1 Introduction

1.1 Relationship to planning scheme

This planning scheme policy:

(a) provides information the Council may request for a development application;

(b) provides guidance or advice about satisfying an assessment criteria which identifies this
planning scheme policy as providing that guidance or advice;

(c) states a standard for the following assessment criteria identified in the table.

Column 1 – Column 2 – Column 3 –

Section or table in the code Assessment criteria reference Standard in the planning
scheme policy

Active frontages in residential zones overlay code

Table 8.2.1.3 PO7 All

Airport environs overlay code

Table 8.2.2.3.A PO8 note Section 2

Commercial character building (activities) overlay code

Table 8.2.7.3 PO4 All

Extractive resources overlay code

Table 8.2.10.3.A PO5 note Section 2

Table 8.2.10.3.C Table note Section 6

Industrial amenity overlay code

Table 8.2.13.3.A PO2 note Section 2

Table 8.2.14.3.E Table note Section 6

Table 8.2.14.3.F Table note Section 6

Animal keeping code

Table 9.3.1.3 PO1 All

Table 9.3.1.3 PO2 All

Caretaker's accommodation code

Table 9.3.2.3.A PO2 note Section 2

Table 9.3.2.3.B Table note Section 6

Child care centre code

Schedule 6 - Planning Scheme Policies (Noise Impact Assessment) Effective 12 September 2014
Table 9.3.4.3 PO10 All

Centre or mixed use code

Table 9.3.3.3.A PO1 note Section 2

Table 9.3.3.3.F Table note Section 5; Section 6

Table 9.3.3.3.G Table note Section 6

Table 9.3.3.3.H Table note Section 6

Community facilities code

Table 9.3.5.3.A PO2 note Section 2

Table 9.3.5.3.B Table note Section 5; Section 6

Table 9.3.5.3.C Table note Section 6

Extractive industry code

Table 9.3.9.3.A PO6 note Section 2

Table 9.3.9.3.A PO7 note Section 2

Table 9.3.9.3.C Table note Section 5; Section 6

Table 9.3.9.3.D Table note Section 6

Table 9.3.9.3.E Table note Section 6

Indoor sport and recreation

Table 9.3.11.3.A PO2 note Section 2

Table 9.3.11.3.B Table note Section 5; Section 6

Table 9.3.11.3.C Table note Section 6

Industry code

Table 9.3.12.3.A PO2 note Section 2

Table 9.3.12.3.E Table note Section 5; Section 6

Table 9.3.12.3.F Table note Section 6

Table 9.3.12.3.G Table note Section 6

Multiple dwelling code

Table 9.3.14.3.A PO41 note Section 2

Table 9.3.14.3.A PO42 All

Residential care facility code

Schedule 6 - Planning Scheme Policies (Noise Impact Assessment) Effective 12 September 2014
Table 9.3.18.3 PO3 All

Service station code

Table 9.3.21.3.A PO9 note Section 2

Table 9.3.21.3.B Table note Section 5; Section 6

Table 9.3.21.3.C Table note Section 6

Short term accommodation code

Table 9.3.22.3 PO3 All

Special purpose code

Table 9.3.24.3.A PO1 note Section 2

Table 9.3.24.3.A PO24 note Section 2

Table 9.3.24.3.B Table note Section 5; Section 6

Table 9.3.24.3.C Table note Section 6

Table 9.3.24.3.D Table note Section 6

Specialised centre code

Table 9.3.25.3.A PO2 note Section 2

Table 9.3.25.3.B Table note Section 5; Section 6

Table 9.3.25.3.C Table note Section 6

Table 9.3.25.3.D Table note Section 6

1.2 Purpose

This planning scheme policy provides information for a development application, guidance and
advice for satisfying assessment criteria and standards for assessment criteria for:

(a) preparing a noise impact assessment report;

(b) the noise impact assessment methodologies to be used to assess the potential noise
impacts of development and to demonstrate achievement of the noise criteria.

2 Noise impact assessment report

(1) A noise impact assessment report is to:

(a) Describe the impact of noise by the development, where the development emits noise.

(b) Describe the impact of noise on the development, where the development is a sensitive
use and exposed to noise.

(2) A noise impact assessment report is to describe the existing acoustic environment, present
the future forecasted acoustic environment, assess impacts using direct comparisons to noise

Schedule 6 - Planning Scheme Policies (Noise Impact Assessment) Effective 12 September 2014
 criteria and describe the noise impact control measures that will be applied by the
development.

(3) A noise impact assessment report is to contain the following information as relevant to the
specific assessment, although there may be circumstances that warrant further content:

(a) description and location of sensitive uses or sensitive zones that may be affected by noise
emissions from the development or description and location of existing noise emission
sources if the development is a sensitive use;

(b) description of and justification for, the noise model and algorithms used to predict the
propagation of noise from the noise sources relevant to the development;

(c) noise model configuration and justification for the model configuration;

(d) an inventory of noise emission sources in accordance with section 3;

(e) model input data and the representativeness, accuracy and resolution of the input data,
including noise source sound power levels, operating hours of each noise source, ground
cover assumptions, topography assumptions, road gradient where relevant, reflections
from buildings and acoustic fences and noise source and receiver heights;

(f) methods and assumptions for calculating the effectiveness of noise impact control
measures, including the predicted attenuation from shielding from buildings, acoustic
fences, fences, walls, mounds or enclosures, in accordance with the requirements of
section 4;

(g) details of noise model calibration method and results;

(h) assumptions and uncertainties associated with the noise modelling;

(i) noise modelling results for the relevant assessment period(s), including day (07:00 –
18:00), evening (18:00-22:00) and night (22:00-07:00) periods, presented in tabular and
graphical form, including contours overlayed on a map or aerial photograph to scale;

(j) details of modifying factor adjustments in accordance with section 6.1;

(k) where measuring existing noise sources, details of noise monitoring equipment, field
calibration, location and results; including:

(i) noise sample times and measurement intervals;

(ii) weather conditions during measurement, including wind speed, wind direction
and rainfall;

(iii) adjustments for reflecting surfaces where relevant;

(iv) table summary of measured noise levels;

(v) graphical presentation of measured noise levels using 15 minute intervals, for
each noise descriptor;

(vi) site photograph indicating the position of the noise monitoring equipment.

(l) A site plan to scale showing:

(i) the location of the noise sources assessed;

Schedule 6 - Planning Scheme Policies (Noise Impact Assessment) Effective 12 September 2014
 (ii) the location of the sensitive uses and/or sensitive zones that may be impacted by
noise from the development, or where the development is for a sensitive use, the
location of existing noise sources that may impact the development;

(iii) the location of noise monitoring equipment used in the assessment;

(iv) the location of existing or proposed structures, including but not limited to
buildings and acoustic fences;

(v) the location of any earth mounding, cuttings or other significant topographical
features.

(m) a comparison of the measured and predicted source noise levels, including modifying
factor adjustments to the noise criteria;

(n) a description of the noise impact control measures necessary to achieve the noise criteria,
including hours of operation, acoustic fences, enclosures and dwelling insulation and
including details of the construction materials and the design;

(o) the noise level to be achieved at the boundary or specific location at the site that is
necessary for achieving the noise criteria at a sensitive use or sensitive zone;

(p) conclusions;

(q) recommendations;

(r) references;

(s) sample calculations, that is screenshots of spread sheet or relevant software used:

(i) digital modelling inputs: ground data (topography, absorption), noise source and
receiver data, buildings, barriers, road/rail traffic.

(t) data, ESRI shapefile or DXF versions;

(u) digital modelling output of noise contours in 1dB increments (shapefile or DXF) or 5m grid
output (Shapefile, TXT or CSV).

3 Inventory of noise emission sources

(1) A noise impact assessment report is to include a comprehensive and representative inventory
of noise emissions associated with the development and from other sources, including:

(a) all the proposed and existing noise emission sources relevant to the development;

(b) the sound power level or sound pressure level, how often it occurs, duration and
operating times of each noise source;

(c) the characteristics of each noise source, including low frequency, vibration, tonal or
impulsive characteristics;

(d) whether each noise source produces steady sound or non-steady sound.

(2) The noise emission inventory data is to be used to assess the noise impacts associated with
the development.

Schedule 6 - Planning Scheme Policies (Noise Impact Assessment) Effective 12 September 2014
4 Noise impact control measures
(1) A noise impact assessment report is to include the details of the noise impact control
measures that will be applied by the development, including the following:

(a) A description of the effectiveness of the measures and the noise attenuation performance
of the measures.

(b) A description of any ongoing maintenance requirements to ensure that the stated noise
attenuation performance of the measure does not deteriorate with time.
Note—The information provided in the noise impact assessment report may be used to guide the drafting of approval conditions
and also emission limits where the development is an environmentally relevant activity. Therefore the development proponent
must be confident that the noise attenuation performance and noise impact control measures stated in the noise impact
assessment report are achievable and are consistent with the design, competent operation and maintenance of the development.
Post-commissioning testing may also be required as a condition of approval to establish that noise sources or noise impact control
measures comply with statements made in the noise impact assessment report.

(2) The noise impact control measures to be considered, include the following:

(a) acoustic fences, mounds, enclosures or buildings;

(b) siting noisy activities such as loading and unloading areas, waste collection areas or car
parks at the greatest distance from neighbouring or nearby sensitive uses;

(c) siting noisy equipment, plant or machinery at the greatest distance from neighbouring or
nearby sensitive uses;

(d) orientating building openings or noisy equipment, plant or machinery so that noise
emissions are directed away from sensitive uses;

(e) scheduling the use of noisy equipment or undertaking noisy activities, at the least-
sensitive time of day (e.g. 7am to 6pm on a business day);

(f) incorporating noise attenuation into building construction, including masonry

construction, ceiling insulation, thick window glazing, double glazed windows or
acoustically sealed windows and doors;

(g) locating bedrooms and living rooms on the shielded side of the dwelling away from the
noise source.

(3) The noise impact control measures selected for the development are not to be reliant on
behavioural performance that introduces a significant risk of noise impacts or which would
require a high level of compliance monitoring by Council.

(4) The noise impact control measures selected for the development are to be consistent with
and not compromise other City Plan objectives, such as safety and surveillance, visual amenity
and active street frontages. In general acoustic fences above the heights stated in Table 1 are
not appropriate noise impact control measures.

Table 1—Guide to maximum acoustic fence heights

Acoustic fence location Height above natural ground level

Residential front fences

Up to 1.5m depending on density of the residential zone
and fence material.
Schedule 6 - Planning Scheme Policies (Noise Impact Assessment) Effective 12 September 2014
Where between dwellings, the side Up to 1.5m; or
setback forward of the building line Up to 1.8m where the dwelling is built to the boundary

Where between dwellings, the portion Up to 1.8m

of the side boundary adjacent to
private open space;
battle-axe blocks;
lane frontages

Fronting major roads (arterial, Up to 2.4m

motorway), commercial or industrial
uses

5 Assessment of existing acoustic environment

(1) The following information is to be included in the noise impact assessment report for the
assessment of the existing acoustic environment:

(a) A qualitative description of the existing acoustic environment.

(b) Description of the noise monitoring equipment and procedures used to assess the existing
acoustic environment.

(c) A site plan to scale showing:

(i) the location of any existing noise sources that may contribute to the existing
acoustic environment including roads, railways, airports, industry and commercial
premises;

(ii) the location of the sensitive uses and sensitive zones that may be impacted by
noise from the development, or where the development is for a sensitive use, the
location of existing noise sources that may impact the development;

(iii) the location of noise monitoring equipment used to assess the existing acoustic
environment, including distance to any existing noise source that may contribute
to the existing acoustic environment;

(iv) the location of existing or proposed structures, including but not limited to
buildings, acoustic fences, walls and fences;

(v) the location of any earth mounding, cuttings or other significant topographical
features.

(d) Site photograph indicating the position of the noise monitoring equipment.

(e) Details of noise monitoring equipment field calibration results.

(f) Noise monitoring results including:

(i) sample times and measurement intervals;

(ii) weather conditions during measurement including wind speed, wind direction
and rainfall;
Schedule 6 - Planning Scheme Policies (Noise Impact Assessment) Effective 12 September 2014
 (iii) adjustments for reflecting surfaces where relevant;

(iv) description of noise sources that make up the existing acoustic environment (e.g.
aircraft, industry, mechanical plant, dog barking) and discussion of extraneous
noise and any effect it may have on the results;

(v) table summary of measured sound pressure levels and results;

(vi) graphical presentation of measured sound pressure levels using 15 minute

intervals and including the LAmax, LAeq and LA90 noise descriptors;

(vii) methodology used for predicting sound pressure levels at locations other than at
those monitored;

(viii) electronic Microsoft Excel version of the logged data.

(g) Rating background levels relevant to the development for day, evening and night for the
most affected sensitive zones or sensitive uses, determined in accordance with section 5.1.

(h) Existing ambient sound pressure levels, including L Amax and LAeq for day, evening and night
for the most affected sensitive zones or sensitive uses. Quantify the contribution of
existing transport noise (road, rail, aircraft), industry/commerce in L Amax, LAeq11hr, LAeq4hr,
LAeq9hr for day evening and night respectively.

5.1 How to determine the rating background level (RBL)

(1) The rating background level (RBL) is the overall single-figure background level representing
each assessment period (day/evening/night) over the whole monitoring period.

(2) The assessment of the rating background level is to comply with the method listed in this
section, unless a detailed justification is made to and accepted by Council, for any departure
from the approved method.

(3) Measure the LA90, 1 hour background sound pressure levels for each hour during the day
(0700-1800), evening (1800-2200) and night (2200-0700) assessment period relevant to the
operating times and days of the development. That is, only those days and assessment periods
that are applicable to the times of operation of the proposed development are required to be
assessed.

(4) Provided that the assessment period represents the typical background noise characteristics
of the site; generally a minimum of 48 hours continuous background measurement is to be
undertaken. Some situations may require further logging where the site experiences a variable
background noise level.

(5) Determine an assessment background level (ABL) for each day (0700-1800), evening (1800-
2200) and night (2200-0700) assessment period, using the tenth percentile method. The ABL is
a measure of background noise (LA90, 1 hour) in the absence of noise from the source. The
tenth percentile method may be determined automatically using a spreadsheet package, or
manually by applying the method in Table 2.

Table 2—Method for determining the tenth percentile

Ste Sort the LA90, 1 hour data in each assessment period in ascending order.
p1

Schedule 6 - Planning Scheme Policies (Noise Impact Assessment) Effective 12 September 2014
Ste Work out the tenth per cent position of the number of samples in the assessment period.
p2 This can be calculated by multiplying the number of samples by 0.1.

Ste Determine the tenth percentile:

p3 If the tenth per cent position (from step 2) is an integer, then the tenth percentile is
determined by taking the arithmetic average of the value at the tenth per cent position and
the value at the next highest position. If the tenth per cent position (from step 2) is not an
integer, then the tenth percentile is the value at the next highest position.
Examples:
For a dataset of size 40, the tenth per cent position is 4 (i.e. 0.1x40). As this is an integer, the
tenth percentile is the average of the values at the 4th position and the 5th position from the
top of the sorted data (from step 1).
For a dataset of size 44, the tenth per cent position is 4.4 (i.e. 0.1x44). As the value is not an
integer, the tenth percentile is the value at the 5th position from the top (from step 1).
(6) Determine the RBL to be used for assessment purposes. This is taken to be the median value
of the corresponding day/evening/night ABLs. For example, for a week’s worth of monitoring,
the evening RBL is the median of the seven evening ABLs – i.e. the fourth highest (or lowest)
value. Where this level is found to be less than 25dB(A), the RBL is to be set to 25dBA. A
practical example is illustrated in Table 3.

Table 3—Example of determining the RBL for 1-hour samples over 5 days
Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5

Meas Ascen Measur Ascendi Measur Ascendi Measur Ascendi Measur Ascendi
ured ding ed ng order ed ng order ed ng order ed ng order
order

7:00 46.5 46.5 45 45 46.5 46 47 47 48 48

8:00 49.5 47.5(1) 47.5 46(1) 48 46.5(1) 49 47(1) 50 48.5(1)

9:00 48.5 47.5 46.5 46 47 46.5 48.5 47.5 49.5 49

10:00 47.5 47.5 46 46.5 46.5 47 47.5 48 49 49

11:00 47.5 48 46.5 46.5 46 48 47 48.5 48.5 49.5

12:00 49 48 48 46.5 48.5 48 49.5 48.5 50 49.5

13:00 49.5 48.5 48.5 46.5 49 48 50.5 49 49.5 49.5

14:00 50.5 49 49.5 47.5 51 48.5 51 49 52 50

15:00 47.5 49.5 46 48 48 48.5 48.5 49.5 51 50

16:00 48 49.5 46.5 48.5 48.5 49 49 50.5 49.5 51

17:00 48 50.5 46.5 49.5 48 51 48 51 49 52

Schedule 6 - Planning Scheme Policies (Noise Impact Assessment) Effective 12 September 2014
ABL 47.5 46 46.5 47(2) 48.5

RBL 47(2)

Note—

(1) Number of ascending order samples is 11. (11 x 0.1=1.1)

(2) Median value of the 5 days of measurements

Note – As 1.1 is not an integer, adopt the next position: 2

6 Noise impact assessment method

(1) The assessment of noise impacts is to comply with the methods listed in this section, unless a
justification is made to and accepted by the Council, for any departure from the approved
methods.

(2) A noise impact assessment report is to include a comprehensive description of the impact
assessment methodology and sufficient detail to enable replication of the methodology and
results of the noise impact assessment by the Council or third parties.

(3) The noise impact assessment of proposed noise sources is to be undertaken using an

appropriate noise prediction model, as relevant to the development.

(4) Noise prediction models are to be calibrated by field measurement verification.

(5) The noise impact assessment of existing noise sources is to be undertaken using noise
monitoring and where appropriate, noise prediction modelling.

6.1 Modifying factor adjustments

(1) Noise impacts at sensitive uses or sensitive zones can be greater where the source noise has
any of the following characteristics:

(a) tonality;

(b) impulsiveness;

(c) modulation;

(d) low-frequency content.

(2) The modifying factor adjustments listed in Table 4 are to be applied to the
measured/predicted source noise level at the receiver before comparison with the noise
criteria, where a source noise contains any of the above characteristics (modifying factors).

(3) A noise impact assessment report is to include a comprehensive description of the modifying
factor adjustments made as part of the noise impact assessment.

(4) The modifying factor corrections should be applied having regard to:

(a) noise from all sources, individually and in combination, that contribute to the total noise;

(b) the site;

(c) the nature of the noise source and its characteristics;

Schedule 6 - Planning Scheme Policies (Noise Impact Assessment) Effective 12 September 2014
 (d) the maximum modifying factor adjustment to be applied to the noise level of the relevant
noise source(s) where the noise contains two or more modifying factors, is 10dB(A).

Table 4—Modifying factor adjustments

Modifying Assessment/ When to apply Adjustment to the measured or Comments
factor measurement predicted source noise level

Tonal One-third If the source is Add 5dB to the relevant one- Narrow-band
noise octave or known to be tonal third octave band. frequency
narrow band or if the level of a Maximum of 5dB total analysis may
analysis one-third octave adjustment. be required to
band exceeds the precisely
If the source is known to be tonal
level of the detect
and one-third octave data is not
adjacent bands by occurrence.
available for a proposed source,
5dB or more
apply a 5dB adjustment.

Impulsive Fast response If difference in Apply difference in measured

noise and impulse maximum noise levels as the correction, up to a
response levels between maximum of 5dB.
fast response and
impulse response
is greater than 2dB

Modulatin Subjectively Level varies by Add 5dB

g noise assessed more than 5dB
and has a rhythmic
characteristic

Fluctuating C weighted If the low- Add 5dB All noise

low- overall level frequency noise is energy down
frequency fluctuating +/- 5dB to 10Hz
noise (i.e. 10dB(C) should be
overall difference considered.
between LC10 and
LC90 using fast
response)

6.2 Determining LAmax level

(1) As operational LAmax levels can vary, the LAmax is considered by assessing:

(a) the arithmetic average of the maximum levels from up to 15 single events over a given
night-time period, 10pm to 7am;

(b) the absolute highest LAmax level.

(2) LAmax assessment only applies to ‘specified noise sources’ which are defined as:

(a) impact noises;

(b) hammering;

Schedule 6 - Planning Scheme Policies (Noise Impact Assessment) Effective 12 September 2014
 (c) loading/unloading;

(d) dropping items;

(e) beepers, alarms, bells, phones, sirens;

(f) power tools;

(g) valve releases;

(h) air brakes;

(i) door slamming.

Note—People noise and vehicle pass-by noise (engine, exhaust, induction, tyres) are specifically excluded.

6.3 Low-frequency noise

(1) The C-weighting offers a more appropriate method to assess low-frequency noise. All energy
down to 10Hz should be considered. Low-frequency sources are typically located in power
stations, industrial sites, extractive industries and wind farms. The low-frequency C-weighted
noise is to be adjusted in the same manner as the A-weighted level, as per section 6.1. That is,
tonal, impulsive, modulating and fluctuating noise adjustments are to be applied.

(2) A low-frequency assessment may often not be required where the noise being considered
does not involve a significant contribution from low frequencies. Some specific source
examples where low frequency should be considered are:

(a) gas turbines;

(b) boilers;

(c) forced draft and induced draft fans;

(d) shakers on hoppers;

(e) vibratory screens;

(f) wind farms;

(g) power stations, generators;

(h) night clubs or uses that provide amplified music.

6.4 Vibration

(1) The descriptors used to define vibration are not the same as those used to describe sound.
Vibration can generally be described in terms of acceleration, velocity or displacement. The
most commonly used descriptor for vibration for structural damage and human comfort is
velocity.

(2) AS 2187.2—Explosives—Storage Transport and Use, Part 2 Use of Explosives describes the
commonly used damage criteria for buildings in terms of peak particle velocity (PPV) in mm/s.
The peak particle velocity is the maximum vector sum of three time synchronised velocity
components and it is measured at the ground surface.

Schedule 6 - Planning Scheme Policies (Noise Impact Assessment) Effective 12 September 2014
(3) Detailed analysis is outlined in BS 7385-2 : 1993 Evaluation and measurement for vibration in
buildings, Guide to damage levels from groundborne vibration which provides frequency
range vibration levels. Building damage is more closely related to stress, which is related to
displacement. Constant peak to peak displacement levels at differing frequencies translate to
vibration velocity, which increases with frequency. Because of this, the criterion allows greater
vibration velocity levels at higher frequency.

(4) Cosmetic building damage from sources such as piling, construction activities, machinery or
road/rail traffic is also covered in BS 7385-2 : 1993 Evaluation and measurement for vibration
in buildings, Guide to damage levels from groundborne vibration. The criteria for cosmetic
damage are component levels, not PPV. Values referred to are at the base of the building.

(5) For certain buildings, such as those of historical value or those containing equipment that is
sensitive to vibration, vibration levels lower than those shown in the criteria may be required.

(6) For human vibration comfort level assessment in buildings, BS 6472 : 1992 Guide to evaluation
of human exposure to vibration in buildings (1 to 80 Hz) describes suggested vibration levels in
buildings for human comfort.

(7) Continuous vibration continues uninterrupted for a defined period (usually throughout
daytime and/or night-time). Continuous vibration includes: machinery, steady road traffic and
continuous construction activity (such as tunnel boring).

(8) Impulsive vibration is a rapid build-up to a peak followed by a damped decay that may involve
several cycles of vibration (depending on frequency and damping). It can also consist of a
sudden application of several cycles at approximately the same amplitude, providing that the
duration is short, typically less than 2 seconds. Impulsive vibration includes: infrequent
activities that create up to 3 distinct vibration events per day or night period, e.g. dropping of
heavy equipment, occasional loading and unloading.

(9) Intermittent vibration is interrupted periods of continuous vibration or repeated periods of

impulsive vibration, or continuous vibration that varies significantly in magnitude. Intermittent
vibration includes: trains, intermittent construction activity, passing heavy vehicles, forging
machines, impact pile driving, jack hammers. Where the number of events is 3 or fewer per
day or night period, these can be assessed against impulsive criteria.

(10) There is a low probability of adverse comment or disturbance to building occupants at

vibration values below the preferred criteria. Activities should be designed to meet the
preferred values where an area is not already exposed to vibration. Where all reasonable and
practical measures have been applied, values up to the maximum value may be used if they
can be justified, e.g. temporary disturbances and infrequent events of short term duration. For
values beyond the maximum value, a management plan in accordance with the Management
plans planning scheme policy is required.

7 Comparison to noise criteria and where noise criteria are exceeded

(1) Where the noise criteria are forecast to be exceeded after the application of noise impact
control measures (as per section 4), the noise impact assessment report is to include the
following:

(a) Justification that there are no technically and economically feasible noise impact control
measures that can be applied to the development to enable achievement of the criteria.
Schedule 6 - Planning Scheme Policies (Noise Impact Assessment) Effective 12 September 2014
 (b) A description of the predicted nature and scale of the noise impact on sensitive uses in
accordance with the methodologies in this section, to enable an analysis of impact versus
benefit of the development.

(2) In certain circumstances it may be demonstrated that the effect of the proposed noise source
is minimal where the existing environment has a more significant impact and has similar
characteristics (e.g. where the development may produce occasional vehicle noise at a
location where the sensitive use is exposed to existing frequent road traffic noise)

(3) The potential impact resulting from the inability to achieve the noise criteria is to be assessed
by comparing:

(a) the relationship between community annoyance and noise metrics curves for aircraft,
road traffic, rail traffic and industrial noise shown in Figure a;

(b) the relationship between sleep awakenings and internal night time noise level shown
in Figure b.

(4) The predicted community annoyance from the existing acoustic environment (for industry,
aircraft, road and rail noise) can be determined from Figure a. This is to be compared to the
predicted community annoyance from the proposed new noise sources, expressed as the
percentage of the community highly annoyed, which is to be determined using the following
formulas:

 Aircraft %HA = –9.199 × 10–5 (DENL – 42)3 + 3.932 × 10–2 (DENL–42)2 + 0.2939 (DENL – 42)
 Road traffic %HA = 9.868 × 10–4 (DENL – 42)3 – 1.436 × 10–2 (DENL–42)2 + 0.5118 (DENL – 42)
 Railways %HA = 7.239 × 10–4 (DENL – 42)3 – 7.851 × 10–3 (DENL–42)2 + 0.1695 (DENL – 42)
 Industry %HA = 36.307 - 1.886 DENL + 0.02523 DENL 2
 DENL = 10 log [(12/24) × 10LD/10+ (4/24) × 10(LE+5)/10 + (8/24) × 10(LN+10)/10]

Note—

 %HA is the per cent of people highly annoyed by the noise.

 LD is the A-weighted long-term LAeq for the day (0700–1900 hr) determined over the year at the most exposed facade.

 LE is the A-weighted long-term LAeq for the evening (1900–2300 hr) determined over the year at the most exposed facade.

 LN is the A-weighted long-term LAeq for the night (2300–0700 hr) determined over the year at the most exposed facade.

 The day, evening and night time periods for this descriptor are based on the European Union (EU) metric, this is different from
the day, evening and night time periods used in this planning scheme policy.

 DENL is the 'day, evening, night level' defined in terms of averaged L Aeq for the day, evening and night, and applies a +5dB
adjustment for evening and +10dB adjustment for night.

Schedule 6 - Planning Scheme Policies (Noise Impact Assessment) Effective 12 September 2014
(5) Where the development involves a proposed sensitive use in an existing noisy environment,
sleep awakenings (the worst case number of noise-induced awakenings per person per year)
are to be estimated using the following formula and compared to Figure b:

Worst case number of noise-induced awakenings per person per year

Note—Lnight_i is the internal night noise indicator, which describes the annoyance due to environmental noise, based on the LAeq measured
over the night period 23.00 to 07.00 averaged over 1 year.

Note—When using this method for the purpose of facade design for new sensitive uses, windows can be assumed to be
closed.

Schedule 6 - Planning Scheme Policies (Noise Impact Assessment) Effective 12 September 2014
Schedule 6 - Planning Scheme Policies (Noise Impact Assessment) Effective 12 September 2014