APPENDIX 8. Noise Impact Assessment

Transcription

1 APPENDIX 8 Noise Impact Assessment

2 Orica Australia Pty Limited Noise Impact Assessment for Proposed Ammonium Nitrate Emulsion Production Facility and Continued Operation of Orica Mining Services Technology Centre, Richmond Vale, NSW November 2009

3 Noise Impact Assessment for Proposed Ammonium Nitrate Emulsion Production Facility and Continued Operation of Orica Mining Services Technology Centre, Richmond Vale, NSW Prepared by Umwelt (Australia) Pty Limited on behalf of Orica Australia Pty Limited Project Director: Project Manager: Michelle Kirkman Emma Lodge Report No. 2586/R05/Final Date: November /20 The Boulevarde PO Box 838 Toronto NSW 2283 Ph: Fax: Website:

4 Orica Noise Impact Assessment Table of Contents TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 Introduction Project Description Project Area and Surrounds Plant and Equipment Proposed Hours of Operation Receiver Locations Traffic and Access Existing Noise Criteria Noise Impact Assessment Procedure Noise Environment and Project Noise Criteria Existing Noise Environment Environmental Noise Loggers Attended Noise Monitoring Operational Noise Criteria Construction Noise Criteria Sleep Disturbance Noise Goals Road Traffic Noise Criteria Noise Modelling Methodology Noise Modelling Meteorological Parameters Default Meteorological Conditions Site Specific Meteorological Conditions Modelling Conditions Operational Noise Sources Construction Noise Sources Road Traffic Noise Noise Predictions Predicted ANE Production Facility Operational Noise Levels Predicted Construction Noise Levels Sleep Disturbance Umwelt (Australia) Pty Limited 2586/R05/Final November 2009 i

5 Orica Noise Impact Assessment Table of Contents 6.4 Road Traffic Noise Assessment Cumulative Noise Impact Assessment Summary of Findings and Noise Management Noise Management Measures Mitigation of Road Traffic Noise References FIGURES 1.1 Orica Mining Services Technology Centre, Richmond Vale, NSW Existing Operations and Proposed ANE Production Facility Proposed ANE Production Facility and Residential Receivers APPENDICES A B C D E Glossary and Definitions - Acoustics Noise Impact Assessment Procedures Noise Monitoring Results Specifications of Plant and Equipment Road Traffic Noise Umwelt (Australia) Pty Limited 2586/R05/Final November 2009 ii

6 Orica Noise Impact Assessment Introduction 1.0 Introduction Orica Australia Pty Limited (Orica) is seeking development consent for the continuation of existing operations and the construction and operation of a proposed Ammonium Nitrate Emulsion (ANE) Production Facility at their Mining Services Technology Centre site (Technology Centre), located at Richmond Vale, New South Wales (NSW) (refer Figure 1.1). The Technology Centre currently operates under three development consents granted by Cessnock City Council in 1991, 1998 and The existing operations include offices, research and manufacturing facilities, stores, water storage, sewage treatment and car parking. There are approximately 200 people employed at the Technology Centre. The proposed ANE Production Facility will involve the construction of new infrastructure within the existing Technology Centre. The new facilities will allow for the production of up to 250,000 tonnes per annum of ANE which will be transported via road to other Orica operations and customers located in South Eastern Australia. Orica is seeking to obtain a new project approval that will incorporate the existing operations at the Technology Centre which will remain unchanged and the proposed ANE Production Facility (the Project). This consolidation of the existing operations and the proposed ANE Production Facility under a single development consent will enable more effective whole of site environmental management. The Project is a Part 3A Project as defined by the State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) Major Projects 2005, and requires the approval of the NSW Minister for Planning under Part 3A of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act). An Environmental Assessment (EA) will be lodged with the Department of Planning (DoP) for assessment. This Noise Impact Assessment (NIA) has been prepared by Umwelt (Australia) Pty Limited (Umwelt) as a part of the EA that will support the Part 3A project application for the Project. Umwelt (Australia) Pty Limited 2586/R05/Final November

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8 Orica Noise Impact Assessment Project Description 2.0 Project Description 2.1 Project Area and Surrounds Orica s Technology Centre is located on the southern side of George Booth Drive which is a main arterial road in Richmond Vale, approximately 22 kilometres west of Newcastle, NSW (refer to Figure 1.1) in the Cessnock local government area (LGA). The Technology Centre is located on Lot 2, DP The property is approximately 292 hectares and is owned by Orica. The closest townships to the Technology Centre are Kurri Kurri, approximately 5 kilometres to the north-west and Seahampton, approximately 4 kilometres to the south-east of the Technology Centre. The surrounding area encompasses a variety of land use activities including agriculture, bush land, rural residential area, rural industrial activities and transport corridors. Tasman Underground Mine is located on George Booth Drive approximately 2.5 kilometres to the south-east of the Technology Centre. 2.2 Plant and Equipment The key infrastructure at the proposed ANE Production Facility is shown in Figure 2.1 and will include: chemical, fuel and product storage tanks; ANE manufacturing plant; truck weighing, loading and unloading facilities; utilities including hot water, cooling water and compressed air systems, electricity distribution cables and a transformer; stormwater/spill management structures; a plant site office, control room, switch room, and quality control laboratory; and an access road from the site entrance to the proposed ANE Production Facility. 2.3 Proposed Hours of Operation The proposed ANE Production Facility will operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is proposed to transport raw materials to site and ANE product off site 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 2.4 Receiver Locations There are approximately 21 private residences located within a 3 kilometres radius of the Technology Centre boundary, with the nearest residential property approximately 1.8 kilometres from the proposed ANE Production Facility (refer to Figure 2.2). The majority of the private residences are located along George Booth Drive, with the remainder on Sheppeard Drive (refer to Table 2.1). Umwelt (Australia) Pty Limited 2586/R05/Final November

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11 Orica Noise Impact Assessment Project Description Table 2.1 Residential Receivers Receiver Location Receivers North-west of Technology Centre along George Booth Drive Receivers - South-west of Technology Centre on Sheppeard Drive Receiver IDs R1 to R16 R17 to R Traffic and Access Access to the Technology Centre is gained via a dedicated intersection between George Booth Drive and the internal site access road, Echidna Drive. The access road for the proposed ANE Production Facility will be connected to Echidna Drive via a roundabout (refer to Figure 2.1). All materials currently utilised by the existing operations are transported to the Technology Centre by road. It is proposed to transport all raw materials for the proposed ANE Production Facility and all ANE from the proposed ANE Production Facility by road. Raw materials will be delivered to the proposed ANE Production Facility from Kooragang Island and other locations, including Sydney. Trucks transporting raw materials from Sydney will travel via the F3 Freeway, John Renshaw Drive and George Booth Drive. Trucks transporting materials from Kooragang Island will access the Technology Centre using the Pacific Highway and New England Highway for approximately 20 kilometres then continue along John Renshaw Drive and 4 kilometres down George Booth Drive (refer to Figure 2.2). Trucks exporting product will travel to the Hunter Valley from George Booth Drive via John Renshaw Drive and Cessnock Road (through Kurri Kurri) to the New England Highway at Maitland. Traffic associated with the project will utilise the F3 extension to Branxton in the future, once it is constructed, via the proposed Buchanan interchange. 2.6 Existing Noise Criteria The existing Environment Protection Licence (EPL 4121) and development consents for the Technology Centre do not contain conditions relating specifically to noise. Umwelt (Australia) Pty Limited 2586/R05/Final November

12 Orica Noise Impact Assessment Noise Impact Assessment Procedures 3.0 Noise Impact Assessment Procedure This Noise Impact Assessment (NIA) has been prepared by Umwelt to assess the potential noise impacts of the Project in accordance with the NSW Industrial Noise Policy (INP) (Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC), 2000). A glossary of noise terminology is included in Appendix A. A detailed summary of the INP (DECC 2000) requirements and the noise impact assessment methodology used for this NIA is provided in Appendix B. To satisfy the requirements of the INP (DECC 2000), this NIA: identifies noise sensitive locations that could be affected by activities at the site and assesses the existing noise environment at noise sensitive locations in accordance with the INP (DECC 2000) guidelines for the determining background and amenity noise level; identifies all noise sources from the operational and construction phase of the development and determines the expected noise levels and noise characteristics (e.g. tonality, impulsiveness, vibration, etc) likely to be generated from the noise sources; identifies the times of operation for the development and for all noise-producing activities; considers the influence of meteorological conditions such as wind and temperature inversions on the propagation of noise from the Project to the receiver locations; predicts the noise levels likely to be received at the most sensitive locations under worst case meteorological conditions; compares the predicted noise levels with the appropriate noise criteria for the phase of development or activity being considered; predicts and then assesses the impact of the road traffic noise likely to be generated by the Project; and discusses the findings from the predictive modelling and, where relevant noise criteria have not been met, discusses additional mitigation measures. The noise level prediction modelling takes into account all the noise sources that may reasonably be expected when the Project is fully operational. The modelling was undertaken using the commercially available software packages Environmental Noise Model (ENM) for the industrial noise sources, construction noise and sleep arousal, and CoRTN (Calculation of Road Traffic Noise) for the road traffic noise. Umwelt (Australia) Pty Limited 2586/R05/Final November

13 Orica Noise Impact Assessment Noise Environment and Project Noise Criteria 4.0 Noise Environment and Project Noise Criteria 4.1 Existing Noise Environment The existing noise environment in the area surrounding the Project was assessed in accordance with Section 3 of the INP (DECC 2000) using a combination of Acoustic Research Laboratories (ARL) environmental noise loggers and attended noise monitoring. The results of the noise monitoring program were used to determine the Project-specific Noise Levels for the Project Environmental Noise Loggers ARL environmental loggers were used at the locations illustrated in Figure 2.2, to measure the ambient noise levels in the region surrounding the Orica Technology Centre. Details of the monitoring program are presented in Table 4.1. Table Details of Noise Monitoring using Environmental Loggers Monitoring Location Logger Serial No. Measurement Started Measurement Stopped L1 - George Booth Drive :15 30/07/09 09:45 18/08/09 L2 - Sheppeard Drive :00 30/07/09 10:00 18/08/09 The results of the monitoring program, reported as the Rating Background Level (RBL) and the Mean LAeq, period (where period = day, evening and night) are presented in Appendix C and summarised in Table 4.2. Table 4.2 Monitoring Results, RBL and Mean LAeq, period db(a) Monitoring Location Time Period RBL Mean LAeq, period L1 - George Booth Drive (Representative of R1 to R16) L2 - Sheppeard Drive ( Representative of R17 to R21) Day Evening Night Day Evening Night Note 1: Monday to Saturday Day is 7.00 am to 6.00 pm, Evening 6.00 pm to pm and Night pm to 7.00 am; on Sundays and Public Holidays Day is 8.00 am to 6.00 pm, Evening 6.00 pm to pm and Night pm to 8.00 am Attended Noise Monitoring The objective of the attended noise monitoring program was to determine the sources of noise contributing to the ambient noise environment and determine the contribution from industrial noise sources to the existing ambient noise levels. Attended noise monitoring was undertaken on two occasions in the region surrounding the Technology Centre during the day, evening and night time on the 21 January 2009 and 17 August The monitoring locations are shown on Figure 2.2 and represent the nearest potentially noise affected receiver areas to the north-west and south-west of the Technology Centre. The results of the operator-attended noise monitoring program are presented in Appendix C. Umwelt (Australia) Pty Limited 2586/R05/Final November

14 Orica Noise Impact Assessment Noise Environment and Project Noise Criteria The monitoring results were used to assess the background (LA90) and ambient (LAeq) noise levels within the residential receiver areas adjacent to the Project and determine the contribution from industrial noise sources to the existing ambient noise levels. The results of the attended noise monitoring program are presented graphically in Appendix C and summarised in Table 4.3. The results in Appendix C include a low pass filter to remove insect noise in frequencies greater than 1 khz. Table 4.3 Attended Noise Monitoring Results, db(a) Monitoring Location L1 - George Booth Drive (Representative of R1 to R16) L2 - Sheppeard Drive (Representative of R17 to R21) Note 1: Elevated background due to road traffic noise Note 2: Ambient noise levels affected by insects Note 3: Helicopter overhead Time Period Industrial LA90, 15min LAeq, 15min Contribution 20/01 17/08 20/01 17/08 20/01 17/08 Day < 30 < 30 Evening < 30 < 30 Night <30 < < 30 < 30 Day < 30 < 30 Evening 38 2 < < 30 < 30 Night 40 2 < < 30 < Operational Noise Criteria The acoustic environment in the region surrounding the Technology Centre is typical of a rural receiver type. The residential receiver areas south-west of the project area along Sheppeard Drive are dominated by natural sounds with little or no road traffic noise. To the north of the project area the residential receiver areas along George Booth Drive are, at times, heavily influenced by road traffic noise. Both residential receivers areas have been assessed using the rural receiver criterion in accordance with the INP (DECC 2000) guidelines. The operational project-specific noise criteria for the receiver areas surrounding the Technology Centre have been determined in Appendix C and are summarised in Table 4.4. Table Project-Specific Noise Criteria at Receivers Areas, db(a) Receiver Location Time Period Intrusiveness Criteria, LAeq,15 minute L1 - George Booth Drive (Representative of R1 to R16) L2 - Sheppeard Drive (Representative of R17 to R21) Amenity Criteria, LAeq, period Project-Specific Noise Criteria LAeq, 15 minute 1 Day Evening Night Day Evening Night Note 1: The Project-specific criterion is the most stringent of the intrusive and amenity criteria. Umwelt (Australia) Pty Limited 2586/R05/Final November

15 Orica Noise Impact Assessment Noise Environment and Project Noise Criteria 4.3 Construction Noise Criteria The DECC recognises that construction activities could generate higher noise levels than normal operational noises. The Interim Construction Noise Guideline DECC 2009 provides criteria for construction activities as presented in Table 4.5. Table DECC Construction Noise Criteria, db(a) Construction Time Recommended standard hours Monday to Friday 7 am to 6 pm Saturday 8 am to 1 pm No work on Sundays or public holidays Outside recommended standard hours Construction Noise Criterion LAeq, 15 minute RBL + 10 db RBL + 5 db Whilst construction activities for the Project will generally occur during the recommended standard hours of Monday to Saturday, there may be a need to undertake construction activities outside of these hours. The assessment of construction noise is therefore undertaken for standard day time hours and for periods outside standard hours including night times from 6:00pm to 7:00am week days and weekends from 1:00pm Saturday to 7:00am Monday. 4.4 Sleep Disturbance Noise Goals The DECC have provided an application note for the assessment of sleep disturbance (DECC July 2006),which suggests that to prevent sleep arousal, the LA1,1minute level of a noise source should not exceed the LA90 background noise level by more than 15 db. This is based on measurement outside the bedroom window of the receiver during the night-time hours (10.00 pm to 7.00 am) in accordance with the INP (DECC, 2000) and the guidance note reproduced in Appendix B. The relevant sleep disturbance noise goals for the residential receivers are provided in Table 4.6. Table 4.6 Sleep Disturbance Criteria at Residential Receivers, db(a) Receiver Location RBL LA90,15minute db(a) L1 - George Booth Drive (Representative of R1 to R16) L2 - Sheppeard Drive (Representative of R17 to R21) Note 1: Measured during the night-time period (10.00 pm to 7.00 am). 1 Night Time Construction Noise Criterion LA10, 15 minute Road Traffic Noise Criteria At maximum production levels the Project is expected to contribute an additional 100 heavy vehicle movements (50 vehicle trips) per day on weekdays and 76 heavy vehicle movements (38 vehicle trips) on weekends. These heavy vehicle movements will be a mixture of rigid and articulated vehicles. In addition to this, at maximum production light vehicle movements are expected to increase by approximately 20 per day (10 vehicle trips). Umwelt (Australia) Pty Limited 2586/R05/Final November

16 Orica Noise Impact Assessment Noise Environment and Project Noise Criteria During the construction phase of the Project it is expected that there will be 2 to 3 heavy vehicles accessing the site per day during a 6 day week and up to 50 small contractor vehicles. Road traffic noise criteria are set out in the Environmental Criteria for Road Traffic Noise (ECRTN) (EPA, 1999). These criteria are based on the functional categories applied by the RTA to the subject roads. George Booth Drive would currently be classified as sub-arterial roads in accordance with Section 2.2 of the ECRTN. A sub-arterial road is defined as a road that connects the arterial roads to areas of development and carry traffic from one part of a region to another. The construction of the F3 Link to Branxton highway link between the F3 Freeway near Seahampton and the New England Highway, west of Branxton (Hunter Expressway) will significantly reduce the regional traffic using George Booth Drive. As a result, George Booth Drive will revert to a collector road for local traffic. A collector road is defined as a road that connects the sub-arterial roads to the local road system in developed areas. Details of the predicted traffic volumes on George Booth Drive as a result of the proposed F3 Link to Branxton are presented in Appendix E. The relevant road traffic noise criteria as per the requirements of Table 1 of the ECRTN for George Booth Drive are provided in Table 4.7. Table Road Traffic Noise Criteria (EPA, 1999) Type of Development Criteria Day 1 Night 2 Where Criteria are Already Exceeded 7. Land use developments with potential to create additional traffic on existing freeways/arterials 3 60 db(a) LAeq, 15 hour 55 db(a) LAeq, 9 hour Where feasible, existing noise levels should be mitigated to meet the noise criteria. Examples of applicable strategies include appropriate location of private access roads; regulating times of use; using clustering; using quiet vehicles; and using barriers and acoustic treatments. In all cases, traffic arising from the development should not lead to an increase in existing noise levels of more than 2 db. 8. Land use developments with potential to create additional traffic on collector road 60 db(a) LAeq, 1 hour 55 db(a) LAeq, 1 hour Note 1: Daytime 7:00 am to 10:00 pm. Note 2: Night time 10:00 pm to 7:00 am. Note 3: Arterial roads and sub-arterial roads are grouped together ECRTN (EPA 1999). Where feasible and reasonable, existing noise levels should be mitigated to meet the noise criteria. Examples of applicable strategies include appropriate location of private access roads; regulating times of use; using clustering; using quiet vehicles; and using barriers and acoustic treatments. In all cases, traffic arising from the development should not lead to an increase in existing noise levels of more than 2 db. From Table E5 it can be seen that the re-classification of George Booth Drive from a subarterial road to a collector road results in the application of the road traffic noise criteria from a period assessment (15 hrs - day and 9hrs night) to a one (1) hour assessment. Umwelt (Australia) Pty Limited 2586/R05/Final November

17 Orica Noise Impact Assessment Noise Modelling Methodology 5.0 Noise Modelling Methodology 5.1 Noise Modelling Noise level predictions must take into account all the noise sources that may reasonably be expected when the Project is fully operational. A computer model of the proposed operations was developed using a commercially available software package as per Section 6 of the INP (DECC 2000) to determine the impact of project related noise sources on receivers. The model used was Environmental Noise Model (ENM), developed by RTA Technology Pty Ltd. ENM is recognised and accepted by the DECC as a computer modelling program suited to predicting noise impacts from industrial noise sources. A computer model of the Project was prepared incorporating identifiable noise source data, meteorological data, surrounding terrain characteristics and effects of nearby buildings and structures. The model was used to predict the expected contribution to noise levels from the Project at the nearest potentially affected receiver areas under typical operating conditions. ENM calculates noise levels at either specified receiver locations (Single Point calculation) or generates noise level contours over a defined area (Contour calculation). The Single Point calculation feature of ENM was used to assess the noise impacts from the Project for the meteorological conditions described in Section 5.2 as it provides an increased level of accuracy over the contour method. 5.2 Meteorological Parameters Default Meteorological Conditions In Section 5 of the INP (DECC 2000) the simple approach for assessing the effects of meteorological conditions on the propagation of noise is to assume that the default worstcase meteorological conditions presented in the INP (DECC 2000) are present a significant amount of time. The INP (DECC 2000) notes that this approach is used to test whether further analyses are warranted. The default worst-case meteorological conditions include: a 3 m/s wind from source to receiver; and during the night-time period, a temperature inversion with a lapse rate of 3 o /100 metres and 2 m/s drainage flow from source to receiver. Section 5 of the INP (DECC 2000) notes that this approach is conservative, in that it is likely to predict the upper range of meteorological enhanced noise levels and that actual noise levels may be less than predicted Site Specific Meteorological Conditions In Section 5 of the INP (DECC 2000) the detailed approach notes that, when warranted, site specific meteorological conditions can be derived from the analysis of meteorological data representative of the site. The Orica Technology Centre does not have a weather station, however, there is a weather station located approximately 2.5 kilometres to the east at the Tasman Mine. Umwelt (Australia) Pty Limited 2586/R05/Final November

18 Orica Noise Impact Assessment Noise Modelling Methodology The Noise Impact Assessment (NIA) Heggies, 2002 in the Tasman Underground Mine EIS, Newcastle Coal Company, 2002 analysed meteorological data from the weather station maintained by Tasman Mine. The analysis of the meteorological data indicated the presence of seasonal winds up to 3m/s at greater than 30 per cent of the time from the south to southeast and the north-west. The analysis of the meteorological data (Heggies, 2002) did not include the assessment of inversion conditions. The NIA (Heggies, 2002) used the Seasonal Frequency of Occurrence data in Appendix F of the INP (DECC 2000). As a result it was concluded temperature inversions did not need to be considered as a part of the assessment Modelling Conditions The noise model described in Section 5.1 was used to predict noise levels under INP (DECC 2000) default wind and temperature inversion conditions presented in Table 5.1. Table Meteorological Conditions for Noise Modelling Scenario Temperature ( C) Humidity (%) Wind Speed (m/s) Wind Direction (deg from North) Temperature Gradient ( C/100 m) Calm Daytime Calm Evening Calm Night NE Wind (Source to South-west Receivers) Temperature Inversion and SE Drainage Flow Temperature Inversion (Night - Calm) Operational Noise Sources The specifications of the equipment to be utilised as part of the Project are presented in Appendix D. All plant and equipment have been specified to achieve a maximum sound pressure level of 85 db(a) at 1 metre from the source. The assumptions used in modelling the Project include the following: all acoustically significant plant and equipment operate simultaneously; and the sound power level specifications for all plant items would ensure the elimination of noise characteristics such as tonality, impulsiveness and low frequency noise. Consequently, modifying factor adjustments for these noise characteristics do not need to be considered in the noise assessment. 5.4 Construction Noise Sources Construction activities will include vegetation clearance, earthworks and site preparation, civil works such as laying of foundations and internal access road construction, structural steel erection, and installation of plant equipment, piping, instruments and electricals The Umwelt (Australia) Pty Limited 2586/R05/Final November

19 Orica Noise Impact Assessment Noise Modelling Methodology construction phase activities will involve the use of typical machinery and equipment as shown in Table 5.2. Construction may be undertaken outside the recommended standard hours identified in Table 4.5. Excessively noisy activities will be scheduled during daylight hours. Table 5.2- Expected Construction Equipment Typical Sound Power Levels Equipment Description Operating Condition Sound Power Level Bulldozer (e.g. CAT D10) Clearing vegetation 120 db(a) Backhoe Digging 108 db(a) Concrete Truck (delivery) Discharging 122 db(a) Crawler Crane Lifting 111 db(a) Compressor Operating 110 db(a) Noise emissions from these activities were incorporated into the ENM noise model to determine potential noise impacts from construction at the nearest receiver areas. 5.5 Road Traffic Noise The Environmental Criteria for Road Traffic Noise (ECRTN) EPA, 1999 provides a framework for the assessment of road traffic noise. To facilitate the assessment, the road traffic noise levels from George Booth Drive were modelled using the United States Federal Highway Administration (USFHWA) LAeq calculation method (ref: US EPA Report 550/ , (March 1974) as modified using the equations in Appendix A-13 & CoRTN amendments). The likely impacts of the traffic generated by the Project on the road traffic noise levels from George Booth Drive took into consideration: the current traffic levels on George Booth Drive; the traffic levels on George Booth Drive as a result of the proposed development; the future traffic levels on George Booth Drive with and without the F3 Link to Branxton in place. The details of the current and future traffic volumes on George Booth Drive and the associated road traffic noise level predictions are presented in Appendix E. Umwelt (Australia) Pty Limited 2586/R05/Final November

20 Orica Noise Impact Assessment Noise Predictions 6.0 Noise Predictions 6.1 Predicted ANE Production Facility Operational Noise Levels The proposed Orica ANE Production Facility was modelled using the ENM s Single Point calculation feature to determine noise levels at the nearest receiver areas for the six (6) meteorological scenarios in Table 5.1. The proposed ANE Production Facility operating hours will increase in line with future demand for ANE product up to 24 hours, 7 days per week. The predicted noise levels are presented in Table 6.1 and are compared to the respective Project-specific Noise Levels (PSNLs). Table 6.1 Predicted Operational LAeq, 15 minute Noise Levels, db(a) Meteorological Conditions George Booth Drive (R1 to R16) Sheppeard Drive (R17 to R21) Predicted Noise Level Projectspecific Noise Level Predicted Noise Level Projectspecific Noise Level Calm Daytime <30 46 <30 37 Calm Evening <30 43 <30 36 Calm Night <30 37 <30 35 NE Wind (Source to South-west Receivers) <30 37 <30 35 Temperature Inversion and SE Drainage Flow Temperature Inversion (Night - Calm) <30 35 <30 37 <30 35 The predicted noise levels from the Project for normal operating conditions are predicted to meet the criteria at all residential receiver areas during all operating periods. 6.2 Predicted Construction Noise Levels ENM s Single Point calculation model was used to determine noise levels at the nearest residential receiver areas for the representative construction phase of the Project. Calculations were undertaken for calm daytime and night time conditions. The predicted day time and night time LA10, 15 minute construction noise levels are compared to the relevant construction noise criteria in Tables 6.2 and 6.3. Table Predicted Day Time LAeq, 15 minute Construction Noise Levels, db(a) Receiver Area George Booth Drive (R1 to R16) Sheppeard Drive (R17 to R21) Predicted Day Time Construction Noise Levels Day Time Construction Noise Criteria < < Umwelt (Australia) Pty Limited 2586/R05/Final November

21 Orica Noise Impact Assessment Noise Predictions Table Predicted Night Time LAeq, 15 minute Construction Noise Levels Receiver Area George Booth Drive (R1 to R16) Sheppeard Drive (R17 to R21) Predicted Night Time Construction Noise Levels Night Time Construction Noise Criteria < < The results presented in Tables 6.2 and 6.3 indicate that construction noise levels are predicted to comply with the DECC s daytime construction noise criteria and the adopted night time construction noise criteria at all residential receiver locations for construction during the daytime and night time periods. 6.3 Sleep Disturbance The noise sources associated with the Project are typically continuous in nature, and as a result the typical LAmax noise levels experienced at the nearest residential receivers are expected to be within 3 db(a) of the calculated LAeq noise levels. This increase was modelled during the worst-case meteorological conditions, being a night time temperature inversion to determine the maximum sleep disturbance noise levels as a result of the Project. The predicted LA1, 1 minute noise levels are presented in Table 6.4 and are compared to the relevant sleep disturbance noise goals. Table Predicted LA1 1minute Noise Levels, db(a) Receiver Area George Booth Drive (R1 to R16) Sheppeard Drive (R17 to R21) Predicted Maximum Sleep Disturbance Noise Levels Sleep Disturbance Noise Criteria The results presented in Table 6.4 indicate that the predicted noise levels meet the recommended sleep disturbance noise goals at all residential receiver locations. 6.4 Road Traffic Noise Assessment Existing noise levels have been calculated from measurements of truck and car passby events during the attended monitoring program on the period 20 January, 30 July and 17 August This data was used in conjunction with the proposed traffic generation estimations to calculate the change in traffic noise levels associated with the Project. The modelling of road traffic noise assumed exhaust braking would not be used. Predictions of road traffic noise were made at each of the potential residential receiver on George Booth Drive. The details of the traffic noise monitoring, modelling and assessment are presented in Appendix E. and summarised in Table 6.5. Umwelt (Australia) Pty Limited 2586/R05/Final November

22 Orica Noise Impact Assessment Noise Predictions Table 6.5 Predicted Increase in Road Traffic Noise, db(a) Property ID Setback from centerline of road (m) Day Time - Predicted Existing 1 Commence 1 Operations Full 2 Operations Predicted Night Time Existing 1 Commence 1 Operations Full 2 Operations Criteria - LAeq, period Criteria - LAeq, 1 hour Note 1: From Appendix E, Table E12 - Predicted Increase in Road Traffic Noise at the Commencement of Operations Note 2: From Appendix E, Table E13 - Predicted Increase in LAeq, 1 hour Road Traffic Noise at Full Production in 2023 Note 3: Assessed as a sub-arterial road Note 4: Assessed as a collector road The results in Table 6.5 indicate that during the initial stage of the development the increase in road traffic associated with the Project will not increase the road traffic noise level more than 0.4 db nor will the noise levels exceed the relevant road traffic noise level criteria at all but one potentially affected residential receiver locations along George Booth Drive. The façade of one property (Property 3) is within 20 metres of the centre line of George Booth Drive. The predicted noise levels at the façade of the Property 3 for a 7187 AADT (existing traffic level) without the traffic movement associated with the Project would be 61.0 db(a) LAeq, 15 hour day and 55.0 db(a) LAeq, 9 hour night. The increase in road traffic associated with the Project at the commencement of operations would increase the road traffic noise level by 0.1 db during the day time and 0.3 db during the night time. Table 6.5 indicates that following the construction of the F3 Link to Branxton the road traffic noise levels, including noise generated by road traffic associated with the Project at full production levels, at each of the properties along George Booth Drive would not exceed the day time and night time criteria of 60 db(a) LAeq, 1 hour day and 55 db(a) LAeq, 1 hour night. Umwelt (Australia) Pty Limited 2586/R05/Final November

23 Orica Noise Impact Assessment Cumulative Noise Impact Assessment 7.0 Cumulative Noise Impact Assessment The INP (DEC 2000) addresses potential cumulative noise impacts from existing and proposed developments in an area by ensuring that appropriate noise emission criteria and consent limits are established with a view to maintaining acceptable noise amenity levels for residents. Based on the INP (DEC 2000), the amenity noise level is measured as the LAeq, period noise level (where period = day, evening or night). In relation to industrial noise sources, the acceptable amenity criteria applicable to the region surrounding the Project would be: Table 7.1 Cumulative Noise Goals based on Amenity Level Period Acceptable Cumulative Noise Level LAeq period, db(a) Maximum Cumulative Noise Level LAeq period, db(a) Day Evening Night The predicted intrusive LAeq, 15 minute noise levels during the operational phase of the Project are below 33 db(a) at the nearest residential receivers. Noise levels associated with construction are predicted to be less than 15 db(a) LAeq, 15 minute at the nearest potentially affected receiver. As a result, the predicted contribution from the Project to the amenity noise level would be 33 db(a) LAeq, Period or less. One of the objectives of the attended noise monitoring program was to identify the contribution to the ambient noise levels from existing developments in the region surrounding the Project. Two possible sources of industrial noise were identified: Tasman Mine; and the existing operations at the Orica Technology Centre. During the night time attended monitoring period mining infrastructure related noise was audible at the Sheppeard Drive monitoring location. The run charts presented in Appendix C of this NIA show that the noise levels from Tasman Mine contributed to the background noise environment with a noise level of approximately 25 to 26 db(a). No sources of industrial noise were identified attributable to the existing operations at the Orica Technology Centre and Tasman Mine was not audible at the monitoring location on George Booth Drive. As there are no significant industrial noise sources contributing to the cumulative noise levels at the residential receiver locations on Sheppeard Drive and George Booth Drive the combined noise impacts due to the Project and the existing developments in the region would result in a predicted cumulative noise level of 33 db(a) LAeq, Period or less. This is well below the acceptable amenity noise levels of 40 db(a) LAeq, night, 45 db(a) LAeq, evening and 50 db(a) LAeq, day. Umwelt (Australia) Pty Limited 2586/R05/Final November

24 Orica Noise Impact Assessment Summary of Findings and Noise Management 8.0 Summary of Findings and Noise Management Umwelt has undertaken a Noise Impact Assessment in accordance with the INP (DECC 2000) of the proposed Orica ANE Production Facility at Orica s Technology Centre site located at Richmond Vale, NSW. The key findings of the NIA are as follows: The results of the Noise Impact Assessment indicate that the operational noise levels are predicted to meet the project-specific noise criteria at all residential receivers under default INP (DECC 2000) weather conditions. The cumulative noise impact of the Project would also comply with INP (DECC 2000) criteria. Construction noise levels will not result in any discernible impact on surrounding receivers as predicted noise levels comply with the DECC s daytime construction noise criteria and the adopted night time construction noise criteria at all residential receiver locations. Predicted noise levels are predicted to comply with the recommended sleep disturbance noise goals at all residential receivers. Prior to the completion of the F3 Link to Branxton (the Hunter Expressway), road traffic noise from the Project is predicted to meet the relevant ECRTN road traffic noise criteria at all but one potentially affected residential receiver locations along George Booth Drive. The façade of one property (Property 3) is within 20 metres of the centre line of George Booth Drive. Based on the CoRTN modelling of George Booth Drive, Property 3 experiences noise levels from the existing traffic on George Booth Drive at or above ECRTN road traffic noise criteria. Prior to the completion of the F3 Link to Branxton the increase in road traffic associated with the Project would increase the road traffic noise level by 0.1 db during the day time and 0.3 db during the night time. Following the construction of the F3 Link to Branxton road traffic noise from the Project is predicted to meet the relevant ECRTN road traffic noise criteria at all the potentially affected residential receiver locations along George Booth Drive. 8.1 Noise Management Measures While the Project is predicted to satisfy all relevant noise criteria, Orica have undertaken to minimise noise from construction and operation where practicable. The design of the Project has been undertaken to ensure that equipment noise is considered during the specification of equipment, including a design criteria of 85dB(A) at 1m. Activities that are likely to generate greater noise, especially during construction, will be undertaken where possible during the day. Orica will continue to review noise management practices as required during construction and operation. 8.2 Mitigation of Road Traffic Noise Increased noise annoyance or increased sleep disturbance could occur during the night time due to the movement of heavy vehicles associated with the Project. The greatest risk is associated with the use of heavy vehicle exhaust brakes at night when decelerating on the approach to the bend in George Booth Drive at the intersection of Richmond Vale Road, when travelling towards Technology Centre, or when nearing the intersection with John Renshaw Drive. Umwelt (Australia) Pty Limited 2586/R05/Final November

25 Orica Noise Impact Assessment Summary of Findings and Noise Management To address this risk Orica will implement a Traffic Management Protocol and Driver Code of Conduct with the Transport Company that may include measures such as: restrictions on the use of exhaust brakes in both directions on the section of George Booth Drive between John Renshaw Drive and the entrance road to Orica (i.e. the intersection between Echidna Drive and George Booth Drive); and maintaining a record of vehicles used to transport product to enable monitoring of adherence to the Traffic Management Protocol. Umwelt (Australia) Pty Limited 2586/R05/Final November

26 Orica Noise Impact Assessment References 9.0 References Richard Heggie Associates Pty Limited, Tasman Underground Mine EIS - Noise Impact Assessment Newcastle Coal Company Pty Limited, Tasman Underground Mine EIS NSW Environment Protection Authority, Environmental Noise Control Manual. NSW Environment Protection Authority, New South Wales Industrial Noise Policy. Transport and Urban Planning, Traffic and Impact Assessment for Proposed Ammonium Nitrate Emulsion Manufacturing Plant at Orica s Mining Services Technology Park at Richmond Vale. UK Department of Transport, Calculation of Road Traffic Noise (CoRTN). US EPA Report 550/ March 1974 Umwelt (Australia) Pty Limited 2586/R05/Final November

27 APPENDIX A Glossary and Definitions Acoustics

28 Appendix A - Glossary and Definitions - Acoustics 1/3 Octave Single octave bands divided into three parts Octave ABL ANL A division of the frequency range into bands, the upper frequency limit of each band being twice the lower frequency limit. Assessment background level - A single-figure background level representing each assessment period day, evening and night (that is, three assessment background levels are determined for each 24-h period of the monitoring period). It is determined by taking the lowest 10th percentile of the L 90 level for each assessment period. Acceptable Noise Level is an L Aeq, period (day, evening or night) listed in Table 2.1 of the INP as being a noise level from industrial sources that is recommended not to be exceeded, but may be exceeded in certain circumstances, in which case Table 2.1 lists a Recommended Maximum noise level which is 5 db greater than the ANL, and which provides guidance on an upper limit to noise from industry. Ambient Noise The noise associated with a given environment. Typically a composite of sounds from many sources located both near and far where no particular sound is dominant. A Weighting Background Noise Level Cumulative Daytime Or Day db(a), dba A standard weighting of the audible frequencies designed to reflect the response of the human ear to noise. Defined (Industrial Noise Policy, section 3.1) as the underlying level of noise present in ambient noise when all unusual extraneous noise has been removed. It is considered to be represented by the LA90 usually measured over a 15 minute period. Cumulative noise level is the total of noise from all sources. A cumulative assessment is required when noises from several industrial sources (existing, proposed and potential), each of which might be less than a criterion, can combine to cause a noise level in excess of the criterion. For Monday to Saturday 7.00am 6.00pm; On Sundays and Public Holidays 8.00am 6.00pm. Decibels A-weighted. db(l), db(lin) Decibels Linear or decibels Z-weighted. Decibel (db) Evening The units of sound level and noise exposure measurement where a step of 10 db is a ten-fold increase in intensity or sound energy and actually sounds a little more than twice as loud. 6.00pm to 10.00pm for all seven days of the week. Gradient Wind A hypothetical wind that is the summation of the horizontal components of winds that contributes to the vector direction being assessed. Hertz (Hz) The measure of frequency of sound wave oscillations per second - 1 oscillation per second equals 1 hertz. Intrusive noise refers to noise (measured as LAeq, 15 minutes) that intrudes above the background level measured in the absence of the source by more than 5 db. LA10 The percentile sound pressure level exceeded for 10% of the measurement period with 'A' frequency weighting calculated by statistical analysis. Typically used to assess the impact of an existing operation on a receiver area and is referred to as the cumulative noise levels at the receiver attributable to the noise source. 2586/R05/AA 1

29 LA90 LAmax LA1,1minute LAeq,t LAn Nighttime Or Night Background Noise Level. The percentile sound pressure level exceeded for 90% of the measurement period with 'A' frequency weighting calculated by statistical analysis. The maximum of the sound pressure levels recorded over an interval of 1 second. The measure of the short duration high-level noises that cause sleep arousal. The noise level is measured as the percentile sound pressure level that is exceeded 1 per cent of measurement period with 'A' frequency weighting calculated by statistical analysis during a measurement time interval of 1 minute. Equivalent continuous sound pressure level - The value of the sound pressure level of a continuous steady noise that, a measurement interval of time (t), has the same mean square sound pressure as the sound under consideration whose level varies with time. Usually measured in db with 'A' weighting. Percentile level - A measure of the fluctuation of the sound pressure level which is exceeded n per cent of the observation time. For Monday to Saturday 10.00pm am; On Sundays and Public Holidays 10.00pm am. Noise is the area around an industrial noise source where LAeq, 15 minute levels are above Affectation 5dB above the project-specific noise levels. Zone. Noise Management Zone RBL SPL (dba) is the area around an industrial noise source where LAeq, 15 minute levels are between 1 and 5 db above the project-specific noise levels or criteria Rating background level - The overall single figure background level representing each assessment period over the whole monitoring period determined by taking the median of the ABLs found for each assessment period. Noise: Sound pressure level - The basic measure of noise loudness. The level of the root-mean-square sound pressure in decibels given by: SPL = 10.log10 (p/po) 2 where p is the rms sound pressure in pascals and po is the sound reference pressure at 20 μpa. decibels. SWL Sound power level - A measure of the energy emitted from a source as sound and is given by: SWL = 10.log10 (W/W o ) where W is the sound power in watts and W o is the sound reference power at watts. 2586/R05/AA 2

30 APPENDIX B Noise Impact Assessment Procedures

31 Appendix B - Noise Impact Assessment Procedures Industrial Noise Policy Responsibility for the control of noise emissions in NSW is vested in Local Government and the DECC. The Industrial Noise Policy (INP) released by DECC in December 2000, provides a framework and methodology for deriving limit conditions for consent and licence conditions. Using this policy the DECC regulates premises that are scheduled under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act, 1997 (POEO Act). The specific INP objectives are: to establish noise criteria that would protect the community from excessive intrusive noise and preserve amenity for specific land uses; to use the criteria as the basis for deriving project-specific noise levels; to promote uniform methods to estimate and measure noise impacts, including a procedure for evaluating meteorological effects; to outline a range of mitigation measures that could be used to minimise noise impacts; to provide a formal process to guide the determination of feasible and reasonable noise limits for consent or licence conditions that reconcile noise impacts with the economic, social and environmental considerations of industrial development; and to carry out functions relating to the prevention, minimisation and control of noise from premises scheduled under the POEO Act. The INP is designed for large and complex industrial sources and outlines processes designed to strike a feasible and reasonable balance between the operation of industrial activities and the protection of the community from noise levels that are intrusive or unpleasant. The application of the INP involves the following processes: determining the project-specific noise levels (PSNL) for intrusiveness and amenity based on measurement of the existing background and ambient noise levels; predicting or measuring the noise levels produced by the development; and comparing the predicted noise levels with the project-specific noise levels and assessing impacts. Where the project-specific noise levels are predicted to be exceeded the INP provides guidelines on the assessment of feasible and reasonable noise mitigation strategies, including: weighing up the benefit of the development against the social and environmental costs resulting from the noise impacts; establishment of achievable and agreed noise limits for the development in consultation with the consent authority; and undertaking performance monitoring of environmental noise levels to determine compliance with the consent and licence conditions. 2586/R05/AB 1