Commonwealth Numbered Regulations

1997 No. 13 AIRPORTS (ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION) REGULATIONS - SCHEDULE 4

                  SCHEDULE 4             Subregulation 2.04 (2), and 

subparagraphs 4.07 (a) and (b)
EXCESSIVE NOISE - GUIDELINES
PART 1 - INTRODUCTORY Purpose of Schedule
1.01. For subregulation 2.04 (2) of the Regulations, this Schedule sets out
indicators of noise that is excessive. [Note: Generation of excessive noise is
not, of itself, an offence under the Regulations.] Interpretation
1.02. In this Schedule:

"average maximum A-weighted sound pressure level" has the same meaning as it
has in AS 1055;

"A-weighted sound pressure level" has the same meaning as it has in AS 1055;

"background noise level", at a particular place, means the level of noise,
calculated as the A-weighted sound pressure level measured at that place,
using time weighting "F", that is exceeded for 90% of a period of at least 15
minutes;

"equivalent continuous A-weighted sound pressure level" has the same meaning
as it has in AS 1055;

"time weighting 'F'" has the same meaning as it has in AS 1259.

PART 2 - SENSITIVE RECEPTORS Application
2.01. This Part applies to sites of sensitive receptors, and a reference in a
provision of this Part to a sound pressure is a reference to sound pressure
audible at the site of a sensitive receptor. Noise from construction, etc.
2.02 (1) Noise generated from construction, maintenance or demolition of a
building or other structure at an airport should not exceed 75 dB(A),
calculated in accordance with subclause (2), at the site of a sensitive
receptor.

(2) For subregulation (1), the sound pressure level of a particular noise is
the sound pressure level that is exceeded for 10% of a period of at least 15
minutes, adjusted to take account of tonal character and impulsiveness (if
any) of the noise. Noise from road traffic
2.03. Noise generated from road traffic on the site of an operator of an
undertaking at an airport should not exceed:

   (a)  60 dB(A), calculated as the equivalent continuous A-weighted sound
        pressure level for a 24 hour period of measurement; and

   (b)  55 dB(A), calculated as the equivalent continuous A-weighted sound
        pressure level for an 8 hour period of measurement from 22:00 hours on
        a particular day to 06:00 hours on the following day. Noise from rail
        traffic
2.04. Noise generated from rail traffic operated at an airport should not
exceed:

   (a)  87 dB(A), calculated as the average maximum A-weighted sound pressure
        level for a period of at least 15 minutes measurement; and

   (b)  60 dB(A), calculated as the equivalent continuous A-weighted sound
        pressure level for a 24 hour period of measurement; and

   (c)  55 dB(A), calculated as the equivalent continuous A-weighted sound
        pressure level for an 8 hour period of measurement from 22:00 hours on
        a particular day to 06:00 hours on the following day. Noise from
        ground-based aircraft operations
2.05. (1) For ground-based aircraft operations, there are no indicators of
noise that is excessive, but the following considerations apply in determining
whether noise is excessive.

(2) Noise from ground-based aircraft running for any reason should only be
generated in a manner that is consistent with:

   (a)  within 1 year after the airport at which the ground running is being
        conducted is first leased - guidelines for ground running published by
        the Federal Airports Corporation and in effect when these Regulations
        are made; or

   (b)  at a time after 1 year after the airport is first leased - express
        provision in the final environment strategy for the airport.

(3) In relation to other ground-based operations and in relation to
ground-based aircraft running at times other than a time to which subclause
(2) applies, matters to be considered are:

   (a)  the distance between the source of the noise and the site of the
        sensitive receptor; and

   (b)  the background noise level;

   (c)  the time of day when the noise occurs; and

   (d)  if the noise source is an aircraft engine - the power setting of the
        engine;

   (e)  anything included in the final environment strategy (if any) for the
        airport at which ground running is being conducted that is relevant to
        this clause.

(4) In this regulation:

"ground-based aircraft operations" means:

   (a)  operation of an auxiliary power unit of an aircraft; or

   (b)  ground-based aircraft running; or

   (c)  test-bed running of an aircraft engine removed from an aircraft;

"ground-based aircraft running" means test operation of an engine attached to
an aircraft. Noise from other airport operations
2.06. (1) This clause applies to noise generated from any of the following
activities:

   (a)  aircraft refuelling;

   (b)  activities in connection with aircraft that do not involve the
        operating of an aircraft engine (for example, moving, maintaining or
        repairing aircraft);

   (c)  operation of plant or machinery;

   (d)  assembling of passengers or goods in connection with embarkation or
        disembarkation of aircraft;

   (e)  operation of fixed audible alarm or warning systems.

(2) Noise generated from an activity mentioned in subclause (1) should not
exceed the background noise level at the sensitive receptor site:

   (a)  between the hours of 07:00 and 22:00 - by more than 5 dB(A); and

   (b)  between 22:00 hours of a day and 07:00 hours of the next day - by more
        than 3 dB(A).

(3) For subregulation (2), the sound pressure level of a particular noise is
the sound pressure level that is exceeded for 10% of a period of at least 15
minutes, adjusted to take account of tonal character and impulsiveness (if
any) of the noise.

PART 3 - COMMERCIAL RECEPTORS Application
3.01. This Part applies to sites of commercial receptors, and a reference in a
provision of this Part to a sound pressure is a reference to sound pressure
measurable at the site of a commercial receptor. Noise from any source
3.02. For sites of commercial receptors, the indicators of noise that is
excessive are the indicators mentioned for sites of sensitive receptors, but
the following considerations also apply in determining whether noise is
excessive at a particular site:

   (a)  the nature of the business conducted at the site;

   (b)  the time of day when the noise occurs;

   (c)  the duration of the noise;

   (d)  the nature and characteristics (if any) of the noise;

   (e)  the background noise level.

PART 4 - MEASURING NOISE Procedures and standards
4.01. (1) This clause sets out the procedures and standards to be applied by
an airport environment officer in measuring noise for the purposes of the
Regulations. Procedure

(2) In making a measurement, an airport environment officer must do so:

   (a)  at the most affected site of sensitive receptor, or commercial
        receptor, as the case requires; and

   (b)  by a procedure that is in accordance with:

   (i)  the relevant Australian Standard (if any) as in force at the
        commencement of these Regulations; or

   (ii) if a procedure is detailed in the final environment strategy (if any)
        for the airport concerned - that procedure; or

   (iii) if neither paragraph (a) or (b) apply - a relevant procedure
        published by the International Organisation for Standardisation (if
        any), as in force at the commencement of these Regulations.
        Construction of buildings, etc.

(3) The standard to be applied in determining the level of noise generated
from construction, maintenance or demolition of a building or other structure
at an airport is AS 1055. Road traffic

(4) The standard to be applied in determining the level of noise generated
from particular road traffic at an airport is AS 2702. Rail traffic

(5) The standard to be applied in determining the level of noise generated
from particular rail traffic at an airport is AS 2377. Ground-based aircraft
operations

(6) The standard to be applied in determining the level of noise generated
from particular ground based aircraft operations at an  airport is AS 1055.
Other airport operations

(7) The standard to be applied in determining the level of noise generated
from an activity mentioned in subclause 2.06 (1), at an  airport, is AS 1055.