The Noise Impact Assessment Report required for Section 1 (Footscray) of the RRL project has now been submitted to the office of the Minister for Planning.

Following the submission of the RRLA's woefully inadequate noise and vibration impact assessment report in September 2010, the Minister for Planning instructed the RRLA to produce a new assessment - this time with the participation of the Environmental Protection Authority and peer reviewers. .

Despite repeated requests from the community, the Minister for Planning has not committed to making this report public. The FFRR group again urges Mr Guy to release the report in full.

The present government government quite rightly accused the previous government of a ''scandalous cover-up'' in respect of noise impacts and vowed to investigate fully the project's environmental and health impacts.

Unfortunately, this government appears to have maintained the culture of secrecy it previously condemned. A 'scandalous cover-up' can only be resolved through full and open airing. The public release of this latest report would assist in restoring transparency.

Write to the Minister for Planning, Matthew Guy, to express your concerns, asking for...

• A commitment to noise and pollution control in the design of the new tracks, and transparency regarding design elements.
• Equality for residents affected by road and rail projects — some noise/pollution standards exist for residents affected by major road construction; why isn’t there any protection for those  affected by rail works?
• Proper noise and pollution assessments and public release of the results — we shouldn’t have to put in a Freedom of Information request to access this information.
• Open discussion about mitigation strategies and a willingness to design solutions for individual sections of the track — there won't be a "one size fits all" solution to noise mitigation.
• Protection for communities and a commitment to ensure the west is no worse off because of the RRL.
• A commitment to maintain levels of noise and pollution to national and international best practice — and ultimately, state and/or national rail standards relating to noise and pollution.