Resident battles relentless Woolworths noise ruining home peace
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Imagine finally achieving the dream of home ownership—only to discover your sanctuary is anything but peaceful.
That’s the reality for one resident who’s found himself in a battle for quiet after moving into his $750,000 Meriton apartment, only to be greeted by a cacophony of industrial noise from a Woolworths loading dock just metres from his bedroom wall.
Yang, a 32-year-old software engineer, moved into his one-bedroom Mascot Central unit with his wife and two cats, expecting a comfortable life in Sydney’s inner south.
Instead, he’s endured months of what he calls 'deafening' and 'unrelenting' noise—think reversing trucks, clanging metal, and the constant rumble of pallet jacks—starting as early as 7 am and sometimes continuing until nearly midnight.
Sydney man says Woolworths loading dock noise has turned his home life into a 'nightmare'. Credit: Google Maps
'It’s a nightmare,' Yang shared.
'The noise is very intermittent, very random and very loud. When the workers are on shift, I can put my hand on the bedroom ceiling and feel it shaking. It feels as if we’re living inside the loading dock.'
The couple, both working from home, have found it impossible to rest, work, or even relax.
Chronic sleep deprivation, anxiety, and constant frustration have become their new normal.
'Most of our free time is now spent fighting this—countless hours filming, recording, investigating and contacting different parties for help,' Yang said.
They’ve even resorted to moving their bed into the living room, where the noise is 'about 10 per cent better'—hardly a solution, but a small mercy.
Yang’s frustration is compounded by what he describes as a lack of accountability from all sides.
Despite repeated complaints to Meriton (the developer), Woolworths, and Bayside Council, he says he’s been met with deflection and denial.
'They have put a lot of effort into denying the problem, but if they had put the same amount of effort into investigating the issue, it might already have been solved,' he said.
Meriton, for its part, claims this is the first noise complaint in the building’s history, which spans over 1,200 apartments and nearly a decade of operation.
'The previous owner of the same apartment did not report any noise issues over a nine-year period, nor have we received similar concerns from other residents,' a Meriton spokesperson said.
After Yang’s initial complaints, Meriton commissioned a noise test in April, which found no issues.
Unconvinced, Yang hired his own acoustic engineer, who recorded more than two dozen noise events over two days, many of which were nearly double the limits set by the Association of Australasian Acoustical Consultants (AAAC) for 'impulsive' noises (like weights dropping in gyms).
The independent report concluded the noise was 'structure-borne, originating from activities at the Woolworths loading dock, and it consistently exceeds the impulsive noise limits set by the AAAC.'
The findings suggested the noise was not only frequent and loud, but likely to contribute to elevated stress levels for residents.
Despite this, Bayside Council ultimately sided with Meriton’s own acoustic report, which claimed noise levels were within acceptable limits.
The council has said it will continue to work with all parties to find a resolution, but for now, Yang and his wife are left in limbo.
Yang’s story highlights a growing issue in Australia’s urban centres: the challenges of mixed-use developments, where residential apartments are built alongside commercial spaces like supermarkets, gyms, and restaurants.
While these developments offer convenience, they can also bring unexpected headaches, especially when it comes to noise.
Building standards and regulations are meant to protect residents, but as this case shows, enforcement and accountability can be murky.
Acoustic insulation, building materials, and the layout of shared spaces all play a role in how much noise seeps into your home.
And when disputes arise, residents often find themselves caught between developers, businesses, and local councils—all of whom may have different priorities.
Have you ever had your peace at home shattered by unexpected noise? Do you live in a mixed-use development, or have you had to fight for your right to quiet? We’d love to hear your stories, tips, and advice in the comments below.
Read more: 'Dumb as f***': Is this household appliance actually bothering your neighbours?
That’s the reality for one resident who’s found himself in a battle for quiet after moving into his $750,000 Meriton apartment, only to be greeted by a cacophony of industrial noise from a Woolworths loading dock just metres from his bedroom wall.
Yang, a 32-year-old software engineer, moved into his one-bedroom Mascot Central unit with his wife and two cats, expecting a comfortable life in Sydney’s inner south.
Instead, he’s endured months of what he calls 'deafening' and 'unrelenting' noise—think reversing trucks, clanging metal, and the constant rumble of pallet jacks—starting as early as 7 am and sometimes continuing until nearly midnight.
Sydney man says Woolworths loading dock noise has turned his home life into a 'nightmare'. Credit: Google Maps
'It’s a nightmare,' Yang shared.
'The noise is very intermittent, very random and very loud. When the workers are on shift, I can put my hand on the bedroom ceiling and feel it shaking. It feels as if we’re living inside the loading dock.'
The couple, both working from home, have found it impossible to rest, work, or even relax.
Chronic sleep deprivation, anxiety, and constant frustration have become their new normal.
'Most of our free time is now spent fighting this—countless hours filming, recording, investigating and contacting different parties for help,' Yang said.
They’ve even resorted to moving their bed into the living room, where the noise is 'about 10 per cent better'—hardly a solution, but a small mercy.
Yang’s frustration is compounded by what he describes as a lack of accountability from all sides.
Despite repeated complaints to Meriton (the developer), Woolworths, and Bayside Council, he says he’s been met with deflection and denial.
'They have put a lot of effort into denying the problem, but if they had put the same amount of effort into investigating the issue, it might already have been solved,' he said.
'The previous owner of the same apartment did not report any noise issues over a nine-year period, nor have we received similar concerns from other residents,' a Meriton spokesperson said.
After Yang’s initial complaints, Meriton commissioned a noise test in April, which found no issues.
Unconvinced, Yang hired his own acoustic engineer, who recorded more than two dozen noise events over two days, many of which were nearly double the limits set by the Association of Australasian Acoustical Consultants (AAAC) for 'impulsive' noises (like weights dropping in gyms).
The independent report concluded the noise was 'structure-borne, originating from activities at the Woolworths loading dock, and it consistently exceeds the impulsive noise limits set by the AAAC.'
The findings suggested the noise was not only frequent and loud, but likely to contribute to elevated stress levels for residents.
The council has said it will continue to work with all parties to find a resolution, but for now, Yang and his wife are left in limbo.
Yang’s story highlights a growing issue in Australia’s urban centres: the challenges of mixed-use developments, where residential apartments are built alongside commercial spaces like supermarkets, gyms, and restaurants.
While these developments offer convenience, they can also bring unexpected headaches, especially when it comes to noise.
Building standards and regulations are meant to protect residents, but as this case shows, enforcement and accountability can be murky.
And when disputes arise, residents often find themselves caught between developers, businesses, and local councils—all of whom may have different priorities.
Read more: 'Dumb as f***': Is this household appliance actually bothering your neighbours?
