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Information Response - Acoustics
Attached to the e-mail MCU21 0106 - Information Response - Acoustics- Indoor Sport and Recreation - 3 11 Gibson Road NOOSAVILLE.
14 July 2021
[email protected]: Information Response
3/11 Gibson Road, Noosaville
MCU21/0106
To Whom It May Concern:
Please find below applicant response to Council’s information request dated 13 July 2021.
Issue
The proposed use has provided the hours of operation in accordance with PO9 of the Recreation Activities
Code. The proposed use is to occur within an existing commercial building that contains a shared wall with
adjoining tenants. It is envisaged that the operation of the fitness activity will result in the emission of noise.
It is unclear as to what equipment and noise mitigation devices are to be utilised. To ensure that the use will
not have any negative impacts on the amenity of the surrounding area and sensitive land uses, the applicant
will need to provide an acoustic report containing the noise mitigation and noise management protocols.
NOISE EMISSIONS REPORT
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this report is to describe, evaluate and analyse the impacts of noise emissions in order
to provide measures for achieving acceptable acoustic amenity and demonstrating compliance with the
previsions for an indoor sport and recreation business.
This report is provided in support of the proposal and is intended to give Council confidence that noise
will be managed effectively and efficiently. The development involves a new noise generating activity
near an existing noise sensitive use (dwelling houses).
Noose Council regulates Noise levels under the Noose Shire Council Subordinate Local Law No.3
(Community and Environment Management) 2015.
Schedule 5 Prescribed Noise Standards states:
There have been no additional noise standard prescribed under this local law.
Noise Standards are regulated under the Environmental Protection Act 1994.
This report identifies the potential noise levels, and employs the hierarchy of managing noise:
a) by avoidance;
b) by minimising the noise;
c) by managing the noise.
Where noise cannot be avoided or minimised and mitigation measures are required, the hierarchy of
noise control is:
a) control at the source;
b) control the transmission path;
c) control at the receiver.
Urban Planners Queensland
(07) 3106 3221 | [email protected] | upqld.com.au
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METHODOLOGY
Review of Comparison of
Data Collection legislative Analysis of data data vs relevant
requirements legislation
PROPOSAL
The applicant seeks a development permit for a code assessable application for an indoor sport and
recreation use located at 3/11 Gibson Road, Noosaville. The subject site is located within the District
centre zone.
Business Operations
The proposed development is for an indoor sport and recreation use, as such, its business hours are
typical for a development of this nature.
Monday through to Friday will see the first classes begin operation at 5am, with the final morning class
concluding at 10am.
Afternoon classes will operate from 4.15pm and conclude at 7pm. Saturday mornings see Fitstops classic
“Social Saturday” classes, with 2 x session being held at 6am and 7am. The business will be closed on
Sundays. Refer table 4 below.
Predominantly, the classes will be held outside of standard retail hours (9am-5pm). These operational
hours are complimentary to the existing business uses on at 11 Gibson Road, where peak traffic flows
will predominately be between 9am-5pm, and over the weekend.
There is minimal conflict between Fitstop’s proposed operating hours and that of the adjoining
businesses. Some overlap does occur at 9am and 4pm Monday to Friday.
Refer tables 4, 5,6 and 7 below.
The subject site adjoins the low density residential zone to the south.
Given the proposed operational hours, it is considered that the adjoining residences are the primary
concern for noise emissions.
However, additional noise reduction techniques have also been employed to ensure adjoining
businesses are unaffected during their operational hours. A letter of support from the owner/operator
of City Cave has been provided and is included as Attachment A.
FITSTOP – CLASS TIMETABLE
MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY
5am 5am 5am 5am 5am 6am
6am 6am 6am 6am 6am CLOSED
7am 7am 7am 7am 7am,
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915am 915am 915am 915am 915am 7am
CLOSED
415pm 415pm 415pm 415pm 415pm
515pm 515pm 515pm 515pm 515pm
615pm 615pm 615pm 615pm 615pm
TABLE 1: BUSINESS OPERATION HOURS.
Urban Planners Queensland
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[OCR of page images]
915am 915am 915am 915am 915am
CLOSED
415pm 415pm 415pm 415pm 415pm
515pm 515pm 515pm 515pm 515pm
615pm 615pm 615pm 615pm 615pm
7am
TABLE 1: BUSINESS OPERATION HOURS.
Urban Planners Queensland
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Page 4
OPENING TIMES COMPARISON TABLE
MONDAY- FRIDAY
Wabi Sabi (Shop Classy Lady (shop Highgrove Bathrooms
Fitstop (Shop 3)
4) 2) (shop 1)
5am 5am open
6am open CLOSED
CLOSED
7am open CLOSED
8am NO CLASSES 8.30am open
9am 9.15am class 9am open open
10am 10am open open open
11am open open open
12pm CLOSED open open open
1pm open open open
2pm open open open
3pm 4pm close open open
4pm 4.15pm open 5pm close
5pm 5.15pm open
6pm 6.15pm open
CLOSED
7pm open CLOSED
CLOSED
8pm 9pm close
9pm CLOSED
TABLE 2: OPENING TIME COMPARISON TABLE – MONDAY TO FRIDAY.
Urban Planners Queensland
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Page 5
OPENING TIMES COMPARISON TABLE
SATURDAY
Highgrove
Wabi Sabi (Shop4 City Cave Noose
Fitstop (Shop 3) Bathrooms
) (Shop 2)
(shop 1)
5am CLOSED
6am 6am class
CLOSED
7am 7am class CLOSED
8am
9am 9am open
10am 10am open open
11am open open
12pm open open
1pm open open CLOSED
2pm open open
CLOSED
3pm open open
4pm 4pm close open
5pm open
6pm open
7pm CLOSED open
8pm 9pm close
9pm CLOSED
TABLE 3: OPENING TIME COMPARISON TABLE – SATURDAY.
Urban Planners Queensland
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OPENING TIMES COMPARISON TABLE
SUNDAY
Highgrove
City Cave Noose
Fitstop (Shop 3) Wabi Sabi (Shop 4) Bathrooms
(Shop 2)
(shop 1)
5am
6am
CLOSED
7am
8am
9am 9am open
10am open
11am CLOSED CLOSED open
12pm open
1pm open CLOSED
2pm open
3pm open
4pm open
5pm pen
6pm pen
7pm open
8pm CLOSED
9pm close
9pm CLOSED
TABLE 4: OPENING TIME COMPARISON TABLE – SUNDAY.
Urban Planners Queensland
(07) 3106 3221 | [email protected] | upqld.com.au
Page 7
NOISE SOURCES
Cars
The proposed business will result in an increase of vehicles utilising the premises.
The existing carpark is predominantly orientated towards Gibson Road. Any noise emissions will be
short-lived, as customers will exit their vehicles and enter the premises. Anticipated vehicle noise levels
could be considered similar to what is expected for the locality. Refer figure 1 below.
Music and Voices
Council’s key concerns relate to the emission of noise from voices and music. Given the proposed use is
for an indoor sport and recreation use, several mitigation techniques are proposed and discussed in
further detail below.
Figure 1: Carparking Location.
AUSTRALIAN NOISE STANDARDS
The Local Government Toolbox provides a range of information for Queenslanders including noise
pullution levels. It outlines some common noise levels:
• quiet residential area – 40 decibels
• large office – 50 decibels
• washing machine – 50-75 decibels
• lawn mower – 65-90 decibels (Queensland Government, 2020).
Safe Work Australia is an Australian Government statutory agency established in 2009 under the Safe
Work Australia Act 2008. Their primary responsibility is to improve work health and safety and workers'
compensation arrangements across Australia. Their guide for mitigating noise within workplaces
contains a table of common noise sources and their typical sound ratings. This table can be used to draw
comparisons to the proposed business:
Urban Planners Queensland
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Page 8
Figure 1: Common Noise Sources And Their Typical Sound Levels (SAFE WORK AUSTRALIA;, 2020)
NOOSA NOISE REGULATIONS
Noise control laws are enforced under the Environmental protections Act 1994. Under the act Council
has authority to investigate noise breaches. Whilst there does not appear to be regulations specifically
for this business type, there are requirements for noise emissions from air-conditioning units which
could be used to draw a comparison. It is important to note that these levels are for air-conditioning
units, and are for comparative purposes only:
An occupier of a premises where air conditioning equipment is located, commits an offence under
the Environmental Protection Act if the equipment is operated:
• after 10:00 PM on any day and before 7:00 AM of the following day in a manner that makes
noise of more than 3 dB(A) above the background level;
• from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM on any day in a manner that makes a noise of more than 5 dB(A)(Show
info) above the background level;
• between the hours of 7:00AM to 7:00PM in a manner that makes a noise of more than 50dB(A).
NOISE MITIGATION CONTROL MEASURES
A combination of R2.5 Insulation and Gyprock Soundcheck will be applied to the internal walls.
Particular attention has been given to the adjoining business walls, and the southern wall which faces
the southern residents.
Urban Planners Queensland
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Of note, the southern wall currently has two doorways and two roller doors. Both roller doors and one
of the doorways will be infilled as part of this proposal. With the addition of the R2.5 insulation and
Gyprock Soundcheck along this wall, noise emissions will be significantly reduced. Refer to figures 4 and
5 below.
The below sections outline the specifications of R2.5 insulation and Gyprock Soundcheck.
R2.5 Insultation
As part of the internal building works R2.5 Insulation will be installed in the interior walls.
Included in the Information Response is a report from the insulation company with the noise
specifications for R2.5 insulation. In short R2.5 insulation greatly reduces noise transmission between
rooms and is a common noise reduction employed within residential and commercial premises.
“Sound power is measured in decibels (dB) on a logarithmic scale which means that a 3dB reduction is
actually a 50% decrease in sound power. A measure called Weighted Sound Reduction Index (Rw) has
been developed to measure the effectiveness of noise reduction in different types of construction. The
higher the Rw value, the more noise is absorbed and the quieter your home will be. An increase of one
Rw unit is approximately equal to a reduction of one decibel of noise level.” (CSR Bradford, 2018)
The company’s specification report provides a diagram on how sound moves between walls, and the
level of noise reduction that can be achieved with insulation (refer figure 1 below)
Noise impacts assessment
Whilst Noosa Shire Council does not have a Planning Scheme Policy for Noise, many other local
Council’s do. Moreton Bay Regional Council is one such example. Moreton Bay’s Planning
Scheme Policy – Noise specifies the general noise emission criteria for noise generating uses.
Their Planning Policy extends from the requirements of the Environmental Protection Act 1994.
As an example of the acoustic reduction capabilities of the R2.5m insultation the following table
is provided. The General Residential zone was used as comparison against Noosa’s low-density
residential zone.
Both column Column 1 – Intrusive noise Column 2 – Acoustic amenity criteria
1 and 2 are criteria
applicable
Criteria LAeq,adj,T is not greater than Day, evening and night LAeq,adj,`1hr are not greater
location the Rating Background Level than the values in column 2 for the relevant criteria
(RBL) for Day Evening and location.
Night plus the value in
column 1 for the relevant
criteria location. These limits
are component levels “T” is
either a relevant
representative 15 minutes or
if the duration of the noise
occurs for less than 15
minutes the duration of the
noise source.
Day Evening Night Sound
At the
reduction with
boundary of
R2.5 insulation
the General 3dB(A)
residential
55dB(A) 45dB(A) 40dB(A)
zone
Urban Planners Queensland
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Noise Source
Entertainment system (moderate level) 85dB N/A N/A 51dB
Loud voices 80dB N/A N/A 46dB
Cars Temporary noise only.
Table 5: Estimated Noise Reduction vs Acceptable Noise levels for the General Residential
Zone under Moreton Bay’s Planning Scheme Policy – Noise
Figure 2: Sound Reduction Between A Non-Insulated Wall And An Insulated Wall (CSR
BRADFORD, 2018)
Gyprock Soundcheck
In addition to the R2.5 insulation, Gyprock Soundcheck will also be used to minimise noise impacts.
Gyprock Soundcheck is a high density gypsum plasterboard typically used within commercial or
residential buildings. The plasterboard has improved sound transmission is utilised as a noise reduction
technique.
Soundchek provides effective airborne noise and impact noise insulation.
Gyprock states that Higher levels of noise control can be achieved by including bulk acoustic insulation
in the Soundchek wall cavity (Gyprock).
Urban Planners Queensland
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Page 11
Figure 3: Existing Building Unit Plan. Figure 4: Proposed Areas Utilizing R2.5 Insulation and Gyprock Soundcheck (red) Urban Planners Queensland (07) 3106 3221 | [email protected] | upqld.com.au
Page 12
Figure 5: Proposed Areas Utilizing R2.5 Insulation and Gyprock Soundcheck (red)
Existing Noise Mitigation
The Australian Government recommends several mitigation methods for noise emissions.
• Place a screen between dwelling and noise source.
• Dense vegetation can significantly reduce noise transmission in a number of ways — a soft earth
surface reduces the intensity of low frequency sound by absorbing its energy, and leaves and
stems scatter high frequency sound waves.
• Place walls, fences, trees and screening vegetation between the noise source and your home.
(Australian Government)
The nearest adjoining residence is approximately 10m to the south west.
The following noise attenuation methods already exist on site and are considered to further avoid
negative impacts upon dwellings to the south.
• Extensive, established vegetation buffer along the southern boundary
• 1.8m high fence along southern boundary
• Buildings orientated towards Gibson Road, away from sensitive land uses
Urban Planners Queensland
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Figure 6: Existing Noise Mitigation Measures.
Conclusion
Noise is a common cause of disputes. It is essential that noise is managed effectively and minimised as
much as possible particularly within suburban neighbourhoods. Noosa Shire Council is the regularity
authority for enforcing noise laws. In the first instance, Council encourages neighbours to contact the
perpetrator noise.
It is important to note that some noise does not necessarily constitute a noise nuisance under the local
laws.. Given the proposed business operational hours, noise mitigation techniques (proposed and
existing), it is unlikely the business will cause a nuisance to adjoining properties.
With the added benefit of:
• R2.5 insulation
o This insulation alone will reduce noise levels to a maximum of 51dB(A)
• Gyprock Soundcheck
o The plasterboard has improved sound transmission is utilised as a noise reduction
technique.
• Extensive, established vegetation buffer along the southern boundary
• 1.8m high fence along southern boundary
• Buildings orientated towards Gibson Road, away from sensitive land uses
It is considered that noise will be effectively attenuated. Council can provide reasonable and relevant
conditions to ensure compliance with the Australian Standards.
Urban Planners Queensland
(07) 3106 3221 | [email protected] | upqld.com.au
Page 14
*** We trust that the above response and attached information satisfy Council’s outstanding items with the proposed development. Should you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact me. Kind Regards, Matthew Ward Town Planner Urban Planners Queensland Urban Planners Queensland (07) 3106 3221 | [email protected] | upqld.com.au
Page 15
References CSR Bradford. (2018). Keep Noise in its place. North Ryde: CSR Building Products Limited. Queensland Government. (2020, August). Noise Pollution. Retrieved from Local Government Toolbox: https://www.lgtoolbox.qld.gov.au/topics/pollution/noise-pollution#complaints-and-noise-assessment Safe Work Australia;. (2020, August). Noise. Retrieved from Safe Work Australia: https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/noise Gyprock. - 14 July 2021. – Retreived from Gyprock: https://www.gyprock.com.au/products/plasterboard-soundchek. Urban Planners Queensland (07) 3106 3221 | [email protected] | upqld.com.au