Warrawee Substation - Review of Environmental Factors

Warrawee Substation Page 15Operational Noise & Construction Noise & Vibration AssessmentReport No. 11332 Version B6 CONSTRUCTION NOISE CRITERIAThe NSW Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) released the “Interim Construction NoiseGuideline” (ICNG) in July 2009. The guideline provides noise goals that assist in assessing theimpact of construction noise.For residences, the basic daytime construction noise goal is that the L Aeq, 15min noise level shouldnot exceed the background noise by more than 10dBA. This is for standard hours: Monday toFriday 7.00am to 6.00pm, and Saturday 8.00am to 1.00pm. Outside the standard hours, theneed for works need to be strongly justified and in this case the criterion would be background+ 5dBA. Table 4-1 details the ICNG noise goals.Table 6-1 Construction Noise Goals at Residences using QuantitativeAssessmentTime of DayManagementLevelL Aeq,(15min)How to ApplyRecommendedStandard Hours:Monday to Friday7am to 6pmSaturday8am to 1pmNo work on Sundaysor Public HolidaysNoise affectedRBL + 10dBAHighly noiseaffected75dBAThe noise affected level represents the point above which theremay be some community reaction to noise.Where the predicted or measured L Aeq,(15min) is greater than thenoise affected level, the proponent should apply all feasible andreasonable work practices to minimise noise.The proponent should also inform all potentially impactedresidents of the nature of works to be carried out, the expectednoise levels and duration, as well as contact details.The highly noise affected level represents the point abovewhich there may be strong community reaction to noise.Where noise is above this level, the proponent should considervery carefully if there is any other feasible and reasonable wayto reduce noise to below this level.If no quieter work method is feasible and reasonable, and theworks proceed, the proponent should communicate with theimpacted residents by clearly explaining the duration and noiselevel of the works, and by describing any respite periods thatwill be provided.Outsiderecommendedstandard hoursNoise affectedRBL + 5dBA strong justification would typically be required for worksoutside the recommended standard hours.The proponent should apply all feasible and reasonable workpractices to meet the noise affected level.Where all feasible and reasonable practices have been appliedand noise is more than 5dB(A) above the noise affected level,the proponent should negotiate with the community.For guidance on negotiating agreements see section 7.2.2.