The NSW Environment Protection Authority (the EPA) is seeking feedback on a draft Construction Noise Guidelines

Key Criteria On Feedback Sought

The NSW EPA is seeking feedback with a view to ensuring that the Construction Noise Guideline it intends to issue addresses four key criteria:

1. Improves guidance for activities that take place outside of the recommended standard hours of work
2. Provision of a simplified assessment path for routine activities undertaken by public authorities
3. Emphasising the importance of community engagement when planning the management of construction noise impacts
4. Alignment of the level of assessment required with the risk of construction noise impact

Key Steps In Construction Noise Management

The proposed guideline details the following key steps in construction noise management:

• Identification of sensitive land uses that may be affected and proposed hours of work
• Selection of the appropriate assessment method based upon the likely risk of noise impact
  • Qualitative Assessment: Involving a simplified procedure for low noise impacts such as small construction
  • Quantitative Assessment: Predicting noise from activities at noise sensitive receivers. Necessary for anticipated high levels of noise and required for major construction projects that require an Environmental Impact Assessment
• Determination of the likely noise impacts using either a qualitative or quantitative assessment method
• Identification and justification of the selection of feasible and reasonable work practices to minimize noise impacts
• Documentation of the outcome of the above steps in a noise impact assessment or environmental assessment report
• Engagement with the community where appropriate and commensurate with the risk of noise impact.

Deadline for Feedback: The deadline to provide feedback to the NSW Government closes on 15 March 2021

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Resources: NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA), Your Environment, Noise, Construction Noise 

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