Appendix D Construction and Operation Noise and Vibration

Review of Environmental Factors Summer Hill Zone Substation ◄

REF - 202 NIG - 12332 WBS – SJ-06064 v1.0 30 Jan 2018 UNCLASSIFIEDPage 118 of 122

Appendix D Construction and Operation Noise and Vibration Impact Assessments

Private and confidential

REPORT 150558R1

Revision 0

Proposed Summer Hill Zone Substation

Construction and Operational

Noise & Vibration Impact Assessment

PREPARED FOR:

Ausgrid

Building 2, 25-27 Pomeroy Street

Homebush NSW 2140

20 September 2016

Rodney Stevens Acoustics Report Number 150558R1 Revision 0

Construction and Operational Noise & Vibration Impact Assessment Proposed Summer Hill Zone Substation

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Proposed Summer Hill Zone Substation

Construction and Operational

Noise & Vibration Impact Assessment

PREPARED BY:

Rodney Stevens Acoustics Pty Ltd

Telephone: 61 2 9943 5057 Facsimile 61 2 9475 1019 Email: [email protected] Web: www.rodneystevensacoustics.com.au

DISCLAIMER

Reports produced by Rodney Stevens Acoustics Pty Ltd are prepared for a particular Client’s objective and are based on a specific scope, conditions and limitations, as agreed between Rodney Stevens Acoustics and the Client. Information and/or report(s) prepared by Rodney Stevens Acoustics may not be suitable for uses other than the original intended objective. No parties other than the Client should use any information and/or report(s) without first conferring with Rodney Stevens Acoustics.

The information and/or report(s) prepared by Rodney Stevens Acoustics should not be reproduced, presented or reviewed except in full. Before passing on to a third party any information and/or report(s) prepared by Rodney Stevens Acoustics, the Client is to fully inform the third party of the objective and scope and any limitations and conditions, including any other relevant information which applies to the material prepared by Rodney Stevens Acoustics. It is the responsibility of any third party to confirm whether information and/or report(s) prepared for others by Rodney Stevens Acoustics are suitable for their specific objectives.

DOCUMENT CONTROL

Reference Status Date Prepared Checked Authorised

150558R1 Revision 0 20 September 2016 Raymond Sim Rodney Stevens Rodney Stevens

mailto:[email protected]



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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 INTRODUCTION 5

1.1 Overview 5

1.2 Objectives 5

1.3 Scope 5

1.4 Terminology 6

2 PROJECT DESCRIPTION 7

2.1 Site Description 7

2.2 Proposed New Zone Substation 7

3 EXISTING NOISE ENVIRONMENT 10

3.1 Continuous Unattended Monitoring 10

3.2 Continuous Unattended Noise Monitoring Results 10

4 NOISE AND VIBRATION OBJECTIVES 11

4.1 Overview 11

4.2 Construction Noise Management Levels 11

4.2.1 Sleep Disturbance 12

4.3 Construction Vibration Management Levels 13

5 OPERATIONAL NOISE OBJECTIVES 14

6 CONSTRUCTION NOISE AND VIBRATION ASSESSMENT 16

6.1 Construction Noise Impact Assessment 16

6.1.1 Construction Plant Sound Power Levels 16

6.1.2 Noise Assessment Methodology 16

6.1.3 Predicted Construction Noise Impacts 17

6.1.4 Discussions of Construction Noise Impacts 19

6.2 Construction Road Traffic Noise Impacts 19

6.3 Construction Vibration Assessment 20

6.3.1 Vibration Intensive Equipment 20

6.3.2 Safe Working Distances for Sensitive Receivers 20

7 RECOMMENDED CONSTRUCTION NOISE AND VIBRATION MANAGEMENT AND MITIGATION22

7.1 Identification of noise and vibration sensitive receivers 22

7.2 Construction noise and vibration management 22

7.3 Auditing and monitoring of construction works 23

7.3.1 Measurement of construction noise 24

7.3.2 Ground Vibration Monitoring 24

7.4 Non-compliance / complaint response 24

8 OPERATIONAL NOISE ASSESSMENT 26

8.1 Operational Noise Impact Assessment Methodology 26

8.2 Predicted Operational Noise Impacts 26

8.3 Discussions of Operational Noise Impacts 27

8.4 Noise Contour Isopleth Map 27



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8.5 Operational Noise Control Recommendation 28

8.5.1 Option 1 28

8.5.2 Option 2 29

8.6 Predicted Operational Noise Impact with Noise Control 29

8.7 Discussions of Operational Noise Impacts with Additional Noise Control 29

8.8 Noise Contour Isopleth Map with Additional Noise Control 29

9 CONCLUSION 31

10 DISCLOSURE 31

Table 2-1 Nearest Representative Residential Receivers 7

Table 3-1 Continuous Unattended Noise Logging Results 10

Table 4-1 Construction Airborne Noise Management Levels For Residential Receivers (ICNG) 11

Table 4-2 Adopted Construction Noise Management Levels for Residential Receivers 12

Table 4-3 Adopted Vibration Construction Goals 13

Table 5-1 Criteria for Operational Noise Emissions to Sensitive Receivers 14

Table 6-1 Construction plant and equipment sound power levels 16

Table 6-2 Predicted LAeq Construction Noise Emission Levels 18

Table 6-3 Recommended Safe Working Distances for Vibration Intensive Plant 20

Table 8-1 Predicted LAeq(15 minutes) Transformers Operational Noise Impacts 26

Table 8-2 Predicted LAeq(15 minutes) Transformers Operational Noise Impacts with Additional Noise Control29

Figure 2-1 Project Site and Surrounding Environment 8

Figure 2-2 Proposed Summer Hill Zone Substation 9

Figure 8-1 Operational Noise Contour Isopleth Map 27

Figure 8-2 Acoustic Louvres at Northern Facade of Transformer Bays 28

Figure 8-3 Location of Recommended Noise Wall 28

Figure 8-4 Operational Noise Contour Isopleth Map 30



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1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Overview

Rodney Stevens Acoustics Pty Ltd (RSA) has been commissioned by Ausgrid to assess the potential construction and operational noise and vibration impacts of the proposed Summer Hill Zone Substation located at the corner of Old Canterbury Road and James Street in Summer Hill. This new zone substation will replace the existing substation (known as Dulwich Hill Zone Substation) located at 230 Old Canterbury Road, Summer Hill.

This construction and operational noise & vibration impact assessment has been undertaken in accordance with the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Interim Construction Noise Guideline (ICNG, 2009) and Assessing Vibration: a technical guideline (AVTG, 2006), Road Noise Policy (RNP, 2011) and NSW Industrial Noise Policy (INP, 2000). This report will be used by Ausgrid in the Review of Environmental Factors for the project under Part 5 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, 1979.

1.2 Objectives

The objectives of this noise and vibration assessment were to:

Provide an assessment of potential construction and operational noise and vibration levels from the proposed Summer Hill Zone Substation.

As required, recommend management and mitigation measures to minimise construction and operational noise & vibration impacts and preserve acoustic amenity in accordance with adopted acoustic guidelines.

1.3 Scope

The scope of works for this study was to undertake an assessment of potential construction and operational noise & vibration impacts associated with the project, the assessment included:

Identification of potentially affected receivers.

A baseline noise study incorporating unattended noise monitoring at the nearest potentially affected existing receivers.

Establishment of project specific construction and operational noise & vibration objectives.

Undertake predictions of construction activities noise & vibration impacts at the nearest potentially affected receivers.

Assessment of vibration impacts for proposed construction activity.

Establish a site-specific computational noise model and undertake predictive modelling of operational noise impacts generated by the proposed transformers.

Recommendation of noise & vibration control measures and management practises where adopted construction and operational noise design objectives are likely to be exceeded.



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1.4 Terminology

Specific acoustic terminology is used in this report. An explanation of common acoustic terms is provided in Appendix A.



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2 PROJECT DESCRIPTION

2.1 Site Description

The proposed Summer Hill Zone Substation is to be located at the corner of Old Canterbury Road and James Street in Summer Hill as shown in Figure 2.1. The site of the Zone Substation is currently occupied by residential premises, which is 14A and 14B James Street and 238 and 240 Old Canterbury Road, immediately adjacent to the existing substation site. The residential premises are currently owned by Ausgrid.

The project site is bordered by the existing Dulwich Hill zone substation to the north, Old Canterbury Road to the east, James Street to the south and a disused Ausgrid depot to the west. The nearest sensitive receivers are surrounding nearby residential receivers which have been identified and are presented in Table 2-1.

Table 2-1 Nearest Representative Residential Receivers

Receiver Address Description

R1 10 James Street, Summer Hill Single storey residence to the west of the project site

R2 14 Herbert Street, Summer Hill Single storey residence to the north-west of the project site. Representative receiver of residences at 14 to 20 Herbert Street

R3 10 Herbert Street, Summer Hill Single storey residence to the north of the project site. Representative receiver of residences at 8 to 12 Herbert Street

R4 228A Old Canterbury Road, Summer Hill

Single storey residence to the north of the project site

R5 235 Old Canterbury Road, Summer Hill

Two storey residence to the east of the project site. Representative receiver of residences at 227-241 Old Canterbury Road

R6 254 Old Canterbury Road, Summer Hill

Single storey residence to the south of the project site

The noise environment at the project site is characterised by road traffic on Old Canterbury Road. The site and its surrounding environs are shown in Figure 2-1. Nearest receiver points to the project site have also been identified and indicated in Figure 2-1.

2.2 Proposed New Zone Substation

Ausgrid has proposed to construct, maintain and operate a new zone substation at the corner of Old Canterbury Road and James Street in Summer Hill. All construction works required to complete the proposal will be undertaken during EPA’s standard daytime construction hours of 7:00 am – 6:00 pm Monday to Friday and 8:00 am – 1:00 pm Saturday only. Works outside of the standard day time construction hours will only be undertaken with required approvals.

The construction program is to include the following key work stages and potential noise and ground vibration generating activity:

Demolition of existing residential buildings.

Excavation of the top soil and bedrock to a 3 metre depth for a new cable basement.

Construction of 3 transformer bays and the installation of 3 transformers and the construction and installation of all other associated plant and equipment as shown in Figure 2-2.

The construction phases will include site clearance, foundation preparation and infrastructure installation. It is our understanding that the construction programme is proposed to be more than 3 weeks in duration.



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Figure 2-1 Project Site and Surrounding Environment

Image courtesy of Near Map © 2016

Noise Logger Location

Project Site

R1

R2 R3

R4

R5 R6



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Figure 2-2 Proposed Summer Hill Zone Substation



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3 EXISTING NOISE ENVIRONMENT

A baseline survey of existing ambient noise levels has been undertaken in the study area to characterise the background noise environment at nearest potential noise affected receivers and establish representative construction and operational noise management levels for the project.

3.1 Continuous Unattended Monitoring

In order to characterise the existing acoustical environment of the area unattended noise monitoring was conducted between the dates of Friday 11 December and Friday 18 December 2015 at the south-west corner of the project site as shown in Figure 2-1. Transformer noise from the existing Dulwich Hill Zone Substation was not audible at the logger location at the time of monitoring.

Logger location was selected with consideration to other noise sources which may influence readings, security issues for noise monitoring equipment and gaining permission for access from landowners.

Instrumentation for the survey comprised of one RION NL-42 environmental noise logger (serial number 546394) fitted with microphone windshields. Calibration of the logger was checked prior to and following measurements. Drift in calibration did not exceed ±0.5 dB(A). All equipment carried appropriate and current NATA (or manufacturer) calibration certificates.

Measured data has been filtered to remove data measured during adverse weather conditions upon consultation with historical weather reports provided by the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM).

The logger determines LA1, LA10, LA90 and LAeq levels of the ambient noise. LA1, LA10, LA90 are the levels exceeded for 1%, 10% and 90% of the sample time respectively (see Glossary for definitions in Appendix A).

3.2 Continuous Unattended Noise Monitoring Results

The results of the noise monitoring have been processed in accordance with the procedures contained in the NSW Industrial Noise Policy (INP) so as to establish representative noise levels from all noise sources in the area at the nearby receivers.

A summary of the unattended continuous noise monitoring, performed during the INP defined time periods is presented in Table 3-1. Detailed results at the monitoring location are presented in graphical format in Appendix B. The graphs show measured values of LA1, LA10, LA90 and LAeq for each 15-minute monitoring period.

Table 3-1 Continuous Unattended Noise Logging Results

Location Measurement Descriptor

Measured Noise Level – dB(A) re 20 µPa

Daytime 7.00 am - 6.00 pm

Evening 6.00 pm - 10.00 pm

Night-time 10.00 pm - 7.00 am

Noise Logger at South-West Corner of Project Site

LAeq 61 60 53

RBL (Background) 46 45 38

Notes: All values expressed as dB(A) and rounded to nearest 1 dB(A);

LAeq Equivalent continuous (energy average) A-weighted sound pressure level. It is defined as the steady sound level that contains the same amount of acoustic energy as the corresponding time-varying sound.

LA90 Noise level present for 90% of time (background level). The average minimum background sound level (in the absence of the source under consideration).

Measured long term noise levels of 46 dB(A) LA90 daytime, 45 dB(A) LA90 evening and 38 dB(A) LA90 night-time are considered to be representative of the existing background noise levels at the surrounding residential receivers.

The results of the continuous unattended noise monitoring shows levels typical of a medium density residential noise environment with high daytime and evening noise levels dominated by road traffic. Informed by site observations during the installation of the noise logger, daytime noise levels are likely to be influenced by surrounding road traffic on Old Canterbury Road.



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4 NOISE AND VIBRATION OBJECTIVES

4.1 Overview

The Protection of the Environment Operations Act, 1997 (POEO Act) regulates noise generation and prohibits the generation of “offensive noise” as defined under the Act.

In addition to the regulatory requirements under the POEO Act, the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) provides guidelines regarding noise criteria and controls.

4.2 Construction Noise Management Levels

Construction noise is managed in accordance with the EPA Interim Construction Noise Guideline (ICNG, 2009) which provides management objectives for construction noise at non-residential land uses. The ICNG airborne noise goals are to be applied to assess noise impacts and determine requirement for the reasonable and feasible management of construction noise to minimise potential for disturbance.

Table 4-1 details the construction noise management levels for residential noise sensitive receivers developed in accordance with ICNG.

Table 4-1 Construction Airborne Noise Management Levels For Residential Receivers (ICNG)

Time of Day Noise Management Level. LAeq dB(A)

How to Apply

Recommended

standard hours (SH):

Monday to Friday 7 am to 6 pm

Saturday 8 am to 1 pm

No work on Sundays or

public holidays

Noise affected

Rating Background Level (RBL) + 10 dB(A)

The noise affected level represents the point above which there may be some community reaction to noise.

Where the predicted or measured LAeq (15 min) is greater than the noise affected level, the proponent should apply all feasible and reasonable work practices to meet the noise affected level.

The proponent should also inform all potentially impacted residents of the nature of works to be carried out, the expected noise levels and duration, as well as contact details.

Highly noise affected

75 dB(A)

The highly noise affected level represents the point above which there may be strong community reaction to noise.

Where noise is above this level, the relevant authority (consent, determining or regulatory) may require respite periods by restricting the hours that the very noisy activities can occur, taking into account:

times identified by the community when they are less sensitive to noise (such as before and after school for works near schools, or mid-morning or mid-afternoon for works near residences if the community is prepared to accept a longer period of construction in exchange for restrictions on construction times.

Outside recommended

standard hours (OOH) - All other times including Public Holidays

Noise affected

Rating Background Level (RBL) + 5 dB(A)

A strong justification would typically be required for works outside the recommended standard hours.

The proponent should apply all feasible and reasonable work practices to meet the noise affected level.

Where all feasible and reasonable practices have been applied and noise is more than 5 dB(A) above the noise affected level, the proponent should negotiate with the community.



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For guidance on negotiating agreements see section 7.2.2 of the ICNG.

Site specific LAeq construction noise management levels in Table 4-2 have been established adopting measured existing baseline LA90 noise levels (Rating Background Level, RBL) and the ICNG corrections for the time of construction work.

Table 4-2 Adopted Construction Noise Management Levels for Residential Receivers

Residential Receivers

Construction Noise Management Level LAeq,(15min) - dB(A)

Standard Hours (SH) Out-of-Hours (OOH)

Daytime

7.00am – 6.00 pm

Daytime

7.00am – 6.00 pm

Evening

6.00pm – 10.00pm

Night

10.00pm – 7.00am

Surrounding Residences 56 51 50 43

4.2.1 Sleep Disturbance

Where construction noise works are required during the night time period the ‘Application Notes - NSW Industrial Noise Policy’ guidance for sleep disturbance or sleep arousal would be applied to assess the proposed works. The EPA’s Application Notes states the following:

‘EPA reviewed research on sleep disturbance in the NSW Environmental Criteria for Road Traffic Noise (ECRTN) (1999). This review concluded that the range of results is sufficiently diverse that it was not reasonable to issue new noise criteria for sleep disturbance.

From the research, EPA recognised that current sleep disturbance criterion of an LA1, (1 minute) not exceeding the LA90, (15 minute) by more than 15 dB(A) is not ideal. Nevertheless, as there is insufficient evidence to determine what should replace it, EPA will continue to use it as a guide to identify the likelihood of sleep disturbance. This means that where the criterion is met, sleep disturbance is not likely, but where it is not met, a more detailed analysis is required.

The detailed analysis should cover the maximum noise level or LA1, (1 minute), that is, the extent to which the maximum noise level exceeds the background level and the number of times this happens during the night-time period. Some guidance on possible impact is contained in the review of research results in the appendices to the ECRTN. Other factors that may be important in assessing the extent of impacts on sleep include:

How often high noise events will occur?

Time of day (normally between 10 pm and 7 am).

Whether there are times of day when there is a clear change in the noise environment (such as during early morning shoulder periods).

The LA1, (1 minute) descriptor is meant to represent a maximum noise level measured under ‘fast’ time response. EPA will accept analysis based on either LA1, (1 minute) or LAmax’

Sleep disturbance and sleep arousal are subjective responses varying for individuals; with reference to the EPA guidance, potential for internal disturbance from construction noise is expected to be minimised where construction noise levels are within the night time RBL (LA90) + 15 dB construction noise management levels. Therefore, the sleep disturbance noise criterion for the surrounding residential areas is:

(38 dB(A) LA90 + 15 dB(A) =) 53 dB(A).

That said, as construction activities will only occur during daytime periods, the assessment of sleep disturbance at surrounding residences will not be required.



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4.3 Construction Vibration Management Levels

Vibration during construction works is considered an intermittent source associated with two main types of impact; disturbance at receivers and potential architectural/structural damage to buildings. Generally, if disturbance issues are controlled, there is limited potential for structural damage to buildings.

Detailed in Table 4-3, the ICNG guidance adopts the Environmental Noise Management Assessing Vibration: a technical guideline (ENMVA, 2006) for the assessment of human annoyance due to construction vibration. German Standard DIN 4150: Part 3-1999, provides guidelines for evaluating the effects of vibration on structures. Dependent upon the dominant frequency of vibration, assessed in Hertz (Hz), structural vibration limits are established at the foundation of nearest buildings.

Table 4-3 Adopted Vibration Construction Goals

Receiver

Annoyance VDV goal, m/s1.75

Structural PPV goal, mm/s

preferred maximum

Residential 0.2 0.4 5

Workshops (Industrial Premises) 0.8 1.6 20

Note: Structural vibration goals established for < 10 – 100 Hz dominant frequency of vibration.

VDV = vibration dose value; PPV = peak particle velocity.

The ENMVA technical guidance recommends PPV vibration objectives at the foundation of nearest buildings for the assessment of structural vibration impacts. Specific structural criteria are based on the dominant frequency of vibration, assessed in Hertz (Hz);

5 mm/s (dominant frequency <10 Hz)

5-15 mm/s (10-50 Hz), and

15-20 mm/s (50-100 Hz).



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5 OPERATIONAL NOISE OBJECTIVES

The noise limits for the operational noise emissions from the proposed Zone Substation upgrade are derived from the EPA’s NSW Industrial Noise Policy (INP). The INP provides criteria for the assessment of noise impacts associated with Industrial activities. It aims to balance the need for industrial activity with the desire for quiet within the community.

The noise emission from any industrial activity should be controlled to avoid impacting upon the acoustic amenity of nearby receivers. Responsibility for the control of noise emission in New South Wales is vested in Local Government and the EPA.

The EPA oversees the INP, released in January 2000 which provides a framework and process for deriving noise criteria. The INP criteria for industrial noise sources (eg mechanical plant) have two components:

Controlling the intrusive noise impacts for residents and other sensitive receivers in the short-term; and

Maintaining noise level amenity for particular land uses for residents and sensitive receivers in other land uses.

Assessing Intrusiveness

For assessing intrusiveness, the background noise generally needs to be measured. The intrusiveness criterion essentially means that the equivalent continuous noise level (LAeq) over any 15 minute period, of the source should not be more than 5 dB(A) above the measured Rated Background Level (RBL).

Assessing Amenity

The amenity criterion is based on land use and associated activities (and their sensitivity to noise emission). The cumulative effect of noise from industrial sources needs to be considered in assessing the impact. The criteria relate only to other industrial-type noise sources and do not include road, rail or community noise. The existing noise level from industry is measured. If it approaches the criterion, then noise levels from new industrial-type noise sources, (including air-conditioning plant) need to be designed so that the cumulative effect does not produce total noise levels that would significantly exceed the criterion. For areas of high road traffic, there are further considerations that influence the selection of the noise criterion.

Area Classification

The INP classifies the noise environment of the subject area as “Suburban”. The INP characterises the “Suburban” noise environment as an area that:

Has local traffic with characteristically intermittent traffic flows or with some limited commerce or industry.

Decreasing noise levels in the evening period (1800-2200); and.

Evening ambient noise levels defined by the natural environment and infrequent human activity.

Project Specific Criteria

Having defined the area type, the processed results of the unattended noise monitoring have been used to generate project specific noise criteria in accordance with INP principles. The project specific noise levels are the most stringent of the Intrusive and Amenity criteria and are shown in bold in Table 5-1.

Table 5-1 Criteria for Operational Noise Emissions to Sensitive Receivers

Receiver Type Time of Day

Noise Level dB(A) re 20 µPa

ANL1 (period)

Measured RBL LA90(15minute)

2 Measured LAeq(15minute)

INP Criteria

Intrusive Amenity

LAeq(15minute) Criterion for New Sources

LAeq(Period) Criterion for

New Sources3

Residential

Day 55 46 61 51 514

Evening 45 45 60 50 504

Night 40 38 53 43 40



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Note 1: ANL Acceptable Noise Level for a suburban area

Note 2: RBL Rating Background Level

Note 3: Assuming existing noise levels unlikely to decrease

Note 4: Daytime and evening levels affected by road traffic, therefore, amenity criterion is measured LAeq minus 10 dB

The substation will be operational for 24 hours, 7 days a week. Conservative noise objectives, assessed at the external façade of the nearest receivers, have been established; 51 dB(A) LAeq,15min daytime, 50 dB(A) LAeq,15min evening and 40 dB(A) LAeq,15min night time.



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6 CONSTRUCTION NOISE AND VIBRATION ASSESSMENT

An assessment of potential noise impacts has been undertaken for proposed construction works. Where deemed necessary, experience and knowledge of construction practices and standard construction techniques and plant have been applied.

6.1 Construction Noise Impact Assessment

6.1.1 Construction Plant Sound Power Levels

Referencing a construction methodology previously supplied by Ausgrid’s past substation construction project, Table 6-1 details the sound power levels (SWL), of the construction plant and equipment adopted for this assessment.

Table 6-1 Construction plant and equipment sound power levels

Generic construction plant

Source SWL (LAeq) Source SWL (LAeq)

Front end loader 103 12T Vibratory roller 86

Chipper 114 24T Concrete truck 107

Chainsaw 105 Backhoe 88

Agitator 91 20T Truck 102

Front end loader (with breaker)

115 20T excavator 100

Generator 99 Mobile crane (60kW) 98

Continuous Flight Aguer 108 20T Excavator with hammer 115

Jackhammer 107 Power tools 95

Notes: Values expressed as dB(A), to nearest 1 dB(A), source; RSA database and UK DEFRA noise database.

The ICNG lists a number of construction activities which have been proven to be “annoying” and which require to have a 5 dB penalty applied to them. Annoying characteristics may include tones, impulses, low frequency noise and intermittent noise. The ICNG identifies the following proposed activities as being particularly annoying and as such, a +5 dB correction has been incorporated into the noise modelling process for the following activities:

Chainsaw.

Rock Breaking / Cutting.

Rolling / Compacting.

6.1.2 Noise Assessment Methodology

Given the uniform topography in the study area and the separation distances between the construction locations and nearest receivers, construction noise impacts have been predicted by applying Equation 6-1.

Equation 6-1

SPLreceived = SWLsource – 20log(r) – 8

Where; SPL received = construction noise level at the receiver.



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SWL = source sound power level for construction plant.

8 dB = constant applied for loss of acoustic energy from hemi-spherical radiation from noise sources.

All construction plant and equipment have been treated as point noise sources and noise impacts assessed for the worst case 15-minute period, assuming dominant noise generating plant are in cumulative operation. The following assumptions have been made in the calculation of the predicted construction noise impacts:

Construction noise sources have been assumed to be located at the middle of the project site.

Construction noise impacts to industrial and commercial premises have been predicted to the nearest boundaries.

Construction noise impacts to the child care centre have been predicted to the nearest external openings (i.e. windows and doors).

A -10 dB(A) attenuation has been assumed inside child care centre with windows and doors opened.

A -10 dB(A) attenuation has been assumed due to intervening buildings and structures.

The following construction scenarios have been modelled adopting SWL from Table 6-1:

Demolition: 20T Truck, Mobile Crane, Excavator with Hammer, 20T Excavator, Jackhammer, Front End Loader, Power Tools.

Site clearance works: Front End Loader, 20T Excavator, 20T Truck, Chipper, Chainsaw.

Foundation preparation: Continuous Flight Aguer, Backhoe, 20T Truck, 12T Vibratory Roller, 24T Concrete Truck, Agitator, Front End Loader with Breaker, Generator.

Infrastructure installation: Mobile Crane, Generator, 20T Truck.

6.1.3 Predicted Construction Noise Impacts

A summary of the predicted daytime LAeq(15minute) noise levels at the nearest potentially affected receivers in the vicinity of the proposed works is provided in Table 6-2. A comparison with the relevant NMLs also presented.

The predicted noise levels will inevitably depend upon the number of plant items and equipment operating at any one time and their precise location relative to the receiver of interest. A receiver will therefore experience a range of values, representing the variation in construction noise depending upon the location of the particular construction activity and the likelihood of the equipment of interest operating simultaneously.

It is noted that the predictions represent worst-case scenarios, as the predicted noise levels include the cumulative impact from all works occurring at the same time.

It is also noted that the works would not be likely to be continuous for extended periods of time, noise levels would be expected to be lower than the calculated levels.



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Table 6-2 Predicted LAeq Construction Noise Emission Levels

Scenario Receiver

LAeq(15minute) – dB(A)

Predicted Daytime Standard

Hours NML

NML Exceedance

Demolition

R1 – 10 James Street 79

56

23

R2 – 14 Herbert Street 72 16


R4 – 228A Old Canterbury Road 79 23

R5 – 235 Old Canterbury Road 77 21


Site clearing


56

19






Foundation Preparation


56

23






Infrastructure Installation


56

9








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6.1.4 Discussions of Construction Noise Impacts

Demolition

The predicted demolition works noise impacts of up to 82 dB(A) at surrounding residential receivers are in exceedance of the adopted residential daytime NML of 56 dB(A) LAeq, 15min by up to 26 dB(A). The predicted noise impacts are also in exceedance of the “highly noise affected” criterion of 75 dB(A) at all surrounding receivers.

Demolition works noise impact at receiver distances of 300 metres or further are predicted to comply with the adopted residential daytime NML of 56 dB(A) LAeq, 15min.

Site Clearing

The predicted site clearing works noise impacts of up to 78 dB(A) at surrounding residential receivers are in exceedance of the adopted residential daytime NML of 56 dB(A) LAeq, 15min by up to 22 dB(A). The predicted noise impacts are also in exceedance of the “highly noise affected” criterion of 75 dB(A) at receivers R1, R4 and R6.

Site clearing works noise impact at receiver distances of 180 metres or further are predicted to comply with the adopted residential daytime NML of 56 dB(A) LAeq, 15min.

Foundation Preparation

The predicted foundation preparation works noise impacts of up to 81 dB(A) at surrounding residential receivers are in exceedance of the adopted residential daytime NML of 56 dB(A) LAeq, 15min by up to 25 dB(A). The predicted noise impacts are also in exceedance of the “highly noise affected” criterion of 75 dB(A) at receivers R1, R4, R5 and R6.

Foundation preparation works noise impact at receiver distances of 250 metres or further are predicted to comply with the adopted residential daytime NML of 56 dB(A) LAeq, 15min.

Infrastructure Installation

The predicted infrastructure installation works noise impacts of up to 67 dB(A) at surrounding residential receivers are in exceedance of the adopted residential daytime NML of 56 dB(A) LAeq, 15min by up to 11 dB(A). The predicted noise impacts comply of the “highly noise affected” criterion of 75 dB(A) at all surrounding receivers.

Infrastructure installation works noise impact at receiver at distances of 50 metres or further are predicted to comply with the adopted residential daytime NML of 56 dB(A) LAeq, 15min.

6.2 Construction Road Traffic Noise Impacts

During the proposed construction works, light and heavy construction vehicles will enter and exit the site via Old Canterbury Road.

Construction road traffic should be managed to, where feasible, not result in received road traffic noise levels of greater than 60 dB(A) LAeq,15hr during daytime or where existing road traffic noise is >60 dB(A) LAeq,15hr not increase existing road traffic by >2 dB(A).

Based on existing ambient noise levels of 61 dB(A) LAeq,15hr daytime measured during the unattended noise survey at the project site; anticipated worse case construction vehicle movements of 4-5 heavy vehicles per hour is not expected to influence the existing daytime ambient noise environment.

The worst case hourly construction traffic movements are not expected to result in road traffic noise impacts to exceed the 60 dB(A) criterion or increase the existing traffic noise levels by >2 dB(A).



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6.3 Construction Vibration Assessment

6.3.1 Vibration Intensive Equipment

The major potential sources of vibration from the proposed construction activities are during rock breaking and compacting.

6.3.2 Safe Working Distances for Sensitive Receivers

As a guide, safe working distances for typical items of vibration intensive plant are listed in Table 6-3. The safe working distances are quoted for both “cosmetic” damage (refer British Standard BS 7385) and human comfort (refer to British Standard BS 6472). The safe working distances must be complied with at all times, unless otherwise approved by the relevant authority.

Table 6-3 Recommended Safe Working Distances for Vibration Intensive Plant

Plant Item Rating/Description

Safe Working Distance

Cosmetic Damage (BS7385)

Human Response (EPA Vibration Guideline)

Vibratory Roller

< 50 kN (Typically 1-2 tonnes) 5 m 15 m to 20 m

< 100 kN (Typically 2-4 tonnes) 6 m 20 m



> 300 kN (Typically 13-18 tonnes) 20 m 100 m

< 300 kN (> 18 tonnes) 25 m 100 m

Small Hydraulic Hammer 300 kg – 5 to 12T excavator) 2 m 7 m

Medium Hydraulic Hammer 900 kg – 12 to 18T excavator) 7 m 23 m

Large Hydraulic Hammer (1600 kg – 18 to 34T excavator) 22 m 73 m

Jackhammer Hand held 1 m Avoid contact with structure

Note: Table data reproduced from TfNSW’s Construction Noise Strategy

The safe working distances presented in Table 6-3 are indicative only and will vary depending on the particular item of plant and local geotechnical conditions. They apply to typical buildings under typical geotechnical conditions.

The separation distances between the proposed works and the nearest residential buildings are approximately 15 metres

Cosmetic Damage Assessment

The separation distance(s) between the proposed works and the nearest receivers will typically be sufficient to ensure that the nearby buildings are unlikely to fall within the safe working distances with regard to ‘Cosmetic Damage’ for most of the proposed construction equipment. Based on the separation distance between the proposed works and nearest residential buildings, it is recommended that vibratory roller that is 13 tonnes or less should be used and hydraulic hammer that is 18 tonnes or less should be used.

Attended vibration monitoring or vibration trials should be undertaken when proposed works are within the safe working distances to ensure that levels remain below the criterion. Building condition surveys should also be



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completed both before and after the works at all potentially affected properties to identify existing damage and any project related damage.

Human Comfort Vibration Assessment

In relation to human comfort (response), the safe working distances in Table 6-3 relate to continuous vibration and apply to residential receivers. For most construction activities, vibration emissions are intermittent in nature and for this reason, higher vibration levels, occurring over shorter periods are permitted (refer British Standard BS 6472 1).

Vibration at the nearest receivers is likely to be perceptible at times during the works. Based on the separation distance between the proposed works and nearest residential buildings, it is recommended that vibratory roller that is 2 tonnes or less should be used and hydraulic hammer that is 12 tonnes or less should be used.



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7 RECOMMENDED CONSTRUCTION NOISE AND VIBRATION MANAGEMENT AND MITIGATION

The construction noise assessment for the proposed works at the project site has identified potential exceedances of the adopted construction noise management levels at nearest residential receivers.

The noise and vibration impact potential reported is consistent with peak short-term construction activities undertaken at separation distances of between 15 and 50 metres to existing nearest residential receivers.

Typical vibration generating construction plant operated 15 metres or greater from nearest receivers to the site location is not expected to exceed the adopted conservative disturbance and structural vibration management levels.

This section details pre-construction and construction phase management and mitigation measures designed to reduce and control potential noise and vibration levels to where feasible to achieve the adopted noise and vibration management levels at nearest receivers. The measures recommended have been developed applying the predicted impacts, adjacent receivers and land use, duration of works and potential for works outside of standard construction hours.

The management measures have been informed from guidance provided in the ICNG which promotes principles of best management practice and community notification of likely noise and vibration impacts.

It will be important for Ausgrid to undertake all reasonable and feasible measures to reduce noise impacts and minimise impact potential through programming works to minimise duration and liaise with affected landowners and local communities throughout the construction program.

All Contractors commissioned by Ausgrid to undertaken construction works associated with the Project are recommended to adhere to all noise and vibration management and mitigation measures recommended.

7.1 Identification of noise and vibration sensitive receivers

Based on the predicted airborne noise impacts reported in this NVIA, sensitive receiver communities have been identified the nearby residences along James Street, Herbert Street and Old Canterbury Road.

7.2 Construction noise and vibration management

During the planning and scheduling of construction works, the predicted noise levels should be considered in establishing work site locations, construction techniques and on site practices.

Construction works should adopt Best Management Practice (BMP) and Best Available Technology Economically Achievable (BATEA) practices as addressed in the ICNG. BMP includes factors discussed within this report and encouragement of a project objective to reduce noise emissions. BATEA practices involve incorporating the most advanced and affordable technology to minimise noise emissions. The following principles and proactive noise management measures are to be considered for implementation:

Fixed and mobile construction plant and equipment shall be located to maximise separation distance from nearest noise and vibration sensitive and residential receivers.

Construction plant shall be orientated away from nearest receivers and where feasible be located to take advantage of on-site buildings and structure with potential to impede noise propagation.

Where practical, simultaneous operation of dominant noise generating plant shall be managed to reduce noise impacts, such as operating at different times or increase the distance between the plant.

Where rock breaking is required, alternative construction techniques to impact rock breaking such as pressurised rock splitting techniques should be investigated to minimise requirement for potential high noise generating construction activity.

Where measured construction noise levels at nearest receivers exceed the adopted ICNG construction noise management levels, acoustic screens are to be, where feasible, implemented during all construction works. Acoustic screens may be constructed from either a layer of 10 kg/m2 loaded vinyl (product name Wavebar from Pyrotek Noise Control) or minimum 9 mm thick plywood hoarding. Gaps at joints of the



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acoustic screen are to be sealed by overlapping the loaded vinyl or plywood, or with silicon mastic on the plywood hoarding.

Potential noise impact reduction of up to 6 dB(A) is achievable where acoustic screens are located within 5 metres of the construction works, be at least 1.8 metres in height and provide a solid façade impeding line of sight to nearest receivers – any gaps negate noise reduction performance. Where it is feasible to install 3 metres high screens, noise impact reduction of up to 10 dB(A) is achievable.

Where possible and incompliance with occupational safety and health standards, reversing beepers on trucks would be replaced with low pitch tonal beepers (quackers). Alternatives to reversing beepers include the use of spotters and designing the site to reduce the need for reversing may assist in minimising the use of reversing beepers.

To reduce potential vibration all tracked vehicles are to have rubber pads installed to the tracks.

Ensure that all works comply with the start and finish times.

Based on Table 6-2, construction works are predicted to be impact by levels exceeding 75 dB(A). Where construction noise levels are measured or predicted to exceed 75 dB(A) LAeq, 15 min at nearest residential receivers the following additional noise management measures should be implemented:

o Minimum 1 hour respite periods after 3 hours of continuous work for all noise generating plant such as road cutter, angle grinder and truck operations.

o Apply all on-site noise controls such as low noise plant, screening of all noise generating equipment, generators and switch off idle plant and equipment.

If works are required to be undertaken outside of standard construction hours, the following measures should be implemented:

o Construction works should be programmed to, where feasible and possible, be completed by midnight to avoid the most sensitive period of midnight to 7 am.

o Undertake detailed consultation with potential noise affected residents to inform the proposed works, anticipated impacts and to investigate preferred times for construction works. Community consultation is to be undertaken with consideration to Ausgrid’s community consultation strategy.

As a minimum all residences within 100 metres radius of the project site should be notified of potential construction works at least 2 weeks prior to the commencement of works.

Construction noise and vibration management practices are to be provided to all staff and Contractors and be included during site inductions and daily tool-box talks. The tool-box talks should include as a minimum, the permitted hours of construction work, work site locations, site ingress/egress and the required noise management measures for each construction phase.

7.3 Auditing and monitoring of construction works

This section details the noise and vibration monitoring strategy for construction works during standard construction hours and outside of standard construction hours.

Monitoring of construction noise is recommended to confirm construction noise levels at nearest receivers:

At the commencement of construction works for the verification of predicted construction noise levels and confirm requirement for noise management and mitigation measures.

In response to justified adverse community response or complaint to construction noise and/or vibration.

As a minimum attended noise monitoring should be undertaken at the commencement of construction works at a representative nearest residential receiver.

All noise and vibration monitoring should be undertaken by suitably qualified practitioners with consideration to guidance provided in the ICNG and relevant regulatory and statutory guidelines.



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7.3.1 Measurement of construction noise

To determine the influence of construction noise at a receiver, it is important to, where practical, record a measurement of the construction noise alone or with minimal ambient influence from extraneous sources such as road traffic.

A background noise level measurement should be undertaken, where feasible, at a representative location where construction noise is not a dominant influence or during any period where construction works are not occurring. The background noise level can be applied to quantify potential construction noise influence in measured ambient noise levels.

All measurements should be undertaken for a minimum continuous period of 15 minutes and record the period LAeq, LA90, LA10, LA1 and LAMax noise descriptors. Dependent upon the influence of construction noise the following correction factors may be applied to determine construction noise influence at the measurement location:

Where the construction noise was clearly dominant over background noise during the monitoring period the meter reading is recorded without correction.

Where construction noise was just audible above the background during the monitoring period the meter LAeq reading minus a value of 3 dB will be recorded.

Where the construction noise was inaudible above the background during the monitoring period the meter LAeq the meter reading minus a value of 10 dB will be recorded.

Correction factors are only to be applied where construction noise is a continuous influence during the measurement period.

7.3.2 Ground Vibration Monitoring

Ground borne vibration monitoring is recommended in response to adverse community response or complaint to vibration. The vibration monitoring shall be applied to recommend safe working practices to reduce vibration levels to mitigate potential for future disturbance of structural vibration issues.

The monitoring of ground vibration at nearest potentially affected receivers shall be undertaken applying site specific approaches dependent upon the external/ internal receiver environments. As a minimum ground vibration monitoring is to include and consider the following:

Measurement of VDV and PPV vibration levels for maximum vibration values of all the axis of vibration.

Measurements shall be recorded without the vibration source present to establish a baseline and verify that the any vibration detected is not from an extraneous source.

Monitoring should be avoided where measurements are likely to be influenced by the presence of extraneous vibration sources such as road traffic.

Monitoring transducers should be located at a sufficient distance from any structure so as to avoid undue interference from vibration 'feeding back' from the structure.

The mounting of vibration transducers to vibrating structures or substrate should where feasible comply with Australian Standard AS 2775-2004 Mechanical vibration and shock-Mechanical mounting of accelerometers. The measurement should be to reproduce faithfully the motion of the structure or substrate without introducing additional response.

7.4 Non-compliance / complaint response

Non-conformances for noise and vibration during construction works may include:

Exceedance of adopted receiver specific construction noise management levels; triggering the requirement for noise management measures

Exceedance of airborne highly noise affected objective, 75 dB(A) LAeq,15 min.

Exceedance of annoyance and structural vibration objectives (Section 4).

Justified community complaints relating to noise and vibration.



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The construction works shall be immediately assessed to review operation of noise generating plant, required construction activity and current on and off site noise mitigation measures in place.

Any non-conformances and subsequent corrective actions shall be resolved with consideration to the Ausgrid Community Consultation Strategy. The Environment Manager and Site Supervisor shall determine where corrective action is required and implement necessary mitigation measures.

All adopted noise mitigation measures will be updated in work method statements and identified as part of routine tool-box talks to inform staff of current construction noise and vibration issues and required mitigation measures.

Consistent with the noise mitigation measures presented in this NVIA; examples of corrective actions to be implemented by the Environment Manager include:

Implementing alternative construction methodologies utilising low noise or low vibration generating plant.

Replacing excessively noisy equipment.

Fitting additional acoustic controls, such as acoustic screens, to minimise emissions from machinery.

Increasing separation distance between noise generating plant and nearest sensitive receivers.

Consider respite periods where construction noise impacts include potential tonal, low frequency or impulsive annoying characteristics at nearest receivers.



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8 OPERATIONAL NOISE ASSESSMENT

This section details the assessment of the operational impacts from the proposed Summer Hill Zone Substation. Operational noise impacts predicted at nearest residential receivers have been assessed to the adopted NSW INP noise objectives.

It should be noted that only the transformers have been assessed as part of the operational noise impacts. The AFLC units in the CLC rooms and the equipment in the control room are not considered to adversely impact on surrounding residences as they are fully enclosed in masonry buildings. Hence, the AFLC units and the control room equipment are not assessed in this report.

8.1 Operational Noise Impact Assessment Methodology

Prediction of operational noise impacts from the proposed Summer Hill Zone Substation has been undertaken through the use of the SoundPLAN noise propagation modelling software (Version 7.4). The modelling was based on the following:

Level terrain surrounding the Summer Hill Zone Substation site due to no GIS data available. However, based on site observations the reference level of the project site has been assumed to be on similar level as the surrounding terrain.

Ground coverage in the off-site environment has been assumed to be non-reflective.

The SWL for each transformer has been based on 33 MVA transformer (measured at North Sydney Substation on 2nd August 2016) with sound power level of 83 dB(A) LAeq.

All 3 transformers have been modelled to operate simultaneously with fans turned ON.

The proposed 6 metres high brick walls on 3 sides (south, east and west sides) of each transformer has been modelled.

Residential receivers were established as single storey properties with receiver heights at 1.5 metres above ground.

Receiver points have been modelled on receiver building facades, predicted noise levels include a +2.5 dB(A) façade noise level correction.

CONCAWE industrial standard model parameters were applied for neutral meteorological conditions: relative humidity of 70%, Wind velocity of 0 m/s and atmospheric stability class D.

6 representative residential receivers have been included in the noise model and they are indicated in Figure 2-1.

8.2 Predicted Operational Noise Impacts

Predicted LAeq operational noise impacts of all 3 transformers operating concurrently at the nearest representative residential receivers are detailed in Table 8-1 below.

Table 8-1 Predicted LAeq(15 minutes) Transformers Operational Noise Impacts

Receiver Predicted Noise Impact

LAeq,15min – dB(A)

Compliance with Most Stringent Adopted Operational Noise Criterion

40 dB(A) LAeq? (Yes / No)

R1 – 10 James Street 38 Yes

R2 – 14 Herbert Street 46 No



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R3 – 10 Herbert Street 47 No

R4 – 228A Old Canterbury Road 48 No

R5 – 235 Old Canterbury Road 37 Yes


8.3 Discussions of Operational Noise Impacts

Operational noise impacts of the zone substation due to the 3 transformer operating concurrently have been predicted to comply with the most stringent INP night-time criterion of 40 dB(A) at residential receivers R1 (10 James Street), R5 (235 Old Canterbury Road) and R6 (254 Old Canterbury Road). However, exceedances of the criterion have been predicted at residential receivers R2 (14 Herbert Street), R3 (10 Herbert Street) and R4 (228A Old Canterbury Road).

The noise modelling shows that operational noise of the 3 transformers are attenuated by the proposed 6 metres high noise walls on the 3 sides of each transformer. Hence, operational noise impacts at residences to the south, east and west achieves compliance with the INP criteria. Based on this assessment additional noise control measures will be required.

8.4 Noise Contour Isopleth Map

The operational noise contour isopleth map is presented in Figure 8-1 below.

Figure 8-1 Operational Noise Contour Isopleth Map



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8.5 Operational Noise Control Recommendation

2 noise control options have been provided below to ensure that the transformers operate in a noise compliant manner.

8.5.1 Option 1

In order to ensure that the operation of the zone substation compliance with the INP noise criteria, it is recommended that the top half of the front (northern) facade of the transformer bays be installed with acoustic louvres, as shown in Figure 8-2 below.

In addition to the acoustic louvres, a solid masonry noise wall should be constructed along the northern boundary of the project site as shown in Figure 8-3 below. The recommended the height of the boundary noise wall should be at least 500 mm above the base of the acoustic louvres.

Lastly, the internal walls of the transformer bays should be lined with acoustic dampers such as acoustic blocks.

Figure 8-2 Acoustic Louvres at Northern Facade of Transformer Bays

Figure 8-3 Location of Recommended Noise Wall

Acoustic Louvres

Acoustic Louvres

Acoustic Louvres

Recommended Masonry Noise Wall Location



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8.5.2 Option 2

The other noise control option to attenuate the noise emissions from the transformers is to fully enclosed the transformer bay with masonry walls including the northern facade of the transformer bays. The access doors on the northern facades of the transformer bays are to be solid doors and have an acoustic rating of at least Rw 45. The gaps between the door and door frame should be sealed with full perimeter acoustic seals (Raven RP8 or similar), including drop seals (Raven RP 10 or similar) at the base.

8.6 Predicted Operational Noise Impact with Noise Control

Prediction of operational noise impacts from the proposed Summer Hill Zone Substation with the recommended noise control options has been undertaken through the use of the SoundPLAN noise propagation modelling software (Version 7.4). The modelling was based on the same assumptions as that detailed in Section 8.2.

Predicted LAeq operational noise impacts of all 3 transformers operating concurrently at the nearest representative residential receivers are detailed in Table 8-2 below.

Table 8-2 Predicted LAeq(15 minutes) Transformers Operational Noise Impacts with Additional Noise Control





R1 – 10 James Street 29 Yes

R2 – 14 Herbert Street 35 Yes

R3 – 10 Herbert Street 35 Yes

R4 – 228A Old Canterbury Road 36 Yes



8.7 Discussions of Operational Noise Impacts with Additional Noise Control

Operational noise impacts of the zone substation due to the 3 transformer operating concurrently have been predicted to comply with the most stringent INP night-time criterion of 40 dB(A) at all surrounding residential receivers provided the recommended noise control measures are implemented.

8.8 Noise Contour Isopleth Map with Additional Noise Control

The operational noise contour isopleth map is presented in Figure 8-4 below.



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Figure 8-4 Operational Noise Contour Isopleth Map



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9 CONCLUSION

The noise and vibration impact assessment for the proposed Summer Hill Zone Substation at the corner has been undertaken in accordance with the relevant noise and vibration guidelines.

Based upon the existing background noise environment noise impacts for the proposed construction works at nearest residential receivers have been assessed against the adopted ICNG residential daytime noise management level of 56 dB(A) LAeq, 15min. Operational noise impacts have been assessed to be the established criteria of 51 dB(A) LAeq,15min day, 50 dB(A) LAeq,15min evening and 40 dB(A) LAeq,15min night, as well as the sleep disturbance criterion of 45 dB(A) LA,1min.

The predicted construction noise impacts at nearest residential receivers are in exceedance of the adopted noise management levels. Construction road traffic impacts are not expected to result in an increase in ambient road traffic noise influence within the surrounding environment.

Vibration levels are considered unlikely to exceed structural and human annoyance vibration limits at the nearest residential receivers.

Recommended construction noise and vibration management and mitigation measures have been provided to where feasible and reasonable to achieve ICNG compliance and minimise potential disturbance at nearest receivers during the construction program.

The predicted noise impacts from the operation of the substation, i.e 3 transformers, are within the day, evening and night operational noise criteria at residences to the south, east and west but are in exceedances at residences to the north. Based on the predicted operational noise levels, the recommended noise control measures presented in Section 8.5 this report are to be implemented.

10 DISCLOSURE

This report has been prepared by Rodney Stevens Acoustics Pty Ltd with all reasonable skill, care and diligence, and taking account of the manpower and resources devoted to it by agreement with the client. Information reported herein is based on the interpretation of data collected and has been accepted in good faith as being accurate and valid.

This report is for the exclusive use of Ausgrid. No warranties or guarantees are expressed or should be inferred by any third parties. This report may not be relied upon by other parties without written consent from Rodney Stevens Acoustics.

Rodney Stevens Acoustics disclaims any responsibility to the client and others in respect of any matters outside the agreed scope of the work.



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Appendix A – Acoustic Terminology

A-weighted sound

pressure The human ear is not equally sensitive to sound at different frequencies. People are more sensitive to sound in the range of 1 to 4 kHz (1000 – 4000 vibrations per second) and less sensitive to lower and higher frequency sound. During noise measurement an electronic ‘A-weighting’ frequency

filter is applied to the measured sound level dB(A) to account for these sensitivities. Other frequency weightings (B, C and D) are less commonly used. Sound measured without a filter is denoted as linear weighted dB(linear).

Ambient noise The total noise in a given situation, inclusive of all noise source contributions in the near and far field.

Community

annoyance Includes noise annoyance due to:

character of the noise (e.g. sound pressure level, tonality, impulsiveness, low-frequency content)

character of the environment (e.g. very quiet suburban, suburban, urban, near industry)

miscellaneous circumstances (e.g. noise avoidance possibilities, cognitive noise, unpleasant associations)

human activity being interrupted (e.g. sleep, communicating, reading, working, listening to radio/TV, recreation).

Compliance The process of checking that source noise levels meet with the noise limits in a statutory context.

Cumulative noise

level

The total level of noise from all sources.

Extraneous noise Noise resulting from activities that are not typical to the area. Atypical activities may include construction, and traffic generated by holiday periods and by special events such as concerts or sporting events. Normal daily traffic is not considered to be extraneous.

Feasible and

reasonable

measures

Feasibility relates to engineering considerations and what is practical to build; reasonableness relates to the application of judgement in arriving at a decision, taking into account the following factors:

Noise mitigation benefits (amount of noise reduction provided, number of people protected).

Cost of mitigation (cost of mitigation versus benefit provided).

Community views (aesthetic impacts and community wishes).

Noise levels for affected land uses (existing and future levels, and changes in noise levels).

Impulsiveness Impulsive noise is noise with a high peak of short duration or a sequence of these peaks. Impulsive noise is also considered annoying.

Low frequency Noise containing major components in the low-frequency range (20 to 250 Hz) of the frequency spectrum.



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Noise criteria The general set of non-mandatory noise levels for protecting against intrusive noise (for example, background noise plus 5 dB) and loss of amenity (e.g. noise levels for various land use).

Noise level (goal) A noise level that should be adopted for planning purposes as the highest acceptable noise level for the specific area, land use and time of day.

Noise limits Enforceable noise levels that appear in conditions on consents and licences. The noise limits are based on achievable noise levels, which the proponent has predicted can be met during the environmental assessment. Exceedance of the noise limits can result in the requirement for either the development of noise management plans or legal action.

Performance-

based goals

Goals specified in terms of the outcomes/performance to be achieved, but not in terms of the means of achieving them.

Rating

Background Level

(RBL)

The rating background level is the overall single figure background level representing each day, evening and night time period. The rating background level is the 10th percentile min LA90 noise level measured over all day, evening and night time monitoring periods.

Receptor The noise-sensitive land use at which noise from a development can be heard.

Sleep disturbance Awakenings and disturbance of sleep stages.

Sound and

decibels (dB)

Sound (or noise) is caused by minute changes in atmospheric pressure that are detected by the human ear. The ratio between the quietest noise audible and that which should cause permanent hearing damage is a million times the change in sound pressure. To simplify this range the sound pressures are logarithmically converted to decibels from a reference level of 2 x 10-5 Pa.

The picture below indicates typical noise levels from common noise sources.



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dB is the abbreviation for decibel – a unit of sound measurement. It is equivalent to 10 times the logarithm (to base 10) of the ratio of a given sound pressure to a reference pressure.

Sound power

Level (SWL)

The sound power level of a noise source is the sound energy emitted by the source. Notated as SWL, sound power levels are typically presented in dB(A).

Sound Pressure

Level (SPL)

The level of noise, usually expressed as SPL in dB(A), as measured by a standard sound level meter with a pressure microphone. The sound pressure level in dB(A) gives a close indication of the subjective loudness of the noise.

Statistic noise

levels

Noise levels varying over time (e.g. community noise, traffic noise, construction noise) are described in terms of the statistical exceedance level.

A hypothetical example of A weighted noise levels over a 15 minute measurement period is indicated in the following figure:

Key descriptors:

LAmax Maximum recorded noise level.

LA1 The noise level exceeded for 1% of the 15 minute interval.

LA10 Noise level present for 10% of the 15 minute interval. Commonly referred to the average maximum noise level.

LAeq Equivalent continuous (energy average) A-weighted sound pressure level. It is defined as the steady sound level that contains the same amount of acoustic energy as the corresponding time-varying sound.

LA90 Noise level exceeded for 90% of time (background level). The average minimum background sound level (in the absence of the source under consideration).

Threshold The lowest sound pressure level that produces a detectable response (in an instrument/person).

Tonality Tonal noise contains one or more prominent tones (and characterised by a distinct frequency components) and is considered more annoying. A 2 to 5 dB(A) penalty is typically applied to noise sources with tonal characteristics

40

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Monitoring Period (minutes)

soun

d p

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leve

l dB

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LA

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LA1LAeq



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Appendix B – Baseline Noise Survey Graphs

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Ausgrid Page 38

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Ausgrid Page 39

Appendix C – Instrument Calibration Certificate

Noise and Vibration Consulting and Monitoring Building Acoustics Noise Impact Statements Aircraft, Traffic and Machinery Noise

First Floor, 935 Botany Road, Mascot NSW 2020 Telephone: (02) 9317 0100 Facsimile: (02) 9317 0122 ABN 13 050 039 177

NOISE IMPACT ASSESSMENT

SUMMER HILL ZONE SUBSTATION

PREPARED FOR

RCR Infrastructure

CONTRACT NO C17 7676 REPORT NO EMS17 5310

Noise Impact Assessment Page 2 Contract No C17 7676 RCR Infrastructure Report No EMS17 5310 Cnr of Old Canterbury Road and James Street



TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................... 4

1.1 Project Description ............................................................................................................................................... 4

1.2 Site Location and Surrounding .............................................................................................................................. 4

2. NOISE CRITERIA ...................................................................................................................... 6

2.1 Industrial Noise Policy .......................................................................................................................................... 6

2.2 Background Noise Level ........................................................................................................................................ 6

3. NOISE ASSESSMENT ................................................................................................................ 7

3.1 Predicted Noise Emissions .................................................................................................................................... 7

3.2 Noise Predictions .................................................................................................................................................. 8

4. DISCUSSION ......................................................................................................................... 10

5. CONCLUSION ........................................................................................................................ 10

REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................. 10




PREPARED FOR: PREPARED BY:

RCR Infrastructure Environmental Monitoring Services Pty Ltd

Summer Hill Zone Substation First Floor, 935 Botany Road, Mascot NSW 2020

Email: [email protected] ABN 13 050 039 177

Name: Douglas Goddard Phone No: (02) 9317 0100

Mob No: 0459 855 001 Fax No: (02) 9317 0122

AUTHOR:

Sean Hook Date:

13.11.2017

CHECKED BY:

Edward Krasilovsky Date:

13.11.2017

APPROVED FOR RELEASE BY:

Mark Wagner Date:

13.11.2017

DISCLAIMER

This report is valid only in its entire form. Unauthorised reproduction or copying is strictly prohibited. Environmental Monitoring Services have prepared this document and information herein specifically for the purposes of the client in accordance with general professional consulting standards. The findings of this document apply specifically to this project only and are based partially on advice provided by the client. The scope of works was conducted in accordance with the scope of the project brief only. The document may not contain sufficient information other than for the purposes of the client, and no other warranty is made as to the professional advice in this report.

DOCUMENT CONTROL COPY No: 1 REVISION HISTORY

Revision No Date Issued Reason/ Comments

0 13.11.2017 Version 1

DISTRIBUTION

Copy No Revision No Destination

1 0 RCR Infrastructure

2 0 Environmental Monitoring Services Pty Ltd




1. Introduction 1.1 Project Description

EMS was employed by RCR Infrastructure to provide a Noise Impact Assessment for the proposed Summer Hill Zone Substation, located at the corner of Old Canterbury Road and James Street (the site). The proposed substation will replace the Dulwich Hill Zone Substation, which is located directly adjacent (to the north) of the site at 230 Old Canterbury Road. A previous operational noise impact assessment report for the proposed substation was prepared by Rodney Stevens Acoustics, for Ausgrid, to ensure noise emissions from the transformer bays would be within the Noise Criteria outlined in the EPA’s Industrial Noise Policy. The report detailed that by leaving the northern façade of the transformer bays open with no acoustic attenuation the noise emissions from the transformers would cause the Noise Criteria to be exceeded at the residential properties north of the proposed substation. The Rodney Stevens Acoustics report Proposed Summer Hill Zone Substation Construction and Operational Noise & Vibration Impact Assessment (Report No. 150558R1) gave 2 noise control options to attenuate the noise emissions from the transformers. The purpose of this report is to assess the proposed construction of the noise control option chosen by RCR Infrastructure (fully enclosing the transformer bays with masonry walls) to ensure the Noise Criteria is not exceeded. The noise predictions are the result of modelling, undertaken in an acoustic software program which takes into account the proposed building components for the substation’s transformer bays and noise data from transformers. 1.2 Site Location and Surrounding The proposed site will occupy the properties 14A & 14B James Street and 238 and 240 Old Canterbury Road and has the shape of a rhombus with James Street and Old Canterbury Road as the southern and southern-western borders respectively. To the north of the site is the existing Dulwich Hill substation building and further to the north are residential properties. To the east of the site is a disused Ausgrid depot and beyond this are more residential properties. Figure 1.1 on the following page displays the proposed Summer Hill substation and the surrounding residential noise receivers.




Figure 1.1

Map provided by SIX Maps

Legend proposed site (new boundary) Noise Receiver Locations *Residential receiver street addresses

listed in Table 3.2

Site: Summer Hill Zone

Substation Report No.: EMS17 5310 Contract No.: C17 7676




2. Noise Criteria 2.1 Industrial Noise Policy The EPA’s publication ‘NSW Industrial Noise Policy (INP)’ provides guidelines for noise assessment and noise mitigation strategies for levels that exceed noise thresholds. The main aims for this policy are:

To establish noise criteria that will protect the community from excessive intrusive noise and preserve amenity for specific land uses.

To outline a range of mitigation measures that could be used to minimise noise impacts. 2.2 Background Noise Level As all periods of the day have different background noise levels, the Environment Protection Authority’s (EPA) publication ‘NSW Industrial Noise Policy (INP)’ defines each period for assessment. Below is the time category for the noise assessment extracted from the INP:

Day: the period from 07:00 am to 06:00 pm Monday to Saturday; or 08:00 am to 06:00 pm on Sundays and public holidays.

Evening: the period from 06:00 pm to 10:00 pm.

Night: the remaining periods 10:00 pm to 07:00 am Monday to Saturday; or 10:00 pm to 08:00 am Sundays and public holidays.

EMS adopts the Noise Criteria outlined in the Rodney Stevens Acoustic report (Proposed Summer Hill Zone Substation Construction and Operational Noise & Vibration Impact Assessment - Report No. 150558R1) for the residential receivers surrounding the site. The Noise Criteria was derived from the EPA’s Industrial Noise Policy and unattended noise monitoring carried out by Rodney Steven Acoustics between the 11th – 18th of December 2015 to capture the Rating Background Level and existing LAeq noise levels surrounding the site.

Table 2.1 below displays the Project Specific Noise Levels for the proposed substation.

Table 2.1 – INP Noise Emission Criteria – Residential (External) dB(A)

Location Time of Day INP Criteria

Noise Criteria LAeq,15minute

Surrounding Residential Receivers

Day 51

Evening 50

Night 40




3. Noise Assessment 3.1 Predicted Noise Emissions

The noise prediction calculations for the proposed substation were carried out in the acoustic modelling software SoundPLAN (version 8.0). The noise predictions were based on the following:

All 3 transformers fully enclosed by 6.85m walls constructed from unpainted (acoustic) concrete block with all access doors on the northern façade being solid core and fully sealed around the entire perimeter and base of the door, in accordance with the Operational Noise Control Recommendation (Option 2) from the Rodney Stevens Acoustics report Proposed Summer Hill Zone Substation Construction and Operational Noise & Vibration Impact Assessment (Report No. 150558R1) – sited below.

“ 8.5.2 Option 2

The other noise control option to attenuate the noise emissions from the transformers is to fully enclosed the transformer bay with masonry walls including the northern facade of the transformer bays. The access doors on the northern facades of the transformer bays are to be solid doors and have an acoustic rating of at least Rw 45. The gaps between the door and door frame should be sealed with full perimeter acoustic seals (Raven RP8 or similar), including drop seals (Raven RP 10 or similar) at the base. ”

A Sound Power Level of 83 dB(A) for each of the 3 transformers. It is proposed that 3 decommissioned transformers (2 x 33MVA and 1 x 27.5 MVA), located at North Sydney, are to be relocated to the Summer Hill site. Rodney Stevens Acoustics measured one of the 33MVA transformers to have a SWL of 83 dB(A). Using transformer spectrum data supplied by Ausgrid, distributed for the Greenacre Zone Substation, the proposed Summer Hill transformers were normalised to the Greenacre transformer noise data to give the below spectrum used for the assessment:

Table 3.1 – Octave band Sound Power Level (SWL) of a 33 MVA transformer at 83% load With FANS ON – in dB(A)

63Hz 125Hz 250Hz 500Hz 1KHz 2KHz 4KHz SWL

46 64 79 80 71 62 55 83

Receiver locations were modelled at the building façades (most affected point for night-time Noise Criteria) at a height of 1.5 metres with façade correction implemented (+ 2dB(A)).

Measured dimensions (26th October) of the North Sydney decommissioned transformers that are proposed to be relocated to the Summer Hill substation.




3.2 Noise Predictions

Table 3.2 displays the predicted noise levels at the external surrounding noise receivers from the operational noise of the transformers.

Table 3.2 – Predicted Noise Emissions at surrounding residential receivers (INP Noise Criteria)

Receiver Location

(external)

Noise Source

Assessment Period

INP Noise Criteria

LAeq,15 minute

(dB)

Predicted Noise Emission

Level

LAeq,15 minute (dB)

Complies

10 JamesStreet (west)

3 Transformers Night-time* 40*

32

14 Herbert Street

(north) 38

10 Herbert Street

(north-east) 36

228A Old Canterbury Road (north-east)

37

235 Old Canterbury Road (south-east)

34

254 Old Canterbury Road

(south)

37

*EMS notes that compliance with the Noise Criterion calculated from the night-time period will result in compliance with the less stringent day-time and evening period’s Noise Criteria.




Figure 3.1

Proposed Summer Hill Zone Substation – Ground Floor (Brewster Murray drawing)

Figure 3.2

Acoustic Modelling undertaken in SoundPLAN (Version 8.0)

James Street




4. Discussion It can be seen in Table 3.2 that the acoustic modelling predicts that the noise levels at the dwellings of the surrounding residential receivers are within the day, evening and night-time Noise Criteria. The noise environment was modelled with the existing Dulwich Hill substation absent, as Ausgrid stated in the Summer Hill substation project – Community feedback summary (Nov 2016) that this structure is likely to be knocked down after the load has been transferred to the Summer Hill Zone Substation.

5. Conclusion A Noise Impact Assessment was carried out for the proposed Summer Hill Zone Substation with site address 14A & 14B James Street and 238 and 240 Old Canterbury Road. The Noise Impact Assessment predicted the noise emissions from the operational noise of 3 transformers within transformer bays that have been fully enclosed by masonry walls and having acoustic doors, for external entry, in accordance with the noise control recommendation from a previous acoustic report. The transformer noise emissions were found to be within the EPA’s Noise Criteria at the surrounding residential noise receivers when modelled in an acoustic software based on the proposed construction of the transformer bays. The noise predictions modelled at the surrounding dwellings can be seen in Table 3.2 of this report.

References EPA’s Publication - Industrial Noise Policy M. Long, “Architectural Acoustics,” Second Edition, Academic Press, 2014. D. A. Bies and C. H. Hansen, “Engineering Noise Control: Theory and Practice,” 4th Edition, Spon Press, 2009.

EPA’s Publication - Noise Guide for Local Government (part 2)

Documents

Appendix D Construction and Operation Noise and Vibration