But for those living in and trying to operate businesses in the heart of the city, it is an issue that is having a detrimental impact.

For Sturt Street residents Fiona Watson and Brian Anstey, the jarring sound of cars racing up the iconic street throughout the night is one they have been pleading with authorities to address for more than 10 years.

While they don't want to come across as "whingers and moaners", they feel that with the council pushing for more people to move into the central business district and COVID restrictions meaning there will be more outdoor dining, it is an issue which must be addressed.

"It's fortunate that there's not a graveyard in the church yard because they make enough noise to wake the dead," Mr Anstey said, referring to St Patrick's Cathedral.

He frequently watches drivers waiting for multiple sets of traffic lights to turn green, before slamming on the accelerator and speeding up the street - sometimes at double the speed limit.

While Sturt Street is a 40km/h zone, Ms Watson said this needed to be better policed - not only for the impact it has on them, but also for businesses and the safety of pedestrians and other road users.

Acknowledging that police often have other more pressing issues to deal with, the pair believe "it wouldn't be that hard" to install traffic calming measures or even a speed camera at the CBD end to act as a deterrent to lead foot-drivers.

While they love living in the CBD, in walking distance of cafes and restaurants, they have watched many of their neighbours move away to quieter areas in recent years.

They have personally invested a lot of money in an attempt to sound proof their home - "the cost is ongoing to try and get a good night's sleep" - but want authorities to step up.

"It ain't the place to live at the moment. It's terrible," Mr Anstey said, detailing other concerns such as people mess left on door steps, breaking windows and graffitiing other people's property. "It's not a healthy place."

They want authorities to work together to address the issues, and believe that if these dangerous drivers continue to get away with their behaviour, it could lead to bigger problems.

These sentiments are echoed by businesses operating in the area.

According to Kathryn Hotchin, Sturt Street hoons have been an issue for the 20 years she has been running Europa Cafe.

"It has always been an issue, but with the push for more outdoor dining it creates a safety concern as well as the noise from loud cars being unpleasant when dining outdoors."

Explaining there had been plenty of discussion over the years, she said reducing her block down to one lane and extending the pedestrian area on the building side, similar to in Armstrong Street, would mean parking spaces were not lost but drivers would be slowed down.

She also listed speed humps or a permanent speed camera to deter drivers from speeding as other potential solutions.

Another business owner, who did not want themselves or their business identified, said the issue was often worst on Friday and Saturday nights.

Calling it a "distraction" for diners, especially those sitting outside, they agreed that there needed to be more deterrents such as a bigger police presence in the CBD at weekends or possibly a speed camera.

"There needs to be more of a deterrent because it's only a matter of time before they hit a pedestrian or someone loses control and kills themselves."

Wendouree MP, Juliana Addison, said the anti-social driving behaviour that was so often exhibited on Sturt Street, putting public safety at risk, was "unacceptable".

"Living in central Ballarat, I am well aware of the noise that these cars can make. So I have followed up with the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and we are going to continue to look at the best ways to stamp out this behaviour."

She vowed to continue to work on the issue to determine solutions that would make "Sturt Street a safer and quieter street for the whole community".

"We want the Ballarat CBD to be a welcoming space for everyone, and particularly with daylight savings coming up and us encouraging more people to be out and about eating outdoors with our COVID safe plans, it is so important that Sturt Street is a place that isn't occupied by vehicles that are being anti-social, in terms of their driving and creating very loud noises," Ms Addison said.

"This is important for the businesses, for the community and for our inner city residents."

With upgrades under way to six Sturt Street intersections, testing will be occurring on the new traffic lights at Raglan and Ascot streets in coming weeks.

Following testing, they could be switched on by the end of the year.

"These lights will soon be turned on and will create a disruption to cars flying up Sturt Street because there will be traffic lights at two more of our intersections," Ms Addison said.

The section of Sturt Street between Doveton Street and Grenville Street North is the responsibility of the City of Ballarat.

In response to questions as to whether council would look to install traffic calming measures, a spokesperson said: "residents' concerns regarding the effect of irresponsible, anti-social driver behaviour are shared by Council."

Noting the implementation of the 40km/h speed limit in 2017 "to stop hoon behaviour" the spokesperson said that ultimately police enforcement was still the primary response to the issue.

The section of Sturt Street from Ballarat-Burrumbeet Road to Doveton Street is managed by Regional Roads Victoria.

Regional Director (Western), Michael Bailey, said a number of factors including community use, traffic volumes and crash history were taken into account when assessing whether there was a need to deliver safety or infrastructure projects on a particular road.

Victoria Police was given strong powers to issue on-the-spot licence suspensions to drivers for excessive speeding earlier this year.

Hooning is dangerous driving behaviour that police have condemned multiple times this year - from hoon driving to illegal hoon meets.

Highway Patrol Senior Sergeant Stuart Gale said he would be happy to speak with complainants about their concerns.

To report hoon driving, contact police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a report online at www.crimestoppers.com.au

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