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Rodney Stevens Acoustics Report Number R170103DR1 Revision 1
S 4.55 for Development Application for Expansion of Existing Tourist Facilities Bendooley Estate, 3020 Old Hume Highway, Berrima NSW 2577
S 4.55 for Development Application for Expansion of Existing Tourist Facilities Bendooley Estate, 3020 Old Hume Highway, Berrima NSW 2577 Acoustical Assessment
REPORT R170103DR1 Revision 1
Prepared for:
Mr. Paul Berkelouw Bendooley Estate Pty Ltd 3020 Old Hume Highway BERRIMA NSW 2577 27 April 2021
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Rodney Stevens Acoustics Report Number R170103DR1 Revision 1
S 4.55 for Development Application for Expansion of Existing Tourist Facilities Bendooley Estate, 3020 Old Hume Highway, Berrima NSW 2577
S 4.55 for Development Application for Expansion of Existing Tourist Facilities
Bendooley Estate, 3020 Old Hume Highway, Berrima NSW 2577
Acoustical Assessment
PREPARED BY:
Rodney Stevens Acoustics Pty Ltd
Telephone: 61 2 9943 5057 Facsimile 61 2 9475 1019
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.rodneystevensacoustics.com.au
DISCLAIMER
Reports produced by Rodney Stevens Acoustics Pty Ltd are prepared for a particular Client’s objective and are based on a specific scope, conditions and limitations, as agreed between Rodney Stevens Acoustics and the Client. Information and/or report(s) prepared by Rodney Stevens Acoustics may not be suitable for uses other than the original intended objective. No parties other than the Client should use any information and/or report(s) without first conferring with Rodney Stevens Acoustics.
The information and/or report(s) prepared by Rodney Stevens Acoustics should not be reproduced, presented or reviewed except in full. Before passing on to a third party any information and/or report(s) prepared by Rodney Stevens Acoustics, the Client is to fully inform the third party of the objective and scope and any limitations and conditions, including any other relevant information which applies to the material prepared by Rodney Stevens Acoustics. It is the responsibility of any third party to confirm whether information and/or report(s) prepared for others by Rodney Stevens Acoustics are suitable for their specific objectives.
DOCUMENT CONTROL
Reference Status Date Prepared Checked Authorised
R170103DR1 Revision 0 25 July 2019 Thomas Carney Desmond Raymond Rodney Stevens
R170103DR1 Revision 1 27 April 2021 Thomas Carney Desmond Raymond Rodney Stevens
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Rodney Stevens Acoustics Report Number R170103DR1 Revision 1
S 4.55 for Development Application for Expansion of Existing Tourist Facilities Bendooley Estate, 3020 Old Hume Highway, Berrima NSW 2577
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 INTRODUCTION 4
2 PROJECT DESCRIPTION 4
2.1 Proposed Development 4
2.2 Site Location 5
3 EXISTING NOISE ENVIRONMENT 5
3.1 Ambient Noise Monitoring 5
3.2 Noise Monitoring Results 5
4 ACOUSTIC ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 6
4.1 Patron and Entertainment Noise Criteria 6
4.2 Operational Noise Criteria 7
5 NOISE IMPACT ASSESSMENT 8
5.1 Operational Noise Emissions – Mechanical Plant 8
5.2 Accommodation – The Lodge 8
5.3 Restaurant, Chapel and Meeting Rooms – Patron and PA 8
5.3.1 Public Address (PA) Noise 9
5.3.2 Predicted Patron and PA Noise Impacts 10
6 RECOMMENDATIONS 11
6.1 Mechanical Plant 11
6.2 Operational Noise Management 11
6.2.1 Restaurant 11
6.2.2 The Shed 11
7 CONCLUSION 12
APPENDIX A – ACOUSTICAL TERMINOLOGY 13
APPENDIX B – CALIBRATION CERTIFICATES 17
APPENDIX C – UNATTENDED MEASUREMENT RESULTS – OLD HUME HIGHWAY END 19
APPENDIX D – UNATTENDED MEASUREMENT RESULTS – STAFF ACCOMMODATION 23
APPENDIX E – ARCHITECTURAL PLANS 27
Figure 2-1 Site Location 5
Table 3-1 Measured Ambient Noise Levels 6
Table 3-2 Attended Noise Measurements 6
Table 4-1 L&G NSW Criteria for Patron and Entertainment Noise 7
Table 4-2 Operational Project Trigger Noise Levels 8
Table 5-1 Typical Sound Power Level of 1 Person with Raised Voice - Lw 9
Table 5-2 Overall Patron Sound Power Level – LW 9
Table 5-3 Typical Sound Power Level of PA system – dB 9
Table 5-4 Patron and Entertainment Noise Emissions at Nearby Residential Receivers 10
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Rodney Stevens Acoustics Report Number R170103DR1 Revision 1
S 4.55 for Development Application for Expansion of Existing Tourist Facilities Bendooley Estate, 3020 Old Hume Highway, Berrima NSW 2577
1 INTRODUCTION
Rodney Stevens Acoustics Pty Ltd (henceforth referred to as RSA) has been commissioned by Ian Williams and
Associates, on behalf of Bendooley Estate Pty Ltd, to assess the potential noise impact associated with the
development application for the expansion of the existing tourist facilities at Bendooley Estate, 3020 Old Hume
Highway, Berrima NSW.
An s 4.55 application has been prepared for the development site to address changes to the approved design of
the development site. The proposed amendments to the approved development include:
• The Lodge (accommodation) – changes to the size, layout and composition with the modification of 41 rooms
to 44 rooms, relocation of housekeeping facilities, amendments to the ingress and egress of the site and an
increase in the proposed car parking by 7 spaces.
• Restaurant – proposed increase in capacity from 80 to 108 patrons, increase in kitchen/food store, amendments
to ingress and egress and a proposed casual lounge/bar area.
• Roadworks, Parking, Stormwater Management and Landscaping – changes to parking orientation and other
changes to the site to improve amenity of the site.
Acoustically, with the exception of the proposed change to the capacity of the restaurant, none of the changes to
the site are considered acoustically significant.
This report presents the results of a survey of ambient noise levels at the site, prediction of the potential noise
levels received at nearby sensitive residences due to the proposed development and an assessment of the impact
of these emissions in relation to recognised criteria for environmental noise. Recommendations are made for
control measures to effectively ameliorate excessive noise emissions and enable the premises to operate without
adverse impact upon the existing acoustical environment of the area.
This report forms part of the submission of a s 4.55 application to Wingecarribee Shire Council and has been
carried out in accordance with the requirements of the Liquor and Gaming NSW (L&G NSW) and other regulatory
criteria.
Specific acoustic terminology is used in this report. An explanation of common acoustic terms is provided in
Appendix A.
2 PROJECT DESCRIPTION
2.1 Proposed Development
The approved development includes hotel accommodation (The Lodge), a restaurant with function centre
capabilities, chapel (The Shed) and facilities for back of house and maintenance of the development. The s 4.55
application modifies the design some of the approved buildings.
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2.2 Site Location
The development site is located at 3020 Old Hume Highway, Berrima NSW. The surrounding properties are
predominantly rural.
The project area and nearest neighbouring sensitive receivers are shown in Figure 2-1.
Figure 2-1 Site Location
Aerial image of courtesy of © 2018 nearmap ltd
Architectural plans for the s 4.55 application are shown in Appendix E.
3 EXISTING NOISE ENVIRONMENT
3.1 Ambient Noise Monitoring
In order to establish the existing noise environment of the area, a survey of ambient noise levels was conducted
between 13 February 2018 and 20 February 2018 at the locations shown in Figure 2-1.
The location was selected after a detailed inspection of the project area giving consideration to other noise sources
that may influence the readings, the proximity of noise-sensitive receivers, security issues for the noise monitoring
device and gaining permission for access from the residents or landowners. The results of the ambient noise
monitoring are shown in Table 3-1 and Table 3-2.
Instrumentation for the survey comprised two ARL Rion NL-42 Environmental Noise Loggers (serial numbers
710677 and 572558) fitted with a microphone and windshield. Calibration of the logger was checked prior to and
following measurements. Drift in calibration did not exceed ±0.5 dBA. All equipment carried appropriate and
current NATA (or manufacturer) calibration certificates.
3.2 Noise Monitoring Results
In order to assess the acoustical implications of the proposed development on the levels of noise received at the
neighbouring rural-residential premises, the measured data was processed according to the NSW Environment
Protection Authority (EPA) Noise Policy for Industry (NPfI) assessment time periods. Table 3-1 details the RBL
(background) and LAeq noise levels recorded during daytime, evening and night time.
Proposed development sites
Sensitive receiver: 3092 Old Hume Hwy Sensitive receiver: 550
Oxleys Rd
Sensitive receiver: 164 Greenhills Rd
Sensitive receiver: 224 Greenhills Rd
Unattended logger locations
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Table 3-1 Measured Ambient Noise Levels
Location Noise Level – dBA re 20 µPa
Daytime (7am – 6pm) Evening Time (6pm –
10pm) Night Time (10pm – 7am)
RBL 1 LAeq 2 RBL1 LAeq2 RBL1 LAeq2
Old Hume Hwy end
37 48 39 46 34 42
Greenhills Rd end
52 59 47 60 41 55
Note 1: The RBL noise level is representative of the average minimum background sound level (in the absence of the source under
consideration), or simply the background level.
Note 2: The LAeq is essentially the average sound level. It is defined as the steady sound level that contains the same amount of
acoustical energy as a given time-varying sound.
The octave band results collected by the unattended noise logger are shown in Table 3-2. This data will be
utilised for Liquor and Gaming NSW criteria.
Table 3-2 Attended Noise Measurements
Time Ambient Noise Levels per Octave Bands - dB Overall - dBA
32 Hz
63 Hz
125 Hz
250 Hz
500 Hz
1k Hz
2k Hz
4k Hz
8k Hz
7am to Midnight 36 25 21 23 26 30 26 23 22 38
Midnight to 7am
7 23 29 20 23 25 26 28 25 34
4 ACOUSTIC ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
4.1 Patron and Entertainment Noise Criteria
Licensed premises fall under the control of the Liquor and Gaming NSW (L&G NSW). L&G NSW’s Standard
Conditions for noise from licensed premises apply to the assessment of patron and entertainment noise emissions
and are summarised below:
“The L10 noise emitted from the licensed premises shall not exceed the background noise level in any octave band
frequency (31.5 Hz to 8 kHz inclusive) by more than 5 dBA between 7.00 am and midnight at the boundary at any
affected residence.
The L10 noise level emitted from the licensed premises shall not exceed the background noise in any octave band
centre frequency (31.5 Hz to 8 kHz inclusive) between midnight and 7.00 am at the boundary of any affected
residence.
Notwithstanding compliance of the above, noise from the licensed premises shall not be audible in any habitable
room in any residential premises between the hours of midnight and 7.00 am.”
Based on the measured ambient noise level data for the development presented in Table 3-2 the L&G NSW criteria
applicable to nearby residential receivers, based on the measured spectral characteristics are summarised in Table
4-1.
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Table 4-1 L&G NSW Criteria for Patron and Entertainment Noise
Period Ambient Noise Level per Octave Band (L10 dB) Overall
(L10 dBA) 32 Hz2 63 Hz 125Hz 250Hz 500Hz 1kHz 2kHz 4kHz 8kHz
7.00 am to Midnight1
- 30 26 28 31 35 31 28 27 43
Midnight to 7:00 am
- 23 29 20 23 25 26 28 25 34
Note 1: This criterion is based on the RBL for the periods 7 am to Midnight calculated from the processed results of ambient noise logging.
Note 2: The 32 Hz octave band has not been assessed due to the unreliability of data in this low (bass) frequency band. It is also likely that even if noise emission in this low frequency octave band exceeds the noise criterion; it will be very close to, if not below, the human threshold of hearing at the nearest residential receiver.
4.2 Operational Noise Criteria
Responsibility for the control of noise emissions in New South Wales is vested in Local Government and the EPA.
The EPA oversees the Noise Policy for Industry (NPfI) October 2017 which provides a framework and process for
deriving noise criteria. The NPfI criteria for industrial noise sources have two (2) components:
• Controlling the intrusive noise impacts for residents and other sensitive receivers in the short term; and
• Maintaining noise level amenity for particular land uses for residents and sensitive receivers in other land uses.
Intrusiveness Criterion
For assessing intrusiveness, the background noise generally needs to be measured. The intrusiveness criterion
essentially means that the equivalent continuous noise level (LAeq) of the source should not be more than 5 dB(A)
above the measured Rated Background Level (RBL), over any 15 minute period.
Amenity Criterion
The amenity criterion is based on land use and associated activities (and their sensitivity to noise emission). The
cumulative effect of noise from industrial sources needs to be considered in assessing the impact. The criteria
relate only to other industrial-type noise sources and do not include road, rail or community noise. The existing
noise level from industry is measured.
If it approaches the criterion value, then noise levels from new noise sources, (including air-conditioning mechanical
plant) need to be designed so that the cumulative effect does not produce total noise levels that would significantly
exceed the criterion.
Area Classification
The NPfI characterises the “Rural” noise environment as an area with an acoustical environment that:
• is dominated by natural sounds, having little or no road traffic noise and generally characterised by low
background noise levels.
• Settlement patterns would be typically sparse
The area surrounding the proposed development falls under the “Rural” area classification.
Project Specific Noise Levels
Having defined the area type, the processed results of the unattended noise monitoring have been used to
determine project specific noise criteria. The intrusive and amenity criteria for nearby residential premises are
presented in Table 4-2.
These criteria are nominated for the purpose of assessing potential noise impacts from the proposed development.
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In this case, the ambient noise environment is not controlled by industrial noise sources and therefore the project
amenity noise level are assigned as per Table 2.2 of the NPfI (Recommended Amenity Noise Levels). For each
assessment period, the lower (i.e. the more stringent) of the amenity or intrusive criteria are adopted.
These are shown in bold text in Table 4-2.
Table 4-2 Operational Project Trigger Noise Levels
Receiver Time of Day
ANL 1 LAeq(15min)
Measured
Criteria for New Sources
RBL 2 LA90(15min)
LAeq Noise Level)
Intrusive LAeq(15min)
Amenity LAeq(15min)
Residential Day 50 37 48 42 50
Evening 45 39 46 44 45
Night 40 34 42 39 40
Note 1: ANL = “Amenity Noise Level” for residences in Urban Areas. Note 2: RBL = “Rating Background Level”.
In summary, the project specific noise level for the assessment of (continuous LAeq(15minute)) operational noise
emissions between 7:00am and 6:00pm, based upon the procedures documented within the NSW NPfL, is 42 dBA
and evening period of 6:00pm and 10:00pm is 44 dBA. For any plant operating at night-time, between 10:00pm
and 7:00am, the project specific noise limit is 39 dBA.
5 NOISE IMPACT ASSESSMENT
5.1 Operational Noise Emissions – Mechanical Plant
Precise mechanical plant selection for the proposed development is currently unknown. Selected item must meet
the Noise Policy for Industry criteria of 39 dB(A) for any equipment that may operate during the night time period
(10:00pm to 7:00am). Any plant which operates only during daytime areas needs to comply with 42 dB(A) criteria.
The proposed equipment selected should be reviewed at Construction Certificate stage by an appropriately
qualified Acoustic Consultant.
5.2 Accommodation – The Lodge
The acoustic impact of the proposed new accommodation (The Lodge) is not considered to be acoustically
significant. The number of patrons proposed and activities that take place in these environments – and the time
which these take place – will not have a detrimental effect on the existing environment. The expected noise impact
of these spaces would be considered to be in the area of (maximum) 60 dB(A) (accumulatively). Considering the
distance from these proposed sites to the nearest sensitive receivers (the closest being 200 metres, the furthest
being more than 500 metres away). Sensible design of these spaces will enable them to operate without having a
detrimental impact on the surrounding sensitive receivers.
5.3 Restaurant, Chapel and Meeting Rooms – Patron and PA
Calculations of noise transmitted from the proposed developments have been made based on a typical patron
sound power spectrum as based on the sound power levels derived from Table 16.1 in “Handbook of Acoustical
Measurements and Noise Control” by C.M. Harris. Harris documents a typical casual male voice being 53 dBA at
1 m, a typical normal voice is 58 dBA at 1 m, a typical raised voice is 65 dBA at 1 m, a typical loud voice is 75 dBA
at 1 m and shouting is 88 dBA at 1 m. Applying a standard conversion of + 8 dBA to convert sound pressure level
at 1 m to a sound power level, the sound power level of a typical raised voice equates to 78 dBA.
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Table 5-1 outlines the sound power spectrum of a patron talking with a raised vocal effort.
Table 5-1 Typical Sound Power Level of 1 Person with Raised Voice - Lw
Scenario Resultant Noise Level per Octave Band (dB) Overall (dBA)
63Hz 125Hz 250Hz 500Hz 1kHz 2kHz 4kHz 8kHz
1 Patron – Raised Voice 58 59 69 76 74 68 64 55 67
This spectrum and overall noise level is believed to be a reasonable approximation of the typical “worst case” that
could be expected from patrons using the premises.
The following operational scenario has been assumed for the purposes of this assessment:
• A maximum of 108 people in the restaurant, 40 people in the meeting rooms, 120 people at “The Shed” (chapel)
at one time with half of all people talking at once (worst case scenario).
Table 5-2 Overall Patron Sound Power Level – LW
Scenario Resultant Noise Level per Octave Band (dB) Overall (dBA)
63Hz 125Hz 250Hz 500Hz 1kHz 2kHz 4kHz 8kHz
268 patrons 70 87 91 95 90 86 82 76 96
The 32 Hz octave band has not been assessed due to the limited availability of transmission loss (TL) data in this
low (bass) frequency band. It is also very likely that even if noise emission in this low frequency octave band
exceeds the noise criterion; it will be very close to, if not below, the human threshold of hearing at the receivers.
5.3.1 Public Address (PA) Noise
The proposed development could have PA speakers for music and speeches involved within the proposed
restaurant, meeting spaces and chapel. Background music might be played in other venues, but this is not
considered acoustically significant.
Based on typical amplified music in a similar venue, the sound power level spectrum of a public address (PA)
system for background music/live music is shown in Table 5-3.
Table 5-3 Typical Sound Power Level of PA system – dB
The 32 Hz octave band has not been assessed due to the limited availability of transmission loss (TL) data in this
low (bass) frequency band. It is also very likely that even if noise emission in this low frequency octave band
exceeds the noise criterion; it will be very close to, if not below, the human threshold of hearing at the receivers.
Scenario Resultant Noise Level per Octave Band (dB) Overall
(dBA)
63Hz 125Hz 250Hz 500Hz 1kHz 2kHz 4kHz 8kHz
PA System 88 87 88 88 86 79 81 77 88
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Rodney Stevens Acoustics Report Number R170103DR1 Revision 1
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5.3.2 Predicted Patron and PA Noise Impacts
Noise level predictions for noise emissions from the site have been predicted by utilising NSW EPA recognised
and approved computer noise model SoundPlan 8 software. SoundPlan is a fully integrating software suite that
specialises in computer simulations of noise situations incorporating over 50 calculation standards. The model
calculates overall noise levels at receiver locations considering distance, atmospheric absorption, barriers effects
of intervening ground types, source levels, source and receiver locations and topography.
The predicted noise level emissions due to typical operation of the venue with the windows (and doors as applicable) open are presented in Table 5-4.
Table 5-4 Patron and Entertainment Noise Emissions at Nearby Residential Receivers
Receiver
Resultant Sound Pressure Level per Octave Band (dB)
Overall (dBA)
63Hz 125Hz 250Hz 500Hz 1kHz 2kHz 4kHz 8kHz
3092 Old Hume Highway (200m from the development site)
Patron Noise and PA System Noise Emission
Predicted noise level
9 12 13 25 28 22 14 0 28
Criterion 7:00am to Midnight
30 26 28 31 35 31 28 27 43
Exceedance - - - - - - - - -
550 Oxleys Road (400m from the development site)
Patron Noise and PA System Noise Emission
Predicted noise level
0 14 14 24 28 23 16 0 24
Criterion 7:00am to Midnight
30 26 28 31 35 31 28 27 43
Exceedance - - - - - - - - -
224 Greenhills Rd (650m from the development site)
Patron Noise and PA System Noise Emission
Predicted noise level
0 12 13 20 22 17 4 0 22
Criterion 7:00am to Midnight
30 26 28 31 35 31 28 27 43
Exceedance - - - - - - - - -
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164 Greenhills Rd (550m from the development site)
Patron Noise and PA System Noise Emission
Predicted noise level
0 13 14 22 25 21 14 0 23
Criterion 7:00am to Midnight
30 26 28 31 35 31 28 27 43
Exceedance - - - - - - - - -
The operational noise levels shown in Table 5-4 comply with the L&G NSW criteria at all the nearest potentially affected residential receivers.
6 RECOMMENDATIONS
6.1 Mechanical Plant
Precise mechanical plant selection for the proposed development. Selected item must meet the Noise Policy for
Industry criteria of 39 dB(A) for any equipment that may operate during the night time period (10:00pm to 7:00am).
Any plant which operates only during daytime areas needs to comply with 42 dB(A) criteria.
The proposed equipment selected should be reviewed at Construction Certificate stage by an appropriately
qualified Acoustic Consultant.
6.2 Operational Noise Management
The following measures are recommended to be included in order to maintain a healthy relationship with
surrounding sensitive receivers.
6.2.1 Restaurant
• When the venue is at 70% capacity or greater, external doors and windows should be closed at 9:00pm.
• External doors and windows to be closed at 10:00pm.
• Outdoor speaker systems (if proposed) should be small scale and used only for background music, not large
events. Speakers to face away from neighbouring residential receivers.
• Any outdoor speaker systems to have a limiter installed with a maximum sound pressure level of 70 dB(A) @
one metre from the speaker.
6.2.2 The Shed
• Building to be designed and built to ensure any noise from venue does not exceed criteria at the boundary.
• Any outdoor speaker systems to have a limiter installed with a maximum sound pressure level of 80 dB(A) @
one metre from the speaker.
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7 CONCLUSION
An s 4.55 application is being made for the approved development at Bendooley Estate. The proposed changes to
the design will not have an adverse acoustic impact on the surrounding community providing the recommendations
set out in this report are adhered to.
The assessment has included acoustical measurements to characterise the ambient noise environment of the area,
establishment of noise criteria, and a comparison of predicted noise levels with regard to guidelines recommended
by Liquor and Gaming NSW (L&G NSW) and other regulatory criteria.
Noise emissions from the proposed development to the surrounding nearest sensitive receivers have been
calculated with the noise criteria as established in accordance with the L&G NSW guidelines and other regulatory
criteria. The development will comply with criteria if recommendations in this report are followed.
Approved:-
Rodney Stevens – MAAS
Principal/Manager
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Appendix A – Acoustical Terminology
A-weighted sound
pressure
The human ear is not equally sensitive to sound at different frequencies.
People are more sensitive to sound in the range of 1 to 4 kHz (1000 – 4000
vibrations per second) and less sensitive to lower and higher frequency
sound. During noise measurement an electronic ‘A-weighting’ frequency
filter is applied to the measured sound level dB(A) to account for these
sensitivities. Other frequency weightings (B, C and D) are less commonly
used. Sound measured without a filter is denoted as linear weighted
dB(linear).
Ambient noise The total noise in a given situation, inclusive of all noise source
contributions in the near and far field.
Community
annoyance
Includes noise annoyance due to:
• character of the noise (e.g. sound pressure level, tonality,
impulsiveness, low-frequency content)
• character of the environment (e.g. very quiet suburban, suburban,
urban, near industry)
• miscellaneous circumstances (e.g. noise avoidance possibilities,
cognitive noise, unpleasant associations)
• human activity being interrupted (e.g. sleep, communicating, reading,
working, listening to radio/TV, recreation).
Compliance The process of checking that source noise levels meet with the noise limits
in a statutory context.
Cumulative noise
level
The total level of noise from all sources.
Extraneous noise Noise resulting from activities that are not typical to the area. Atypical
activities may include construction, and traffic generated by holiday periods
and by special events such as concerts or sporting events. Normal daily
traffic is not considered to be extraneous.
Feasible and
reasonable
measures
Feasibility relates to engineering considerations and what is practical to
build; reasonableness relates to the application of judgement in arriving at
a decision, taking into account the following factors:
• Noise mitigation benefits (amount of noise reduction provided, number
of people protected).
• Cost of mitigation (cost of mitigation versus benefit provided).
• Community views (aesthetic impacts and community wishes).
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• Noise levels for affected land uses (existing and future levels, and
changes in noise levels).
Impulsiveness Impulsive noise is noise with a high peak of short duration or a sequence of
these peaks. Impulsive noise is also considered annoying.
Low frequency Noise containing major components in the low-frequency range (20 to
250 Hz) of the frequency spectrum.
Noise criteria The general set of non-mandatory noise levels for protecting against
intrusive noise (for example, background noise plus 5 dB) and loss of
amenity (e.g. noise levels for various land use).
Noise level (goal) A noise level that should be adopted for planning purposes as the highest
acceptable noise level for the specific area, land use and time of day.
Noise limits Enforceable noise levels that appear in conditions on consents and
licences. The noise limits are based on achievable noise levels, which the
proponent has predicted can be met during the environmental assessment.
Exceedance of the noise limits can result in the requirement for either the
development of noise management plans or legal action.
Performance-based
goals
Goals specified in terms of the outcomes/performance to be achieved, but
not in terms of the means of achieving them.
Rating Background
Level (RBL)
The rating background level is the overall single figure background level
representing each day, evening and night time period. The rating
background level is the 10th percentile min LA90 noise level measured over
all day, evening and night time monitoring periods.
Receptor The noise-sensitive land use at which noise from a development can be
heard.
Sleep disturbance Awakenings and disturbance of sleep stages.
Sound and decibels
(dB)
Sound (or noise) is caused by minute changes in atmospheric pressure that
are detected by the human ear. The ratio between the quietest noise
audible and that which should cause permanent hearing damage is a million
times the change in sound pressure. To simplify this range the sound
pressures are logarithmically converted to decibels from a reference level
of 2 x 10-5 Pa.
The picture below indicates typical noise levels from common noise sources.
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dB is the abbreviation for decibel – a unit of sound measurement. It is equivalent
to 10 times the logarithm (to base 10) of the ratio of a given sound pressure to
a reference pressure.
Sound power level
(SWL)
The sound power level of a noise source is the sound energy emitted by
the source. Notated as SWL, sound power levels are typically presented in
dB(A).
Sound pressure
level (SPL)
The level of noise, usually expressed as SPL in dB(A), as measured by a
standard sound level meter with a pressure microphone. The sound
pressure level in dB(A) gives a close indication of the subjective loudness
of the noise.
Statistical noise
levels
Noise levels varying over time (e.g. community noise, traffic noise,
construction noise) are described in terms of the statistical exceedance
level.
A hypothetical example of A weighted noise levels over a 15 minute
measurement period is indicated in the following figure:
40
50
60
70
80
00:00 05:00 10:00 15:00
Monitoring Period (minutes)
so
un
d p
ressu
re le
ve
l d
B(A
)
LA90
LA
LAMAX
LA1LAeq
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Key descriptors:
LAmax Maximum recorded noise level.
LA1 The noise level exceeded for 1% of the 15 minute interval.
LA10 Noise level present for 10% of the 15 minute interval. Commonly
referred to the average maximum noise level.
LAeq Equivalent continuous (energy average) A-weighted sound pressure
level. It is defined as the steady sound level that contains the same amount of
acoustic energy as the corresponding time-varying sound.
LA90 Noise level exceeded for 90% of time (background level). The average
minimum background sound level (in the absence of the source under
consideration).
Threshold The lowest sound pressure level that produces a detectable response (in
an instrument/person).
Tonality Tonal noise contains one or more prominent tones (and characterised by a
distinct frequency components) and is considered more annoying. A 2 to
5 dBA penalty is typically applied to noise sources with tonal characteristics.
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Appendix B – Calibration Certificates
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Appendix C – Unattended Measurement Results – Old Hume Highway end
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Appendix D – Unattended Measurement Results – Staff Accommodation
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Appendix E – Architectural Plans
Proposed Lodge and Restaurant Site Plan
Proposed Lodge Ground Floor Plan
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Proposed Lodge First Floor Plan
Proposed Lodge Roof Plan
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Proposed Lodge Elevations
Proposed Lodge Sections AA and BB
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Proposed Lodge Sections CC
Proposed Lodge Sections DD and EE
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Proposed Restaurant Ground Floor Plan
Proposed Restaurant Lower Ground Floor Plan
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Proposed Restaurant Roof Plan
Proposed Restaurant Elevations A to C