasing pressure on the Victorian government to launch its own legal proceedings.
“Council has been advocating for anti-hoon measures since 2022 as our residents should not feel frightened and sleep-deprived by this dangerous behavior,” Port Phillip Mayor Alex Making said, claiming he had received almost 150 complaints from residents about hoon behavior.
MORE: Police crack down on hoons at Summernats
