(Image above: the site before the stabling yard works – Google Maps)

Abbotsford residents have been left fuming after they weren’t made aware a stabling yard near Victoria Park Station had been turned into a permanent home for noisy industrial equipment which operates throughout the night.

The project is believed to have been in the works for two years and cost millions of dollars.

Noise heard in nearby homes has at times been up to 90 decibels.

Until Monday, residents believed the noise interrupting their sleep was temporary.

“We’ve been having construction works here for eight months and we’ve been given a range of stories. It was supposed to be the extension of the existing passenger stabling yard where they store some of the passenger trains,” spokesperson for the Abbotsford Residents’ group, Adam Promnitz, told Tony Jones, filling in for Neil Mitchell.

“It was only on Monday night after Metro finally met with us that they indicated to us that this is a permanent arrangement and these nightworks will be a permanent feature going forward.”

Mr Promnitz says Public Transport Minister Ben Carroll and the Department of Transport have refused to engage with residents.

He believes the stabling yard goes against the Department of Transport’s Passenger Rail Infrastructure Noise Policy.

Residents have re-escalated the issue with the Environmental Protection Authority.

In a statement, the Department of Transport said it’s aware of the residents’ frustrations.

“We are looking into the situation and will work with the residents and Metro Trains on a solution quickly,” a department spokesperson said.

Press PLAY below to hear the residents’ complaints