Assessment
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- Last Updated on Friday, 19 October 2012 10:43
Proponents and/or consultants of major projects are often required to consider the impact of environmental noise. The Noise Regulation Branch plays an important role in reviewing these major projects and providing expert technical advice to the EPA.
The following documents may assist and guide proponents or consultants during the assessment process.
EPA Guidance Series
The EPA Guidance series has been written to assist proponents, consultants and the public generally to gain additional information about the EPA's thinking in relation to aspects of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process. The series provides the basis for EPA's evaluation of and advice on development proposals subject to EIA.
Proponents or consultants considering the impact of environmental noise may need to refer to one or more of the EPA Guidance documents detailed below.
EPA Guidance No 3 - Separation Distances between Industrial and Sensitive Land Uses
This document provides advice on the use of generic separation distances (buffers) between industrial and sensitive land uses to avoid conflicts between incompatible land uses.
EPA Guidance No 8 - Environmental Noise (Draft)
This draft guidance deals with the assessment of environmental noise emissions, where those emissions come under the Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997 or other relevant acceptable standards. This guidance may also be used in assessing a proposed residential development which may be impacted by noise emissions from an existing industrial area.
EPA Guidance No 33 - Environmental Guidance for Planning and Development
This draft guidance provides advice on protecting the environment during planning. The Guidance is intended as a significant resource document for local government, State Government agencies, consultants, proponents and the public and includes a section on noise.
Other policies relevant to the assessment of environmental noise
The objectives of the policies below are to protect airports and major transport corridors from unreasonable encroachment by incompatible (noise sensitive) development, to provide for their ongoing development and operation; and minimise the impact of airport and transport operations on existing and future communities with reference to aircraft and transport noise.
Draft State Planning Policy 5.1 - Land Use Planning in the Vicinity of Perth Airport
This policy applies to land in the vicinity of Perth Airport, which is, or may in the future be affected by aircraft noise associated with the movement of aircraft.
Draft State Planning Policy 5.3 - Land Use Planning in the Vicinity of Jandakot Airport
This policy applies to land in the vicinity of Jandakot Airport, which is, or may in the future, be affected by aircraft noise associated with the movement of aircraft.
State Planning Policy 5.4 - Road and Rail Transport Noise and Freight Considerations in Land Use Planning
This policy aims to promote a system in which sustainable land use and transport are mutually compatible. These guidelines apply to proposals for new noise-sensitive developments, new railways or major roads, major redevelopments of existing railways or major roads, and new freight handling facilities.
Specifically, the policy establishes a standardised set of criteria to be used in the assessment of proposals; encourages best-practice design and construction standards for new development proposals and new or redeveloped transport infrastructure proposals; facilitates the development and operation of an efficient freight network; and facilitates the strategic co-location of freight handling facilities.
The EPA would refer to this document in its assessment of proposals involving road and rail transport noise. However, if a proposal relates only to existing infrastructure with a proposed increase in traffic volume, proponents and consultants should contact the Noise Regulation Branch for guidance.
