CURRENT STATE

• The distance from national and major roads was identified as the major source of noise pollution in Greater Johannesburg, due to the large amount of vehicles entering and leaving the inner city and its surroundings, as well as the high level of vehicular activity during the daytime.

The worst affected areas are around the CBD, especially to the north, where a large amount of national and major roads are situated, with minimal open space between them. Distances from the roads as noise pollutants never exceed 1km, so that noise levels are consistently high in this area. The road network links Roodepoort, Randburg, Sandton, Alexandra, as well as the eastern and southern areas with the Johannesburg CBD. The further away one moves from the CBD and its surrounding suburbs to the outskirts of the metropolitan area, the larger the distances between roads become, and the less the noise pollution.

• Except for major noise from vehicles (cars, busses, taxis, and trains), most CBD activities are significant sources of noise. Nightclubs, factories, industries, as well as religious ceremonies all contribute to noise pollution in the city.
• The industrial zone to the south and surrounding the CBD is a major contributor to noise, together with other industries further to the south, such as Electron, Tulisa Park, Booysens and Aeroton near Southgate. Commercial areas and vehicles also contribute to noise here.
• To the north and northeast of Soweto the Devland industrial area, the Orlando Power station and vehicular activity are the main sources of noise pollution. The rest of the Soweto area is mainly affected by noise from vehicles, mostly busses and taxis, and noise levels are the highest in the mornings and afternoon / evening times. Noise also comes from the landfill site and sewage works southeast of Soweto.
• Vehicular noise from Lenasia, Ennerdale and Orange Farm to the south of the metropolitan area is much lower than in the CBD and the northern areas of Johannesburg, but along the main roads, and the bus and taxi routes, noise levels are still high. There are some light industries in the area, which may contribute to noise levels (SMLC: LDO, 1997).
• To the south of Roodepoort a large industrial area stretches right through to the south of Johannesburg, and the whole zone, together with the mining activities taking place here emits noise.
• In the west, except for vehicular noise from roads, the Roodepoort West Industrial area is a source of noise pollution. Together with the railway line, commercial zone and the Roodepoort CBD activities, this area is a major activity node and source of noise pollution (WMLC: LDO, 1997).
• In the northern parts of the metropolitan area the Lanseria Airport is a source of noise, although not many people live in the vicinity. The N14 national road also emits noise, but only a few informal settlements, like Diepsloot exist in the area. Further to the south the Randburg and Sandton CBD areas are sources of noise, combined with high vehicle activity in these areas. The industrial area to the west of Randburg also emits noise.
• Lastly the Wynberg / Kew industrial area to the west of Alexandra is a big source of noise. Together with the roads, bus and taxi routes from Alexandra to the surrounding areas, this activity node experiences a high level of noise pollution. A lot of industrial and commercial areas are also found south/southwest of Sandton and Alexandra towards Johannesburg, and noise pollution is quite high in this area.