PROPOSED WAREHOUSE 421-427 FLUSHCOMBE ROAD, …

PROPOSED WAREHOUSE

421-427 FLUSHCOMBE ROAD, BLACKTOWN NOISE IMPACT ASSESSMENT

REPORT NO. 19468

VERSION A

NOVEMBER 2019

PREPARED FOR

CHARTER HALL

GPO BOX 3993

SYDNEY NSW 1223

PROPOSED WAREHOUSE

421-427 FLUSHCOMBE ROAD, BLACKTOWN

NOISE IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT NO. 19468 VERSION A

DOCUMENT CONTROL

Version Status Date Prepared By Reviewed By

A Final 25 November 2019 Lloyd Mears Lee Hudson

Note

All materials specified by Wilkinson Murray Pty Limited have been selected solely on the basis of acoustic performance.

Any other properties of these materials, such as fire rating, chemical properties etc. should be checked with the suppliers

or other specialised bodies for fitness for a given purpose. The information contained in this document produced

by Wilkinson Murray is solely for the use of the client identified on the front page of this report. Our client becomes the

owner of this document upon full payment of our Tax Invoice for its provision. This document must not be used for any

purposes other than those of the document’s owner. Wilkinson Murray undertakes no duty to or accepts any responsibility

to any third party who may rely upon this document.

Quality Assurance

Wilkinson Murray operates a Quality Management System which complies with the requirements of

AS/NZS ISO 9001:2015. This management system has been externally certified by SAI Global and

Licence No. QEC 13457 has been issued.

AAAC

This firm is a member firm of the Association of Australasian Acoustical Consultants and the work here

reported has been carried out in accordance with the terms of that membership.

Celebrating 50 Years in 2012

Wilkinson Murray is an independent firm established in 1962, originally as Carr & Wilkinson.

In 1976 Barry Murray joined founding partner Roger Wilkinson and the firm adopted the name which

remains today. From a successful operation in Australia, Wilkinson Murray expanded its reach into Asia

by opening a Hong Kong office early in 2006. Today, with offices in Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong,

Queensland and Hong Kong, Wilkinson Murray services the entire Asia-Pacific region.

PROPOSED WAREHOUSE



TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

GLOSSARY OF ACOUSTIC TERMS

1 INTRODUCTION 1

2 SITE DESCRIPTION 2

3 NOISE CRITERIA 3

3.1 NSW Noise Policy for Industry 3

3.2 Ambient Noise Levels 3

3.3 Intrusiveness Noise Level 4

3.4 Maximum Noise Level Events 4

3.5 Amenity Noise Level 5 3.5.1 Project Noise Trigger Levels 6

4 OPERATIONAL NOISE ASSESSMENT 7

4.1 Noise Modelling 7

4.2 Noise Sources 7

4.3 Predicted Noise Levels at Receivers 8

4.1 Sleep Disturbance Assessment 9

5 TRAFFIC NOISE ASSESSMENT 10

5.1 Traffic Noise Criteria 10

5.2 Traffic Noise Assessment 10

6 CONCLUSION 11

APPENDIX A – Noise Measurement Results

PROPOSED WAREHOUSE



GLOSSARY OF ACOUSTIC TERMS

Most environments are affected by environmental noise which continuously varies, largely as a result of road

traffic. To describe the overall noise environment, a number of noise descriptors have been developed and

these involve statistical and other analysis of the varying noise over sampling periods, typically taken as 15

minutes. These descriptors, which are demonstrated in the graph below, are here defined.

Maximum Noise Level (LAmax) – The maximum noise level over a sample period is the maximum level,

measured on fast response, during the sample period.

LA1 – The LA1 level is the noise level which is exceeded for 1% of the sample period. During the sample

period, the noise level is below the LA1 level for 99% of the time.


period, the noise level is below the LA10 level for 90% of the time. The LA10 is a common noise descriptor

for environmental noise and road traffic noise.


period, the noise level is below the LA90 level for 10% of the time. This measure is commonly referred to as

the background noise level.

LAeq – The equivalent continuous sound level (LAeq) is the energy average of the varying noise over the

sample period and is equivalent to the level of a constant noise which contains the same energy as the

varying noise environment. This measure is also a common measure of environmental noise and road traffic

noise.

ABL – The Assessment Background Level is the single figure background level representing each assessment

period (daytime, evening and night time) for each day. It is determined by calculating the 10th percentile

(lowest 10th percent) background level (LA90) for each period.

RBL – The Rating Background Level for each period is the median value of the ABL values for the period

over all of the days measured. There is therefore an RBL value for each period – daytime, evening and

night time.

Typical Graph of Sound Pressure Level vs Time

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

0:00 3:00 6:00 9:00 12:00 15:00

Monitoring or Survey Period (5 sec samples)

So

un

d P

ressu

re L

evel

(dB

A) L Amax

L A1

L A10

L Aeq

L A50

L A90

PROPOSED WAREHOUSE

421-427 FLUSHCOMBE ROAD, BLACKTOWN PAGE 1


1 INTRODUCTION

Wilkinson Murray Pty Limited has been engaged by Charter Hall to undertake a study to assess

the suitability of 421-427 Flushcombe Road, Blacktown for future redevelopment into a

warehouse and office facility that will operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The proposed site

layout is illustrated in Figure 1-1.

As requested, this report considers the acoustic implications of the proposed facility on the

surrounding environment. Noise emissions have been assessed against the site-specific noise

criteria determined in accordance with the Environmental Protection Authority’s (EPA) Noise Policy

for Industry (NPfI) procedures.

Figure 1-1 Proposed Warehouse and Office Facility – Site Layout

PROPOSED WAREHOUSE



2 SITE DESCRIPTION

The proposed development comprises of a warehouse (23,300m2), ancillary offices (100m2) and

ancillary development, including car parking (184 spaces), as well as landscaping and

infrastructure provision.

At a regional level, the Site is located approximately 3.6 kilometres south of Blacktown CBD, 11km from Parramatta CBD and 30km west of the Sydney CBD. It is within the LGA of Blacktown City

Council and is zoned IN1 General Industrial. It is also subject to controls of the State

Environmental Planning Policy (Western Sydney Parklands) 2009 (SEPP WSP).

The site is located south of the Great Western Highway and is bound to the east by Flushcombe Road with a total site area of 42,850m2. The surrounding developments primarily consist of

industrial facilities used for warehousing, distribution and various industrial activities.

The nearest identified residential receiver is 106A Ollier Crescent, Blacktown, 225 metres north

east of the proposed site. The nearest industrial receiver, VCV Sydney bounds the western site

perimeter. Table 2-1 presents the nearby surrounding receivers and their distances from the site

and Figure 2-1 presents the location of the proposed facility and the surrounding receivers.

Table 2-1 Surrounding Receivers

Receiver ID Address Distance to Site

R1 106A Ollier Crescent, Blacktown 225m

R2 6 Tyne Place, Prospect 300m

R3 20 Brae Street, Prospect 455m

IR (VCV Sydney) 9 Oatley Close, Blacktown 50m

Figure 2-1 Aerial View of the Site Location

PROPOSED WAREHOUSE



3 NOISE CRITERIA

3.1 NSW Noise Policy for Industry

The NPfI provides a framework and process for deriving noise criteria for consents and licences

that enable the EPA and others to regulate premises that are scheduled under the Protection of

the Environment Operations Act 1997. Whilst specifically aimed at assessment and control of

noise from industrial premises regulated by the EPA, the policy is also appropriate for use by the

DPI&E and local councils when assessing development proposals.

The NPfI documents a procedure for assessment and management of industrial noise which

involves the following steps:

• Determining the project noise trigger levels for a development. The project noise trigger level

is a benchmark level above which noise management measures are required to be

considered. They are derived by considering short-term intrusiveness due to changes in the

existing noise environment (applicable to residential receivers only) and maintaining noise

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

trigger levels are derived from ambient noise monitoring;

• Predicting or measuring noise produced by the development (having regard to any associated

annoying characteristics and prevailing meteorological effects);

• Comparing the predicted or measured noise level with the project noise trigger level and

assessing impacts and the need for noise mitigation and management measures;

• Considering any residual noise impacts following the application of feasible and reasonable

noise mitigation measures;

• Setting statutory compliance levels that reflect the best achievable and agreed noise limits

for development; and

• Monitoring and reporting environmental noise levels from the development.

The project noise trigger level represents the level that, if exceeded, may indicate a potential

noise impact upon a community. It is a benchmark or objective and is not intended for use as a

mandatory requirement.

3.2 Ambient Noise Levels

Ambient noise monitoring was not conducted specifically for this project, as detailed monitoring

was conducted in 2017 for a neighbouring development at 59B/179 Reservoir Road, Blacktown.

A detailed account of the environmental noise survey has been provided within the acoustic

assessment report prepared by Wilkinson Murray Pty Limited for a development nearby

– 1 Huntingwood Drive, Huntingwood (reference: 16344-P_VerA_Final). The noise measurement

was conducted between 4.00pm Friday 20 October 2017 and 8.00am Friday 27 October 2017.

This monitoring location (ML) is situated approximately 450 metres west of the proposed

warehouse and is considered to represent the ambient noise environment of the residential

receivers (RR) identified in Figure 2-1.

PROPOSED WAREHOUSE



Table 3-1 presents a summary of the noise measurement results appropriate to establish the

relevant noise criteria for this assessment.

Table 3-1 Background Noise Monitoring Results

Day Evening Night AM

Shoulder

PM

Shoulder 15hr 9hr

LAeq 65 63 63 67 61 65 63

RBL 57 53 49 60 51 - -

3.3 Intrusiveness Noise Level

For assessing intrusiveness, the background noise level (LA90) is measured and the Rating

Background Level (RBL) is determined. The intrusiveness of an industrial noise source may

generally be considered acceptable if the equivalent continuous noise level (LAeq) of the source

(measured over a 15-minute period) does not exceed the background noise level (RBL) by more

than 5dBA.

The nearest and potentially most impacted residential receiver to the proposed facility, is 106A

Ollier Crescent, Blacktown. If compliance is determined at this residential receiver location, then

it can be concluded that compliance is achieved at other residents located north of the warehouse

due to shielding. Residential receivers located further north east than R1 have been included in

this assessment as they are in direct line of site of the proposed facility.

The intrusiveness criteria for the residential receiver area are presented in Table 3-2.

Table 3-2 Intrusive Noise Criteria – LAeq,15min dBA

Monitoring Location Period Intrusiveness Criteria LAeq,15min dBA

ML

Day (7.00am-6.00pm) 62

Evening (6.00pm-10.00pm) 58

Night (10.00pm-7.00am) 54

Note 1: Daytime 7.00am–6.00pm; Evening 6.00pm–10.00pm; Night 10.00pm-7.00am.

3.4 Maximum Noise Level Events

Noise sources of short duration and high level that may cause disturbance to sleep if occurring

during the night time need to be considered.

The approach recommended by the NPfI is to apply the following initial screening noise levels:

• LAeq,15min 40dBA or the prevailing RBL + 5dB, whichever is the greater; and/or

• LAFmax 52dBA or the prevailing RBL + 15dB, whichever is the greater.

The sleep disturbance screening noise levels apply outside bedroom windows during the night

time period. It should be noted, the sleep disturbance criteria do not apply to receivers within an

industrial zone.

PROPOSED WAREHOUSE



Where the screening noise levels cannot be met, a detailed maximum noise level event

assessment should be undertaken. It may also be appropriate to consider other guidelines

including the NSW Road Noise Policy (RNP) which contains additional guidance relating to

potential sleep disturbance impacts.

A review of research on sleep disturbance in the RNP indicates that in some circumstances, higher

noise levels may occur without significant sleep disturbance. Based on currently available research

results, the RNP concludes that:

• “Maximum internal noise levels below 50dBA to 55dBA are unlikely to cause awakening

reactions.”

• “One or two noise events per night, with maximum internal noise levels of 65dBA to 70dBA,

are not likely to affect health and wellbeing significantly.”

3.5 Amenity Noise Level

The amenity assessment is based on noise criteria specific to land use and associated activities.

The criteria relate only to industrial-type noise and do not include transportation noise (when on

public transport corridors), noise from motor sport, construction noise, community noise, blasting,

shooting ranges, occupational workplace noise, wind farms, amplified music/patron noise.

The amenity noise level aims to limit continuing increases in noise levels which may occur if the

intrusiveness level alone is applied to successive development within an area.

The recommended amenity noise level represents the objective for total industrial noise at a

receiver location. The project amenity noise level represents the objective for noise from a single

industrial development at a receiver location.

To prevent increases in industrial noise due to the cumulative effect of several developments, the

project amenity noise level for each new source of industrial noise is set at 5dBA below the

recommended amenity noise level.

An extract from the NPfI that relates to the amenity noise levels for surrounding receivers is given

in Table 3-3.

Table 3-3 Amenity Noise Levels

Noise

Amenity Area Time of Day1

Recommended Amenity Noise Level

LAeq (dBA)

Residential – Suburban

Day 55

Evening 45

Night 40

Industrial

Day 70

Evening 70

Night 70

Note 1: Daytime 7.00am–6.00pm; Evening 6.00pm–10.00pm; Night 10.00pm-7.00am.

PROPOSED WAREHOUSE



3.5.1 Project Noise Trigger Levels

The amenity and intrusiveness noise levels and resulting project trigger levels applicable to

sources of continuous operational noise associated with the project are shown in Table 3-4.

Table 3-4 Project-Specific Noise Level – LAeq,15min (dBA)

Noise

Amenity Area Time of Day

Project Noise Trigger Level

LAeq,15min (dBA)

Residence – Suburban

Day (7.00am-6.00pm) 53


Night (10.00pm-7.00am) 38

Industrial

Day (7.00am-6.00pm) 70


Night (10.00pm-7.00am) 70

Table 3-5 presents the sleep disturbance noise criteria (night time period only) for continuous

and maximum noise level events.

Table 3-5 Sleep Disturbance Trigger Levels

Receiver Continuous Noise Criteria

LAeq,15min

Maximum Noise Level Event Criteria

LAFmax

Residential Receivers 54 64

PROPOSED WAREHOUSE



4 OPERATIONAL NOISE ASSESSMENT

4.1 Noise Modelling

Site related noise emissions were modeled with the “CadnaA” acoustic noise prediction software

using ISO 9613 noise prediction algorithm. Factors that are addressed in the noise modeling are:

• Equipment sound level emissions and location;

• Receiver locations;

• Ground topography;

• Noise attenuation due to geometric spreading;

• Ground absorption; and

• Atmospheric absorption.

The ISO 9613 noise prediction algorithm predicts noise levels for moderate noise enhanced meteorological conditions, such as moderate temperature conditions and light source to receiver

winds.

4.2 Noise Sources

For the purpose of this assessment a worst-case scenario noise impact prediction (with all

equipment operating on site) has been calculated to ensure all operational conditions comply with

the relevant criteria.

Table 4-1 details day and night-time operational scenarios of the proposed warehouse. The table

includes the Sound Power Level and likely location of each noise source and the number of each

noise source operating simultaneously.

It should be noted, no mechanical services data was provided and a sound power level for the

mechanical plant (i.e. air conditioning condenser unit and exhaust fan) have been assumed.

Table 4-1 Source Noise Levels (LAeq)

Noise Source

Sound Power

Level

LAeq dBA

Location

Day/Evening

Number of

Sources

Night Time

Number of

Sources

Single Truck Idling 93 Loading Dock 8 10

Truck Movement 108 1 truck entering the site and

1 truck departing simultaneously 2 1

Light Vehicles 94 Carpark/Entering/Leaving 29 29

Single Forklift 95 Loading Dock 3 2

Air Conditioning Unit 68 Warehouse Rooftop 1 1

Exhaust Fan 90 Warehouse Rooftop 1 1

PROPOSED WAREHOUSE



The loudest noise source assumed to emanate from the proposed warehouse and office facility

is generated via truck movements in and out of the facility. This particular noise source is assessed

to determine the impact on sleep disturbance at nearest residential receivers Table 4-2 presents

the typical LAMax sound power level of the truck movement.

Table 4-2 LAMax Noise Levels of Site

Noise Source LAMax Sound Power

Level dBA Location

Truck Movement 113 Entering and departing the site

4.3 Predicted Noise Levels at Receivers

Table 4-3 and Table 4-4 present predicted noise levels at surrounding receivers with all equipment

and vehicles operating.

Table 4-3 Predicted Operational Noise – LAeq,15min dBA

ID Address

Predicted Operational

Noise Level

Noise Criteria Period

LAeq,15min Compliance

Day Evening Night Day Evening Night

R1 106A Ollier Cr, Blacktown 41 41 36 53 43 38 ✔

R2 6 Tyne Pl, Prospect 42 42 36 53 43 38 ✔

R3 20 Brae St, Prospect 41 41 36 53 43 38 ✔

IR (VCV Sydney)

9 Oatley Cl, Blacktown 59 59 54 70 70 70 ✔

Note 1: The evening noise criteria is presented in the table as it is more stringent than the daytime noise criterion.

A review of the results indicates compliance with site-specific noise criteria at all receivers. The

night-time operations also comply with the continuous noise sleep disturbance criterion.

It should be noted, the results shown in Table 4-3 represent a worst-case operational scenario.

Normal operation of the site will generate reduced noise levels at surrounding receivers.

PROPOSED WAREHOUSE



4.1 Sleep Disturbance Assessment

In the case of sleep disturbance, the maximum noise levels (LAMax) associated with truck

movements on site was assessed. Table 4-4 presents the predicted maximum noise levels at the

nearest residential receivers.

Table 4-4 Predicted Maximum Noise Levels at Residences – LAMax dBA

ID Address Predicted LAMax Noise

Level dBA

Screening

Criteria Compliance

R1 106A Ollier Cr, Blacktown 37 64 ✔

R2 6 Tyne Pl, Prospect 38 64 ✔

R3 20 Brae St, Prospect 39 64 ✔

Noise is predicted to comply with the sleep disturbance screening criteria at the nearest residential

receivers during night-time operations.

PROPOSED WAREHOUSE



5 TRAFFIC NOISE ASSESSMENT

5.1 Traffic Noise Criteria

The EPA’s NSW Road Noise Policy (RNP) documents criteria for managing noise levels associated

with development that will increase traffic on a particular road.

This development has the potential to increase traffic on the surrounding roads. The predominant

source of traffic associated with this development will be trucks delivering materials and receiving

products.

Truck access to the premises is proposed via Flushcombe Road from the south eastern corner of

the site. It is expected that all trucks will use the Great Western Highway to access the area.

There are no residences along Flushcombe Road. Accordingly, further assessment of road traffic

noise is not required. The RNP assessment criteria for residential land uses are presented in Table

5-1 for major roads, such as the Great Western Highway.

Table 5-1 Road Traffic Noise Assessment Criteria for Residential Receivers

Road Category Type of Proposal / Land Use

Noise Criteria

Day

(7am-10pm)

LAeq,15hr (dBA)

Night-time

(10pm-7am)

LAeq,9hr (dBA)

Freeway/Arterial/Sub-

Arterial Roads

Existing residences affected by

additional traffic on existing freeways /

arterial / sub-arterial roads generated

by land use development

60 55

The RNP also offers the relative increase criterion to manage the permissible increase in road

traffic noise from a land use development. This criterion states that:

“For existing residences and other sensitive land uses affected by additional traffic on

existing roads generated by land use developments, any increase in the total traffic

noise level should be limited to 2 dB above that of the corresponding ‘no build option’.”

As the measured LAeq,15hr and LAeq,9hr (refer Table 3-1) exceed the RNP assessment criteria the

relative increase criteria is to be adopted.

5.2 Traffic Noise Assessment

Traffic volume data relating to vehicles travelling east and westbound along the Great Western Highway through Blacktown was obtained from the RMS traffic volume viewer. During peak hours,

up to 1900 vehicles, including 126 heavy vehicles travel along the highway. Traffic generation

data obtained from the Ason Group report 0986r02 TA 427 Flushcombe Road, Blacktown indicates that a total of 39 vehicles, including 10 heavy vehicles would be generated by the proposed

warehouse and offices. Based upon this projected traffic volume, the resulting increase in the existing road traffic noise level would be less than 2dB.

PROPOSED WAREHOUSE



6 CONCLUSION

A noise assessment has been prepared for the proposed warehouse and office facility to be

located at 421-427 Flushcombe Road, Blacktown. The purpose of the assessment was to

determine the potential noise impact of the development on nearby surrounding receivers.

The relevant noise criteria for the surrounding receivers was established based upon the

procedures documented in the EPA’s Noise Policy for Industry.

A worst-case operational scenario, with all equipment operating simultaneously has been

modelled. Operational noise from the development complies with the relevant noise criteria at all

receiver locations. Under normal operations, the development will generate reduced noise levels

at surrounding receivers.

Based upon the assessment results, it has been determined that the proposed warehouse and

office facility will not adversely impact on the nearby surrounding receivers in Blacktown.

APPENDIX A

NOISE MEASUREMENT RESULTS

PROPOSED WAREHOUSE

421-427 FLUSHCOMBE ROAD, BLACKTOWN APPENDIX A-1


PROPOSED WAREHOUSE



PROPOSED WAREHOUSE 421-427 FLUSHCOMBE ROAD, …

Documents

Transcript of PROPOSED WAREHOUSE 421-427 FLUSHCOMBE ROAD, …