Impacts of Dredging and Reclamation on Noise and Amenity

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1 Section 9.5 Impacts of Dredging and Reclamation on Noise and Amenity Section Management Goals for Noise and Amenity The management goals for noise and vibration are to: Minimise the noise associated with the construction and operation of the Port activities. Protect the amenity of nearby residents by ensuring that noise levels meet the statutory requirements and acceptable standards. Section Applicable standards and guidelines include: Standards and Guidelines Applicable to Noise and Amenity Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations (1997); Guidance Statement No. 33 Environmental Guidance for Planning and Development (Draft, EPA, 2006); Statement of Planning Policy Road and Rail Transport Noise (WAPC, 2005); Main Roads WA Noise Level Objectives; and AS2670:2001 Evaluation for human exposure to whole body. Table 9.12 Type of Premises Receiving Noise Noise Sensitive premises at locations within 15 m of a building directly associated with a noise sensitive use. Noise sensitive premises at locations further than 15m from a building. Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations Assigned Noise Levels. Time of Day 0700 to 1900 hrs Monday to Sunday 0900 to 1900 hrs Sun and Public Holidays 1900 to 2200 hrs All days 2200 hrs on any day to 0700 hrs Mon to Sat and 0900 hrs Sun and Public Holidays. Assigned Level (db) L A10 L A1 L Amax 45 + IF 55 + IF 65 + IF 40 + IF 50 + IF 65 + IF 40 + IF 50 + IF 55 + IF 35 + IF 45 + IF 55 + IF Commercial premises Industrial and utility premises IF represents the Influencing Factor. Section Potential Impacts of Noise on Amenity The potential noise impacts of dredging and construction of the berth 7 at the Albany Port, 3 km to the south-east of the city centre, were assessed (Vipac Engineers and Scientists Ltd, Technical Appendix 16.5). Sources of construction noise, their anticipated locations of operation and the nearest Commercial noise sensitive premises are outlined in Figure 9.26, with the nearest residential noise sensitive premises to construction activities at the Port shown in Figure

2 Noise from the land reclamation will be associated with the seawall construction, piling for the berth and from construction equipment including trucks and dozers. However, the duration of these events are very limited. No blasting will be required for the dredge works, with minimal noise anticipated from the dredge vessels which will operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week over an anticipated 4 to 6 month period. Construction (piling) for the land reclamation area may result in noise emissions and impacts on residents and business in the surrounds. Figure 9.26 Construction Noise at the Port. Noise Assessment The noise investigation was conducted with the following assumptions: Worst case meteorological conditions (CONCAWE category 6: 50% RH, 3 m/s, 20 C). No shielding was allowed for, between different items, or due to the topographical effects. A usage factor was factored into the modelling as it is unlikely that all equipment will be operating simultaneously. An average of three dredges was assumed for dredge noise. Noise associated with the construction of the Albany Port Expansion was divided into three stages: Stage 1: Lay Down Area pile driving, construction crane, haul truck, excavator, dozer and dredger (Albany Port Expansion Proposal). Stage 2: Pile driving, dredging and haul truck operation (Albany Port Expansion Proposal). Stage 3: Construction (no piling or dredging), bob cat and power tools (Southdown Magnetite Proposal). 202

3 Piling noise was considered separately to other noise sources as it will dominate all other noise sources and is likely to fall under the EPA definition of an impulsive noise, and is likely to be further limited in duration than the other components. Noise Assessment Results This PER deals with the construction noise associated with the Albany Port Expansion Proposal, which includes noise from dredging, Lay Down Area pile driving and operation of a construction crane, haul truck, excavator and dozer (Stages 1 and 2). Noise associated with construction of the Port side infrastructure (Stage 3) is addressed in the Southdown Magnetite Proposal PER (EPA Assessment No 1596). Noise assessment results for construction noise received at the nearest residential (R1) and commercial (R2) noise sensitive sites are presented in Table 9.13, with the location of R1 and R2 presented in Figure It is anticipated that without additional management controls, the EPA noise regulation criteria will be exceeded during all stages of construction at the nearest commercial premises, and during pile driving only at the nearest residential premises. Pile driving activity is anticipated to be the main cause of noise exceedance with respect to the EPA noise regulation criteria. The impulsive nature of this activity will increase exceedances above those presented in Table 9.13 below. The second most dominant noise source is the dozer. If piling and dozer noise is ignored, almost all exceedances are eliminated. Table 9.13 Summary of Predicted Noise Exceedances from Port Construction at Residential and Commercial Premises. Activity R1 (Residential) R2 (Commercial) SPL Exceedance (SPL) SPL Exceedance (SPL) Pile Driving only Stage 1: Lay Down Area pile driving, construction crane, haul truck, excavator, dozer and dredger Stage 2: Construction (no piling or dredging), bob cat and power tools

4 R1 R2 Figure 9.27 Location of Nearest Noise Sensitive Sites. R1 is nearest residential site with influencing circle R2 is nearest industrial site Section Management of Noise and Amenity Aspects of the land reclamation construction that generate excessive noise, such as pile driving, will be undertaken during daylight hours where possible. To minimise noise associated with pile driving, the APA will assess other types of pile driving methods that have lower sound power. To minimise noise associated with the dozer, APA will investigate use of a similar vehicle with lower noise emissions. Construction of Port Facilities Construction activities will be carried out in compliance with the noise practices set out in Section 6 of Australian Standard Guide to Noise Control on Construction, Maintenance and Demolition Sites. Measures include: Construction work will be carried out between 7 am and 7 pm on any day (which is not a Sunday or public holiday) where possible; Equipment used for construction will be the quietest reasonably available; and Noise associated with the construction of Port facilities will be managed through a Noise Management Plan developed prior to construction to reduce noise emissions through design and operational controls. Should it be necessary to undertake construction work outside of these hours the Albany Port Authority will implement additional controls that will include the following: Show that it is reasonably necessary for the work to be conducted out of hours; Advise all nearby occupants or sensitive receptors who are likely to receive noise levels which fail to comply with the standard under Regulation 7, of the work to be done at least 24 hours before it commences; 204

5 Equipment used for construction will be the quietest reasonably available; and Submit a specific Noise Management Plan to the regional DEC for approval at least seven days before the commencement of works. The plan will include details of: The need for work to be done out of hours; Types of activities that could be noisy; Predictions of noise levels; Control measures for noise and vibration; Procedures to be adopted for monitoring noise emissions; Complaint response procedures to be adopted; and A Noise Management Strategy will be prepared for all aspects of dredging and land reclamation prior to construction to reduce noise emissions through design and operational controls. Employee noise exposure levels will be monitored against relevant legislation and managed with appropriate personal protection. Section Predicted Outcome from Noise and Amenity Without additional controls, construction noise associated with pile driving will exceed the EPA noise regulation criteria at the nearest commercial noise sensitive premises. Works associated with land reclamation will be scheduled to occur during day-light hours where possible. Pile driving activity is anticipated to exceed day time limits by 3 db (A) at the nearest Residential site, and by up to 17.8 db (A) at the nearest Industrial site unless another type of pile driving method is utilised, or a barrier is constructed to shield noise emissions from noise sensitive premises. Noise emissions to the nearest sensitive premises will be minimised where possible through the use of low sound power equipment and noise barriers where practicable. 205

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