da 2017/2595 - dairy - 488 thunderbolts way ......the project consists of a proposed dairy operation...

PLANNING & NATURAL SYSTEMS

ATTACHMENT B

DA 2017/2595 - DAIRY - 488 THUNDERBOLTS WAY BARRINGTON

STRATEGIC MEETING

10 OCTOBER 2018

18020805_BarringtonDairy_Noise_180426.docx

26 April 2018

Adam Forbes

Barrington Dairy

VIA EMAIL: [email protected]

RE: Noise Impact Assessment – Proposed Barrington Dairy

Dear Adam,

Todoroski Air Sciences have assessed the potential for noise impacts associated with the proposed dairy

operations north of Barrington, New South Wales (NSW) (hereafter referred to as the Project).

This noise impact assessment has been prepared in general accordance with the NSW Environment Protection

Authority (EPA) document Noise Policy for Industry (NSW EPA, 2017).

Project Setting

The Project site is located at 488 Thunderbolts Way, Barrington New South Wales (NSW), approximately 5.5

kilometres (km) northwest of Gloucester and approximately 51km west-southwest of Taree. The site is

situated in a rural setting comprising various agricultural activities and rural residences.

The nearest identified noise sensitive receiver is located approximately 240 metres (m) to the south-southwest

of the Project.

Project Description

The Project consists of a proposed dairy operation which includes:

A dairy area including a holding yard flushed twice per day immediately after each milking;

An effluent system comprised of a trafficable solids trap, stockpile pad, sedimentation (first)

pond and effluent (second) pond;

A feed pad with two cow alleys which are flushed at least once daily and possibly twice (after

each use following each milking); and,

Realignment of the access road and removal of cattle grid.

An indicative site layout is presented in Figure 1.

mailto:[email protected]

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Figure 1: Indicative site layout for the Project

Background noise levels

The background noise levels applied for the Project are the minimum assumed Rating Background Level (RBL)

outlined in the Noise Policy for Industry (NSW EPA, 2017). These background levels lead to the most stringent

criteria that can be applied. Table 1 outlines the operational noise criteria for the Project.

Table 1: Project noise criteria

Period Criterion (dBA)

Day (7:00am to 6:00pm) 35 + 5 = 40

Evening (6:00pm to 10:00pm) 30 + 5 = 35

Night (10:00pm to 7:00am) 30 + 5 =35

dBA = A-weighting decibel

Assessment of potential noise impacts

Operational noise

The operational noise assessment for the Project has considered a potential worst-case scenario, based on

the potential noise emissions associated with the dairy equipment operating simultaneously at the site.

The noise levels of each significant noise source included in the assessment are presented in Table 2.

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Table 2: Equipment sound power levels

Equipment Sound pressure level (dBA @ 2m)

Vacuum pump (milking machine) 58

Compressor (milk vat) 50

Milking machine pulsators (hydraulic) 54

Effluent sump pump 64

Feed mixer 71

Bobcat 64

Source: NSW DPI, 2008

The equipment would be separated from the nearest residence by the dairy shed building constructed from

Colorbond material. A 12dBA loss due to the transmission of noise through the building surface is applied in

the calculations.

The sound power level for all Project sources operating simultaneously is 87dBA. The nearest potential

receiver to the Project is located approximately 240 metres to the south of the dairy (refer to Figure 1). The

predicted noise level at this location is estimated based on hemispherical diffusion, ignoring ground effects,

terrain and molecular absorption using the following equation:

𝑆𝑃𝐿 = 𝑃𝑊𝐿 − 20 log10 𝐷 + 8

Using the above equation, the predicted noise level at the nearest potential receiver due to the Project sources

is calculated to be 19dBA and would comply with the noise criteria in Table 1. It is noted that even without

the building loss, this would be within criteria.

Access road

The current access road to the site passes by the nearest receptor. It is proposed to realign the road to

approximately double the seperation distance between the site access road and the receptor. The road

connects the dairy operations to the Thunderbolts Way and is aligned in an approximate north-south

direction.

Figure 2 presents an indicative layout of the proposed access road realignment.

The doubling of the seperation distance and removal of the cattle grid would significantly reduce noise from

the access road. Due to the local topography the road will need to be cut into the terrain which would act as

a road-side barrier to further reduce noise from this source. A vegetation buffer would also be established

between the access road and senstive reciever.

The existing operation at the site results in daily agricultural traffic movements along the access road, including

tractors, trucks, motorbikes, quadbikes & cars that access the existing operations. The proposed dairy

operation will increase some of the traffic along this access road, mainly a few private cars for dairy workers

coming to work and leaving each day, a daily milk collection truck, commodity delivery trucks and the

occasional service or maintenance vehicle. Most other agricultural activities that presently occur, such as

cropping, irrigation, fertilising, silage etc. will remain essentially the same, and the level of activity will continue

to vary seasonally as occurs at present.

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Figure 2: Indicative layout of the proposed access road realignment

The estimated minimum distance from the access road to the sensitive reciever would increase from

approximately 26 metres (m) to approximately 52m. Due to the increase in distance, noise levels from this

source would reduce by 6 decibles (dB). When considering the additional topographic shielding by the cutting

and terrain, noise levels would decrease by approximately a further 5 dB, resulting in a noise level at least 10

dB below the current noise levels from vehicles and plant using the road. Acoustically, noise that is 10 dB or

more lower than an existing source of noise is ignored as it is insignificant.

In terms of human perception, a 10 dB or greater reduction in noise is equivalent to noise levels being less

then half as loud.

In terms of noise sources, a 10 dB reduction in noise is equivalent to 1/10th of the sound energy. This can be

thought of as; the difference is significant enough that ten vehicles on the new road would make as much

noise as one vehicle on the existing road. Whilst of course is not possible for there to be ten actual vehicles

operating in the one spot on the road, the main point is to illustrate that the proposed re-alignment of the

road would reduce any existing access road noise levels at the receptor significantly.

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Whilst there may be some additional light vehicles and a dairy truck due to the proposal, the total noise level

from every vehicle will be reduced (including any potentially sudden noise from the cattle grid, which will be

removed).

Presently there can be a maximum of 20 to 50 truck movements at a time during the periods of manure

delivery and silage operations (etc.). In this context, the additional daily vehicles arising from this proposals

maximum movements would not be noticed.

In the context of the existing average number of daily vehicles, the few additional vehicles would not double

the average vehicle movements and are thus unlikely to be noticed in the context of the significantly lower

overall noise from the access road due to the proposed realignment.

Summary and conclusions

This assessment has examined the potential for noise impacts to arise from the Project.

Overall, the assessment finds that noise emissions from the Project would not be a significant issue and the

operation of the Project would comply with the relevant criteria. The road realignment and removal of the

cattle grid on the access road is likely to reduce the existing levels of noise, and represents less impact than

presently occurs.

Please feel free to contact us if you need to discuss (or require clarification on) any aspect of this report.

Yours faithfully,

Todoroski Air Sciences

Aleks Todoroski

Philip Henschke

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References

NSW DPI (2008)

“Environmental Management Guidelines for the Dairy Industry”, NSW Department of Primary

Industries, September 2008.

NSW EPA (2017)

“Noise Policy for Industry”, NSW Environment Protection Authority, October 2017.

Map 1 - Dairying operation overview (including paddock boundaries & dairy sites) (Source Google Earth & Agworld)

Map 2 - 488 Thunderbolts Way (Source - Six Maps)

Map 3 - Buffer for effluent areas (Source - Ag Systems Design)

Map 4 - Buffer distances to Neighbours, Waterways & Roads (Source - Google Earth)

KeyA Distance to Barrington River - 450 metres F Distance from Neighbour to private road alteration -

minimum 52mB Distance to neighbour - 260 metres G Distance to Thunderbolts Way - 730 metresC Distance to neighbour - 280 metres H Distance to neighbour - 500 metresD Distance to neighbour - 370 metres I Proposed Road alterationE Distance to neighbour - 240 metres

Noise Assessment Response - Kywong Flat Dairy

The initial noise assessment was completed by Aleks Todoroski, of Todoroski Air

Sciences and he has been further involved in compiling this response.

Aleks has >27 years of experience in Noise and Air Quality. He worked in senior

roles at NSW EPA for 10 years, where he oversaw assessments of many hundreds of

state significant projects. Aleks was also manager of Operations Policy at NSW EPA,

where he was responsible for the legislative and policy framework and and direction

of all EPA operational and regulatory aspects, covering approximately 3,600 staff.

Aleks was the manager of the Noise Assessment Branch at EPA, and is one of the key

technical authors of the NSW Industrial noise policy(INP), but also the construction

noise and traffic noise policies, and key parts of the POEO (Protection of

Environmental Operations Act 1997) and other legislation used by EPA and Local

Government. The INP has been recently updated to be called the noise policy for

industry (NPI).

Aleks is now director of Todoroski Air Sciences, He is one of the principals presently

engaged by the Victorian government per a competitive process, to review and

recommend a new scientifically based framework for noise and odour assessment of

primary industries in Victoria. This project includes developing policy and guidelines

for assessment noise from dairies and other agricultural activities, The project is due

for release after the 2018 Victorian state elections.

Point 1

All equipment and noise sources associated with the proposal have

not been considered, including (but not limited to) vehicle movements,

motorbikes, cattle, gate operations, washout pumps etc.

Could the location and likely noise level of the wash-out pump be

provided along with details of the nature of the motorbike activities,

ie area of use/ frequency

It is correct that not everything has been considered, but everything that could cause

an impact or alter any conclusion has been considered.

For example, grazing dairy cattle are already on the site, at the same density as the

proposed development and the NSW Industrial Noise Policy does not apply to free

ranging cattle grazing in a paddock.

Other sources, such as a motorbike or washout pump would not alter the conclusions,

and the loudest sources that could cause effect have been modelled. Details of traffic

can be seen in Point 4.

As highlighted in the effluent management plan (page 6) a flood wash system is

proposed to be used for washout and therefore a heavy duty washout pump for yard

washing does not exist. Flood washing systems involve filling a tank with water and

then releasing this water through a series of large diameter pipes and dispersing the

water via gravity.

Recycled water will be used for yard washing - This will consist of post plate cooler

water that has been used to wash the dairy plant, as well as water from the secondary

effluent pond.

A pressure pump will be used to pump water through the plate cooler system, as well

as pressurise the dairy plant wash system. This pressure pump will be placed within

the sound insulated engine room of the colourbond dairy shed building.

A separate pressure pump/effluent sump pump will be located within a small pump

shed near the larger, secondary effluent pond at the northern end of the development.

This pump will be used to pump recycled effluent water into the flood wash tanks.

Therefore this yard wash out system does not require large pumps for the process of

washing out.

Personal communication with Onga pressure pump representatives, a pressure pump

for the dairy wash system will have an estimated dB(A) of 61-75 at operation level,

depending on pump size, thus with the sound insulation from the engine room and

colourbond, and the distance to residences, and margin of compliance this does not

alter conclusions.

Using the NSW DPI publication 'Environmental Management Guidelines for the

Dairy Industry 2008' an Effluent sump pump, similar to that proposed to be used to

transfer water from the secondary effluent pond, has a sound power level of 64 dBA

@ 2m. This has previously been included in the calculations in the Noise Impact

Assessment.

In regard to motorbike usage, currently motorbikes are used in the development

location for a variety of farm activities including mustering twice daily for milking,

irrigation operation, checking stock and shifting temporary fences, and this is

proposed to continue much similarly with the new development.

Mustering location is dependent on which paddock the cows are located in, dependent

on the rotational grazing system discussed in the Statement of Environmental Effects,

as well as to be detailed in the Dairy Operational Plan. Cows are moved to a new

offering of pasture each day, and this is governed by growth rate and pasture quality.

However it is notable that the most productive improved pastured land is by far the

alluvial river flats under the 3 centre pivot irrigation systems - 80 hectares in total. It

is further notable that 50 hectares, or over two thirds of this land is located to the

North of the proposed dairy location, under the larger centre pivot irrigator. This 50

hectares the most distant land within the lot from the residential subdivision of

Collaroy Avenue.

The remaining 30 hectares of land under centre pivot irrigation, is located to the west

of the dairy site. One residence, which was the original house on this lot under its

previous dairying owners, before subdivided in the early 2000s (detailed in Statement

of Environmental Effects - Previous Uses) is bordered by this highly productive land.

The balance of this highly productive pastured land is approximately a minimum of

140 metres from residences.

To summarise, the majority of the highly productive land that is being currently

grazed on and mustered from is located away from residences, rather than close by

them, and this will continue to be the case under the proposed development.

Dairy cattle by nature are slow moving animals, and quite accustomed to the routine

of being brought to the milking shed - many will come to the milking shed without

actually being mustered. With a well fenced, rotational grazing system, and cows

which move slowly to the shed primarily on their own accord, the need to operate a

motorbike at high rpm is very seldom. It is detrimental to dairy cow health that they a

mustered with excess speed or force, and this forms part of our staff training and

animal welfare policy.

Honda CTX200 4 stroke agricultural motorcycles which are currently in use on the

property have a noise emission of 82.0 dB (A) at 3750 rpm.

It should be noted that on-road motorcycles have a legal noise limit of 94dB, and

further to this it should be noted the proximity of both the Thunderbolts Way and

Collaroy Avenue to the neighbouring rural residences.

Thunderbolts Way, a major arterial road, is located 800 meters from the dwelling due

south of the development site, on which vehicles are travelling at up to 100km per

hour, an estimated minimum of 1300 times per day, including over 150 truck

movements per day. This estimate was produced using traffic data provided by

council, from data sets collected at Poleys Place (Thunderbolts Way, Walcha Road),

and Shire Boundary on the Scone Road.

It should also be noted that louder, 2 stroke off road motorcycles are often used for

recreational riding on adjoining rural and rural residential properties.

Rotary dairies by design are quiet in operation, due to their lack of noise emitting,

dropping gates, as per some traditional herringbone dairies. The vacuum pump would

use variable speed drive technology which significantly reduces power consumption

and noise emissions compared to vacuum pumps used traditionally.

Vehicle movements are discussed later in further detail, but in the Noise Impact

Assessment, it was noted that the grid in close proximity to the southern residence

will be removed as a noise source, which is extremely significant given the sharp

maximums emitted by vehicles crossing such grids. This, together with the

realignment of this internal access road, will reduce noise from traffic and the

gate/grid relative to the current levels.

It should be noted, as also eluded in point 3, that even if there were twice as many

sources (noting that the loudest fixed sources ones are included), there would be

compliance.

Point 2

Sound power levels of noise sources should be verified. The levels

provided in 'Table 2:Equipment sound power levels' appear to be

significantly lower than similar items in other Noise Impact

Assessments reviewed by Council.

The sound power levels are sourced from the research and measurements conducted

by the Department of Primary Industries, for noise sources at dairies. See the

reference below the table in the Noise Impact Assessment and in the reference list.

These levels are lower than typical induction sources.

NSW DPI (2008)

“Environmental Management Guidelines for the Dairy Industry”, NSW Department

of Primary Industries, September 2008.

As the dairy is merely at the concept stage, and several second hand facilities are

being considered for this development, we believe this data to be the most suitable

and comprehensive data for this application.

As eluded to and minuted in the meeting with Petula Bowden, Bruce Moore and

Georgina Martin 16/7/18, we acknowledge that the 'Environmental Management

Guidelines for the Dairy Industry' form the basis for policies assisting in the ongoing

operation of the dairy.

Point 3

The Noise Impact Assessment provides that a 12dBA loss has been

applied due to the transmission of noise through the colorbond

building surface. Not all noise sources on site will be shielded by the

proposed building and the 12dBA loss cannot be equally applied to

all sources. Furthermore, details in relation to the dairy buildings

have not been provided and there is no information to indicate that

the sides will be closed and noise emissions will be intercepted. Also,

the position of the identified noise sources has not been provided.

The plans provided with this submission show the colourbond shed and the location

of the dairy engine room. As shown within this plan, equipment such as compressors

and pumps will be located within this sound insulated room. The main opening of the

shed is to the North, thus away from residences.

Milking machine pulsators will be located on the dairy platform within the larger

colourbond shed.

The feed mixer will be located within the existing shedding, whilst the effluent pump

will be located in a small pump shed at the secondary effluent pond (towards the

northern end of the development).

A 12dB loss through both colourbond and a sound insulated room is considered

conservative. The loss is only applied to the sources in the insulated engine room and

the shed building.

Even if this loss is not applied, there would be compliance given the margin of

compliance discussed in the Noise Impact Assessment. In fact, even if there were

twice as many sources, and no loss for the colour bond walls, there would still be

compliance with the Noise Policy for Industry.

Point 4

Further details in relation to timings of dairy operations and a

breakdown of vehicle movements are to be provided. Vehicle and

machinery noise must be factored into on-site operations at the dairy,

and further analysis of the access road is to also be provided. Peak

vehicle movements on the access road are to be assessed to determine

compliance with project noise criteria and sleep disturbance.

Vehicle movements are not detailed in terms of number/ time of day

and type of vehicle.

Peak vehicle movements have been modelled as part of the initial noise assessment.

Attached as an appendix is a table showing approximate current and proposed average

vehicle movements.

The Statement of Environmental Effects (Hours of Operation, Traffic Movements,

Heavy Vehicle Pickups & Deliveries, Farm & Employee Vehicle movements)

identifies the timeframe of proposed milking - 4am in the morning, and often as late

as 8pm in the evening, as well as further detail of on-site operations.

Feed deliveries and stock transport will only occur within daylight hours. Milk pick

ups will normally occur following milking in the morning or in the early evening.

Milk at the current dairy on the Northern side of the Barrington River has been

collected at around 8am each day, and this has been the case for an extended period of

time.

Other agricultural activities will continue as per current operations in line with

farming practices including the mustering of stock, irrigation, feeding and

conservation of hay and silage, sowing, spraying, fertilising and cultivation of land.

And as previously detailed in the Statement of Environmental Effects this sometimes

involves working through the night, and these practices currently occur on the

property.

It should be noted as part of the current agricultural use of the property, it is not

unusual to have 25 heavy vehicle return movements (Truck & Tractor) to the site a

week travelling the existing route without complaint. As eluded to in Point 1,

Thunderbolts Way is 800 meters from this southern dwelling with vehicles travelling

at up to 100km per hour an estimated minimum of 1300 times per day, including 150

truck movements.

Point 5

Noise levels are to be assessed at the reasonably most-affected point

on or within the residential property boundary or, if that is more

than 30 metres from the residence, at the reasonably most-affected

point within 30 metres of the residence. This does not appear to have

been included.

That is correct. Noise levels have been assessed in line with regulations as per most

affected point.

Point 6

Sleep disturbance has not been assessed. Please provide details in the

Noise Assessment of the timeframe across which the dairy operation

will occur.

The details of vehicle movements shown in the table attached in the appendix

detailing the times of day which vehicles are expected to enter and exit the site.

The Statement of Environmental Effects identifies the timeframe of proposed milking

(dairy operation) - 4am in the morning, and often as late as 8pm in the evening.

Other agricultural activities will continue as per current operations in line with

farming practices. As detailed this sometimes involves working through the night to

conserve hay and silage, sow paddocks, spray and cultivate land.

There is no risk of impact in regard to sleep disturbance from dairy operations.

The proposed changes to the access road will create less noise impact than occurs now

- The road will be moved more than twice as far away, thus reducing the perceived

noise levels by a factor of 10 times lower, and the gate/ grid will be removed, thus

removing sharp increase in noise that would currently be created by the cattle grid.

Further assessment of sleep disturbance is not required due to the distance the road is

being moved, topography of the roadway being cut into the side of the ridge,

vegetation buffer and cattle grid removal, more than adequately compensate for the

increase in traffic numbers.

Point 7

Modifying factors have not been discussed or assessed.

There are no tonal, low frequency issues etc. or other such factors for the sources.

There are no applicable modifying factors.

Point 8

Meteorological conditions have not been discussed or assessed. Please

provide details of the meteorological conditions in the area and their

impact on noise level.

There is no reason to further consider meteorological conditions when the margin of

compliance.. There are no meteorological conditions that can cause any exceedance

from the dairy building in this circumstance. Also it is noted that there is no loss for

ground effect, atmospheric absorption etc, that would provide an even larger margin

compliance.

According to Todoroski, meteorological conditions do not cause significant effect

over the distance from the internal access road to the southern residence. Wind and

cooling temperature gradients both cause sound waves to refract/bend downward over

long distances, rather than the shorter distances to residences in this assessment, thus

no further investigation is warranted.

da 2017/2595 - dairy - 488 thunderbolts way ......the project consists of a proposed dairy operation...

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