I AM pleased to explain to Tony Morley why the "down to earth good people of Waratah and surrounding suburbs can enjoy a concert in close proximity to their homes" while the good people of Newcastle East cannot tolerate a V8 car race, ("Rocking the suburbs", Letters, 12/1).
Firstly, the good people of Waratah did not have Elton John booming out 138 decibels within five metres of their front door for eight to ten hours a day for three days. That's a noise level previously considered dangerous by the NSW Chief Medical Officer, Dr Kerry Chant. Nor, I understand it, was it necessary for the "good people of Waratah" to wear both earmuffs and earplugs for eight hours per day in an attempt to avoid any damage to their hearing.
