November 2004 (PDF 11.6 MB) - Barrick Gold Corporation

• the noise-source proponent and manager,through consideration of noise issues at theplanning stage of a project and through directcontrol of the noise impacts by theappropriate combination of noisemanagement tools and engineering design ofthe source.1.3 Scope of the policyThe policy is specifically aimed at assessing noisefrom industrial noise sources scheduled under thenew Protection of the Environment Operations Act1997. It will be used as a guide by EnvironmentProtection Authority (EPA) officers for settingstatutory limits in licences for these sources. Localgovernment is an independent regulator for noiseunder the legislation, and thus has discretion indealing with noise within its area of responsibility.The policy is designed for large and complexindustrial sources and specifies substantial monitoringand assessment procedures that may notalways be applicable to the types of sources councilsneed to address. However, local governmentmay find the policy helpful in the carrying-out of itsland-use planning responsibilities (for example, thesetting of targets in local and regional environmentalplans).In general, the types of noise sources dealt with inthe policy are:• facilities (encompassing all the activitiestaking place within the property boundary ofthe facility) usually comprising many sourcesof sound, including—industrial premises—extractive industries—commercial premises—warehousing facilities• maintenance and repair facilities• individual industrial sources, such as—heating, ventilating and air conditioning(HVAC) equipment—rotating machinery—impacting mechanical sources—other mechanical equipment and machinerysuch as conveyors—mobile sources confined to a particularlocation, such as draglines and haultrucks.The policy’s focus is on the noise emitted fromindustrial sites and how this may affect the amenityof nearby receivers. Internal or occupational noisewithin any workplace is a separate issue administeredby the WorkCover Authority under the OccupationalHealth and Safety Act 1983.Examples of noise sources that are NOT dealt withby the policy are:• transportation corridors (roadways, railwaysand air corridors)• motor sport facilities• construction activities• noise sources covered by regulations(domestic/neighbourhood noise).Noise from vehicle movements associated with anindustrial source is covered by the industrial noisesource policy if the vehicles are not on a publicroad. If the vehicles are on a public road, the EnvironmentalCriteria for Road Traffic Noise (EPA 1999)apply.In particular instances specific noise criteria may bedefined for sources where the standard approach isnot appropriate, for example, wind farms.1.4 Applying the policyThe assessment of noise impact is complex andsubjective, and is rarely (if ever) able to be consideredin isolation from other social and economicaspects of a development or activity. The policyoutlines processes to help strike a feasible andreasonable balance between the establishment andoperation of industrial activities and the protectionof the community from noise levels that are intrusiveor unpleasant.In summary, noise management involves the followingmain steps:1. Determining the project specific noise levelsfor intrusiveness and amenity that arerelevant to the site or the area (Section 2).NSW industrial noise policy2