Of course modifications to house will be necessary at a site like this and they come at a significant cost to the developer and home buyer.The modifications I am about to outline will add about $25,000 to the price of a newty-built house.That will still mean a cheaper house than in a less noisy and more desirable area.

A bit of background would not go astray.I understand that you are all familiar with the proposed development site at Manchester Park.

It's particularly difficult one in terms of noise with the highway along the eastern perimeter and the Blacktown airport not 3 kilometres away to the north.

Of course,those nearest the highway will be the worst hit,with heavy traffic noise as well as the noise from the light planes overhead.As you all know,the normal noise threshold for private housing is 55 decibels.At this site the levels have been recorded s high as 67 decibels.