Appendices 6 SMP, 7 Bushfire & 8 Noise impact - Email 3 of 4 - MCU16/0153 & REC16/0041

4.            Acoustic Criteria
4.1           Overview
Acoustic criteria for the project are required to assess noise immissions onto the site and emissions from
the site onto surrounding sensitive land uses. The acoustic assessment has been undertaken in accordance
with the following relevant criteria:
       Noosa Shire Council – Planning Scheme.
       Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (EHP) – Environmental Protection Policy (Noise)
        and Environmental Protection Act.

4.2           Noosa Shire Council – Planning Scheme
The planning scheme does not specifically identify the applicable acoustic criteria for the assessment of
noise intrusion onto the residential development. Therefore, it is proposed to adopt acoustic criteria in
accordance with the EHP’s Environmental Protection Policy (Noise) and Environmental Protection Act.

4.3           Environmental Protection Act
In Queensland, the environment is protected under the Environmental Protection Act 1994. The object of
the Act is to protect Queensland’s environment while allowing for development that improves the total
quality of life, both now and in the future, in a way that maintains the ecological processes on which life
depends (ecologically sustainable development).
This legislation refers to noise as including “vibration of any frequency, whether emitted through air or
another medium” and thus includes underwater noise.
The Act states a person must not carry out any activity that causes, or is likely to cause, environmental
harm unless the person takes all reasonable and practicable measures to prevent or minimise the harm.
This is termed the ‘general environmental duty’. Environmental harm is defined as any adverse effect, or
potential adverse effect (whether temporary or permanent and of whatever magnitude, duration or
frequency) on an environmental value, and includes environmental nuisance. Environmental nuisance is
unreasonable interference or likely interference with an environmental value caused by noise or vibration.
The following noise sources are excluded from the Act – audible traffic signals, warning signals for railway
crossings, safety signals from reversing vehicle, operating a ship, aircraft, public and state controlled roads,
busway, light rail, rail, and non‐domestic animals.
This Act refers to the Environmental Protection Policies as being subordinate legislation to the Act.
The Act describes a number of offences relating to noise standards, including building work, regulated
devices (e.g. power tools), pumps, air‐conditioning equipment, refrigeration equipment, indoor venues,
outdoor events, amplifier devices other than at indoor venue or open‐air event, power boat sports in
waterway, operating power boat engine at premises, blasting, and outdoor shooting ranges. The relevant
standards are included below.

440U Air‐conditioning equipment
(1)     This section applies to premises at or for which there is air‐conditioning equipment.
(2)     An occupier of the premises must not use, or permit the use of, the equipment on any day—
        (a)   before 7a.m, if it makes a noise of more than 3dBA above the background level; or



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