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It's the Belconnen suburb where they just won't turn down the bangers. Quiet Kaleen has become one of Canberra's noisiest suburbs, with double the number of complaints about loud music as Kingston or Civic. Data from Access Canberra showed almost 90 per cent of noise complaints made by Kaleen residents in the 12 months to May referred to amplified music noise. It also revealed complaints about loud music in Kaleen have jumped by 600 per cent since 2015. That stark rise came as a surprise to Belconnen Community Council chair Glen Hyde. He said Kaleen was a fairly quiet suburb, although he believed more families were moving into the area. "There was a period there when Belconnen went through the urban infill stage around Spence where people were coming to us saying the noise was ridiculous, construction was starting about 6.30am and finishing about 8pm," Mr Hyde said. "[Complaints about] music is a little left field for me." In the year to May, more than 2100 noise complaints were made to Access Canberra, compared to about 1300 in 2015. Braddon residents had the most to gripe about, lodging 118 complaints with the regulator. Bizarrely, almost half of the Braddon complaints (53) related to noisy gym equipment. Less than a third of complaints were about loud music, despite Braddon's popularity as an entertainment precinct. Kaleen (96), Kingston and Kambah (89) were the next noisiest suburbs. Amplified music accounted for 60 per cent of all noise complaints lodged between May 2016 and May 2017 (1179). Despite the level of construction under way in Canberra, noise from construction sites prompted just 13 per cent of complaints (266), slightly higher than noisy air conditioning units (256). An Access Canberra spokeswoman said those frustrated with the noise in their suburb needed to address it at the source rather than filing a complaint off the bat. "Most often a simple conversation with a neighbour can resolve the issue. Many times a neighbour may not be aware of the impact noise on their property is having - such as through a noisy air-conditioner or pool pump which may face a neighbouring property and they are happy to work to support a resolution," she said. "Often other noise concerns can be short-term - such as construction work - and the community can make contact with a site manager directly to advise of their concerns (contact details are provided on the fencing of a construction/work site)." Disgruntled neighbours can also try mediation through the Conflict Resolution Service. "Some noise is expected as part of living in our suburbs, particularly newer suburbs where construction is ongoing or our city/suburb centres where there may be venues, cafes, restaurants or other amenities in the area." the spokeswoman said. "While some noise can be expected, unreasonable and sustained noise which impacts on quality of life is not okay."

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