Monorail Removal Project - Review of Environmental Factors (REF)

5.8.2 Work hoursBackgroundThe ‘Interim Construction Noise Guideline’ (DECC 2009) (the ICNG) recommends standardhours for construction activities. The ICNG acknowledges that a number of activities havejustification to be undertaken outside the recommended hours, assuming all reasonable andfeasible mitigation measures are implemented to minimise the impacts to the surroundingsensitive land uses:• the delivery of oversized plant or structures that police or other authorities determinerequire special arrangements to transport along public roads• emergency work to avoid the loss of life or damage to property, or to preventenvironmental harm• maintenance and repair of public infrastructure where disruption to essential servicesand/or considerations of worker safety do not allow work within standard hours• public infrastructure works that shorten the length of the proposal and are supported bythe affected community• works where a proponent demonstrates and justifies a need to operate outside therecommended standard hours• works which maintain noise levels at receivers to below the noise management levelsoutside of the recommended standard construction hoursWork hours for the proposalThe CBD is characterised by a complex and busy traffic, transport and pedestrian environment.In recognition of this, and the potential for traffic disruption, noise and other amenity impacts,the conceptual methodology has been designed to minimise disruption by undertaking certainworks at different times:• night works - works requiring road closures would be undertaken during the night tominimise disruptions to traffic and pedestrian movements, and businesses• day works – works with the potential to generate noise impacts would be undertakenduring the day to minimise the potential for sleep disturbance• weekend – weekend works (during the day or night) may be required.It is also noted that, in general, the works would be highly localised and temporary in nature.Work component 2 would move rapidly around the route. Other work components, such as theremoval of the stations, maintenance facility and works on Pyrmont Bridge, would takeapproximately six to 12 weeks to complete.The proposed timing for the proposal is summarised in Table 5.6. The timing would be refinedas the detailed methodology is developed.42 | GHD | Transport for NSW - Monorail Removal Project REF