November 2004 (PDF 11.6 MB) - Barrick Gold Corporation

Figure 1.1.Applying the policyProject-specific noise levelsDerive project-specific noise levels from applying monitored existing noise levels to the general noisecriteria for intrusiveness and amenity. (See Figure 1.3 for details.)AssessmentProponent estimates likely noise impacts under existing weather conditions (this may includetemperature inversion conditions where they are significant) and includes any adjustment for noisecharacteristics.MitigationIf project-specific noise levels are exceeded, proponent examines feasible and reasonable mitigationmeasures, considering community preferences, and determines resultant noise levels.Decision-making processWhere resultant noise levels exceed project-specific noise levels, then the regulatory/consentauthority either accepts the resultant level or negotiates if a better level of control is thoughtachievable.Where project-specific noise levels are exceeded, proponent assesses the level of impact bycomparing resultant noise levels against the project-specific noise levels (for example, noise exceedsproject-specific noise levels by X dB, number of people affected, likely impacts on activities, % of timeimpact occurs) and factoring-in economic and social benefits from the development.ConditionsConsent and licence conditions are set after carefully considering the benefit of full compliance withthe project-specific noise levels, balanced against the overall social, economic and environmentalbenefits of the development. The consent and licence conditions may include the noise limits to beachieved and other related conditions, but acquisition levels may be included in only the developmentconsent.Monitoring environmental noise performanceCompliance with consent/licence conditions.NSW industrial noise policy8