A correlation analysis is reported relating the noise annoyance of 142 respondents near the south east freeway in Brisbane to noise levels measured at 17 locations. No relationship was found between individuals' annoyance scores and noise levels. However, respondent opinion of the neighbourhood and noise annoyance susceptibility were together found to explain 16 per cent of the variance in individual scores. Median annoyance scores for groups of respondents also were not significantly related to noise levels. It is suggested that these non significant correlations have resulted from the small range and lower magnitude of noise levels relative to those pertaining in similar studies overseas. While the present data do not assist determination of maximum noise levels for use in roadway and land use planning, one can be confident that an l10 (18h) of 60 db (a) would generally be regarded as 'acceptable'. Acceptable levels in terms of leq (1h) and l10 (1h) are also given. However, there is need to be cautious in applying these results to locations where noise level variability has not been similarly reduced through distance attenuation.