One year on: Residents benefit from noise mitigation treatments
What's it like living in a house with noise mitigation treatments? Homeowners living along the Narrabri to North Star section of Inland Rail reveal their experiences.
April 13, 2026
Bellata, NSW.
In late 2024, work started on installing noise mitigation treatments at 40 homes along the operational section of the Narrabri to North Star alignment.
The work was a requirement of the conditions of approval issued when the project was given the go-ahead by the NSW Government in August 2020.
At-property noise treatments were designed to protect indoor amenity when the full Inland Rail alignment becomes active, and train movements fluctuate to reflect freight rail demand.
The treatments are helping reduce noise from a range of outdoor sources and are supporting a quieter, more comfortable indoor environment.
Residents Marlene, Tony, Amanda and Mark say they are already noticing the benefits:
“I get to sleep faster.”
Tony and Marlene Braziers’ place at Bellata faces the busy Newell Highway, as well as the Inland Rail line.
During the noise mitigation treatment work at their place just over 12 months ago, the couple’s main bedroom window, as well as windows in the kitchen, dining room and another bedroom were all upgraded from 3mm glazing to 10.38mm-thick glazing set in heavy-duty aluminium frames.
Marlene looking out at a train passing by out of her new kitchen window in Bellata.
The couple say new windows provide much greater insulation from external noise than their old windows did.
“I get to sleep faster,” Tony said, Marlene nodding in agreement beside him.
The contractor carrying out the work, PKN Constructions, helped Marlene choose the window frame colour that best matched their internal decor. The windows were then made-to-measure in PKN’s Coffs Harbour factory and transported to Bellata for installation. The installers helped clear the areas where the work was happening and put everything back when the work was done.
Marlene points out the new ceiling fan installed over her dining table and recounts how handy it was to have at Christmas time, when the room was full of family.
“The fans are great! My son was so impressed he’s going to get one for his place,” Marlene said.
The Braziers’ fan is one of 129 installed as part of the at-property noise treatment works. The fans help circulate air when windows and doors are kept closed to limit outside noise.
“Friendly staff, really respectful.”
That’s how Amanda remembers the team from PKN Constructions who carried out the work at her home, which adjoins the North Star Post Office.
Amanda’s scope included replacing windows in the front enclosed verandas, dining room and two bedrooms, installing fans in the treated rooms and replacing three doors that faced the Inland Rail line.
Amanda in front of the facade that faces Inland Rail and the windows that were upgraded.
“They all worked really hard from the moment they got to the house until they finished for the day. PKN should be really proud of its workers,” Amanda said.
Amanda was also delighted when the owner of PKN Constructions went above and beyond to assist her with replacing some of the existing window hardware.
“I mentioned to Poul (PKN Managing Director) that I intended to replace the standard window latches with brass ones, and he offered to organise the order and post them to me. They did a wonderful job and exceeded my expectations.”
Below: Before and after photos of Amanda’s front room windows. Amanda opted for a white paint colour on the indoor window frames to freshen things up.
“The glass is so thick.”
Back in Bellata, a few blocks north of the Braziers, Mark is still impressed with his new windows—more than a year after installation.
“They’re very well made… good solid things,” he said. (Learn more about Mark’s experience during the install in our article from 2024.)
Like the Braziers, Mark notices the noise reduction benefits most at night, when the daytime buzz has subsided and truck and train sounds are more noticeable over lower background noise. He said the thick glass and acoustic seals “really cut the sound out”.
Mark also reflected on last year’s harvest and the annual increase in road and rail traffic.
“You don’t hear them as much as you used to,” he added.
Mark praised the quality approach and care shown by the PKN workers, especially their attention to detail when painting around his new aluminium frames.
“They were very particular; they didn’t get paint anywhere. They really cared. They’re not just bang, bang. They make sure you’re happy with everything,” he said.
In his living space, Mark’s entry door has been upgraded and a new ceiling fan installed, which has also made a huge impression on him.
Previously, Mark used a pedestal fan, but he no longer needs it now that the bigger, quieter and more energy-efficient ceiling fan is in place.
“It mixes and circulates the air really well,” Mark said.
The fan also has a light on the underside and can be operated via a remote control, which Mark particularly appreciates when relaxing after a long day’s work rounding cattle or delivering mail up to 150km away.
The road to installation success
Before specialist builder PKN Constructions started installing noise treatments at 40 properties along the operational Narrabri to North Star route, Inland Rail worked closely with specialist acoustic treatment consultant RCA Australia to develop individual scopes of work.
The fully detailed plans addressed each property’s future noise impact exceedance (modelled in the project’s approved Operational Noise and Vibration Review report), and the proposed work was confirmed in consultation and agreement with property owners.
Once the scope was confirmed, Inland Rail engaged PKN to deliver the works.
PKN undertook a detailed site inspection and ‘check measure’ and confirmed specifications and access requirements with property owners before they started manufacturing the new windows and procuring fans, seals and other treatment materials.
The check measure also included undertaking electrical assessments at each property to ensure any new appliances could operate safely on existing electrical circuits. Any necessary electrical upgrades were also undertaken.
When works were finished, property inspections were undertaken with property owners, PKN and Inland Rail to ensure the works were completed satisfactorily and all warranties and instruction manuals were handed over.
A total of 236 windows and 44 doors were upgraded, 129 ceiling fans provided and 14 properties were fitted with air conditioning as part of the property treatment works.
One year after completing the work, PKN’s owner and managing director Poul Nielsen reflects on his experience.
“Juggling 40 properties certainly put us through our paces, but the residents we met and some excellent local suppliers we collaborated with made it all worth it,” Poul said.
“It was a pleasure to partner Inland Rail on this project, and I am proud that my team made such a positive impression.”
