MCU21.0193-Applicant's Response to Council's IR

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Applicant’s Response

Refer to the Acoustic Report prepared by Acoustic Works included within Attachment 1. The report was
conducted on 12 January 2022 “to determine the extent of vibration impacts from weight drops and airborne
noise transmission from speakers to the neighbouring tenancies”.

It is important to note that the acoustic testing was undertaken using a 25kg dumbbell. Only advanced weight
trainers/patrons utilise dumbbells over 20kg, and heavy dumbbells are only utilised for a limited amount of
strength exercises. Thus, the use of such heavy dumbbells is infrequent, and the acoustic reporting is based
on worst case scenario. Furthermore, testing was undertaken when the weights are dropped. Dropping of
weights is not encouraged at LiFT Strength and Conditioning and staff will be onsite during operating hours
to ensure the incorrect use of weights does not occur.

As demonstrated by Acoustic Report, with gym flooring fitted to the appropriate areas of the gym, the
proposed use is “just audible” to the adjoining tenancies. The findings in the acoustic report recommended
that unnecessary noise associated with the proposed use can be controlled and monitored by staff.

Staff will be onsite during opening hours which are 5:00AM to 8:00PM. It is expected peak operating hours for
LiFT Strength and Conditioning will be early morning and afternoon to evening, typically outside standard
workings hours of 9:00AM to 5:00PM. This is demonstrated in the example timetable below.




Figure 1: Example Timetable
Source: LiFT Strength & Conditioning Maroochydore




LiFT Strength and Conditioning classes are offered from 5:00AM till 10.15AM in the morning, and starting in the
afternoon from 4:30PM onwards. As a result, it is expected that any potential impacts of the proposed use on
the adjoining tenancies are minimised as the use occurs outside typical business trading hours. The adjoining
tenancies of Davison Hair and BCC Cinema Noosa operate Monday to Saturday – 9:00AM to 5:00PM and
Monday to Sunday 9:00AM to 9:30PM respectively.

                                                                    PO Box 1818        07 5474 3873
                                                                    Noosa Heads        [email protected]
                                                                    QLD 4567           rgstrategic.com.au

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From the above operating times for classes and the adjoining tenancies we can see that there is a very
minor overlay of times.

The following is a list of existing gyms/fitness operators within the precinct and their operating hours:

    •   Franks Gym – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

    •   Caza Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu – 6AM to 8PM, 6 days a week.

    •   Bare Bones Movement Pilates – 6AM to 6:30PM, 6 days a week.

    •   Studio Pilates – 5AM to 7:30PM, 7 days a week.

The proposed LiFT Strength and Conditioning operating hours align with the existing gyms/fitness operators
within the precinct.

The proposed use is located in an existing building, along a major road, and within the Major Centre Zone
and as such it is expected that there is activity and associated noise occurring on site. The proposed use will
not have any impact on the surrounding residential properties.




Information Required by Council

    2. Activities in gyms, particularly the dropping of weights, can generate high levels of vibration and
        structure borne noise in the underlying building structure. Vibration isolation is therefore necessary to
        reduce the transfer to adjacent sensitive areas such as residences, particularly when gyms are
        located over sensitive areas. Any noise and vibration transmitted by the gym within the proposed
        development is required to comply with the noise and vibration limits in accordance with the relevant
        standards. The development of an effective noise management strategy should accompany the
        proposal with details of all insulation treatment and mitigation measures.

        Council may consider noise emissions as below:

            •   7am to 10pm - no more than five decibels (A) above the background noise level

            •   10pm to midnight – no more than three decibels (A) above the background noise level

            •   Midnight to 7am – no noise heard


Applicant’s Response

Refer to the Acoustic Report within Attachment 1. The report has determined the potential vibration impacts
from 25kg dumbbell weights being dropped on the adjoining tenancies. The Acoustic report recommends the
following is achieved to minimise noise impacts on adjoining commercial tenancies:

            •   “it is recommended that to minimise noise impacts to the neighbouring tenancies, a noise
                level of approximately 70dBA is achieved within the gym”.

            •   “it is also recommended that any installed speakers are to face away from adjoining

                                                                     PO Box 1818        07 5474 3873
                                                                     Noosa Heads        [email protected]
                                                                     QLD 4567           rgstrategic.com.au

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                tenancies, not located on intertenancy walls and/or should be isolated from the structure
                using a spring isolation system”

           •    “To achieve the minimum noise and vibration impact to neighbouring tenancies, the most
                effective solution for the gym floor would be a double layer of Regupol 4080.”

As demonstrated by the Acoustic report, a number of measures can be implemented into the proposed
tenancy and fit out to ensure the potential noise from the proposed use is minimised.

The applicant considers that the above recommendations are reasonable and agrees the above to be
utilised as relevant approval conditions by Conditions.


Information Required by Council

       3. Clarification of staff numbers and class attendees per class type.


Applicant’s Response

Class numbers are capped with 16 persons per class with up to 2 staff in attendance.




This ends my client’s response to matters raised by Council within their Information Request.

We ask that Council proceeds with the assessment of this application under section 13.3 of the Development
Assessment Rules, effectively ending our applicant’s response period.

Should you require any additional information or have any queries please to not hesitate to contact us.



Kind Regards,




Russell Green APIA MQELA
Managing Director
RG Strategic




                                                                   PO Box 1818          07 5474 3873
                                                                   Noosa Heads          [email protected]
                                                                   QLD 4567             rgstrategic.com.au

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