Melbourne School's Noise Shield Quietly Cut

Noise protection measures for Belle Vue Primary School as part of Melbourne's North East Link project have been significantly downgraded, causing alarm among local residents. Initially planned noise walls have been eliminated or substantially reduced in height and material quality. A nine-meter acoustic wall was reduced to three to four meters, and a separate three-meter wall was abandoned entirely. Residents express concerns that these changes, driven by cost-cutting amid the project's budget blowout to $26 billion, will compromise children's health and wellbeing. The project, due to finish in 2028, has also seen a significant decline in student enrollment at the school, which fell to a decade low of 126 students last year. Experts suggest the reduced barriers may not meet environmental standards, potentially leading to increased exposure to traffic noise and pollution. The project has faced other issues, including a sinkhole at a sports oval and controversial downgrades to wildlife crossings. Opposition figures criticize the government for cutting corners on community protection due to project mismanagement.