No. 1-20 Railway Road & 50 Constitution Road · services the T9 Line Hornsby to North Shore Via City. According to Sydney Trains timetable, there is 12 predominately commuter train

Part 1- Acoustic Noise & Vibration Near

Railway Lines

Part 2- Environmental Impact Assessment

Part 3- Acoustic Assessment for Proposed

Boarding House (Building D)

For Proposed Development at

No. 1-20 Railway Road & 50 Constitution

Road

Prepared By: Domeniki Tsagaris(MIEAust),B.E.(UNSW) Australian Acoustical Society (Sub).

Approved By: Moussa Zaioor (M.I.E. Aust), CPENG, Australian Acoustical Society (Member).

Date: March 2, 2020

Amended Date: May 7, 2020

Reference No.: 2020-13 Rev 1

Acoustic Report for No. 1-20 Railway Road & No. 50 Constitution Road, Meadowbank


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DOCUMENT CONTROL

Date Revision History Prepared By: Reviewed and

Authorised by:

20/01/2020 Initial Report Domeniki Tsagaris Moussa Zaioor

06/02/2020

02/03/2020

Final Report

Domeniki Tsagaris

Moussa Zaioor

Moussa Zaioor

07/05/2020 Final Report

Revision 1 Domeniki Tsagaris Moussa Zaioor



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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 Scope of Work ......................................................................................................... 4

2.0 Noise Survey, Instrumentation & Results ................................................................ 5

PART 1: RAIL NOISE INTRUSION ................................................................................ 8

3.0 Acoustical Study ...................................................................................................... 8

3.1 Australian Standard 2107:2016 & Clause 87 of the SEPP ...................................... 9

4.0 Rail Vibration Criteria ........................................................................................... 10

4.1 Rail Vibration Measurement .................................................................................. 10

4.2 Rail Vibration Assessment & Conclusion ............................................................. 11

PART 2: ENVIRONMENTAL NOISE IMPACT ASSESSMENT ................................. 11

5.0 Sleep Arousal ......................................................................................................... 11

6.0 Proposed Mechanical Plant, Car Park Mechanical Ventilation & Garage Roller Door

12

7.0 Acceptable Noise Level from Proposed Development .......................................... 12

7.1 Noise Guide for Local Government ....................................................................... 12

7.2 NSW Noise Policy for Industry (2017) ................................................................. 13

7.2.1 Amenity Noise Criteria .......................................................................................... 13

7.2.2 Intrusiveness Noise Criteria ................................................................................... 14

7.2.3 Project Noise Trigger Level ................................................................................... 15

8.0 Mechanical Plant & Roller Door Noise Control .................................................... 16

PART 3: NOISE IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF PROPOSED BOARDING HOUSE (BUILDING

D) 17

9.0 Existing Acoustic Environment ............................................................................. 17

10.0 Predicted Noise from the Boarding House ............................................................ 18

10.1 Noise from Carpark................................................................................................ 18

10.2 Noise from Music & TV in Guests room & Communal Areas ............................. 19

11.0 RECOMMENDATIONS ....................................................................................... 21

11.1 Windows/Sliders, Doors, External Walls & Roof ................................................. 21

11.2 Air Condition Units, Mechanical Ventilation ........................................................ 23

11.3 Plan of Management .............................................................................................. 23

11.4 Signs ....................................................................................................................... 23

11.5 Noise Management Plan ........................................................................................ 23

12.0 Discussion and Conclusion .................................................................................... 25

13.0 Appendix ................................................................................................................ 26



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1.0 Scope of Work

The aim of this report is to determine the building materials to be used and the construction

methods to be adopted such that the proposed development at No. 1-20 Railway Road and No. 50

Constitution Road, Meadowbank is built to achieve acceptable noise levels as per City of Ryde

Council Conditions/Requirements.

In this report, noise intrusion levels are to be within the limits adopted by Clause 87 of the State

Environmental Planning Policy – (Infrastructure) 2007, Australian Standards AS 2107 ‘Acoustics

– Recommended Design Sound Levels and Reverberation Times’ and the Department of Planning’s

document titled “Development Near Rail Corridors and Busy Roads – Interim Guidelines”, such

that all habitable rooms in the proposed development shall be designed to limit internal noise

levels.

The proposed development is located on constitution Road and is bonded by Railway Road,

Faraday Lane and Underdale Lane in the suburb of Meadowbank (Figure 1 – Site Location).

Meadowbank Station is located on Railway Road, directly opposite from the site, approximately

40 metres north west from the proposed site (Figure 2- Surrounding Environment). The proposed

site is in a predominate mixed-use area, with background noise level dominated by traffic from

Railway Road and Constitution Road, surrounding retail and residential activities, mechanical

plants from retail developments opposite the site as well as railway corridor.

The architectural plans by Fender Katsalidis, dated March 30th, 2020, are for the proposed mixed-

use development comprising of four (4) buildings with seven (7) storey for residential use and the

ground floor for retail use, including three (3) levels of basement parking. The development has

proposed Building D to accommodate as a boarding house. The proposed seven (7) storey

boarding house includes one hundred and sixty-two (162) boarding rooms, communal lounge areas

on each floor and level 7 dedicated as a communal open space.

The nearest residential receivers that have potential to be affected by the proposed boarding house

are located south of the site at No. 21 Bay Drive and west of the site at No. 9-13 Angas Street,

Meadowbank (Figure 3 – Nearest Residential Receivers).



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2.0 Noise Survey, Instrumentation & Results

On February 6th, 2020, an engineer from this office went to the above address to undertake

unattended acoustic measurements. Unattended noise measurements were carried out for a period

of 7 days, between February 6th and February 13th, 2020 at the proposed development near the

building line on the corner of Railway Road and Constitution Road, facing the railway corridor

and Railway Road (Figure 4 – Noise Reading Location Point A). The proposed development will

be affected by the noise emitted from the rail corridor and Meadowbank Station; traffic generated

on Railway Road and Constitution Road; operations and mechanical plant servings the retail

vendors next to the railway station..

The measurement procedure and the equipment used for the noise survey are described below. All

sound pressure levels are rounded to the nearest whole decibel. All sound level measurements and

analysis carried throughout this report are carried with Svantek 957 Noise and vibration level meter

which has the following features:

• Type 1 sound level measurements meeting IEC 61672:2002

• General vibration measurements (acceleration, velocity and displacement) and HVM

meeting ISO 8041:2005 standard

• Three parallel independent profiles

• 1/1 and 1/3 octave real time analysis

• Acoustic dose meter function

• FFT real time analysis (1920 lines in up to 22.4 kHz band)

• Reverberation Time measurements (RT 60)

• Advanced Data Logger including spectra logging

• USB Memory Stick providing almost unlimited logging capacity

• Time domain signal recording

• Advanced trigger and alarm functions

• USB 1.1 Host & Client interfaces (real time PC “front end” application supported)

• RS 232 and IrDA interfaces

• Modbus protocol

The noise logger was positioned on top of existing awning above the shops. The machine was

factory calibrated and calibrated prior and after reading using our Svantek SV 33A S/N: 90200

class 1 Calibrator. Any readings affected by strong wind or rain have been disregarded. The Full

Average Statistical Noise Parameters L(Aeq, 15 minutes), L(A90, 15 minutes), L(A10, 15 minutes), L(A1, 15 minutes)

are presented in Figure 5 – Noise Survey (Point A). A Summary of those readings is presented in

the Table 2.1.



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Table 2.1 - Summary of unattended noise survey at point A between February 6th and February 13th, 2020

Point A Arithmetic Average

LAeq dB(A)

Arithmetic Average

LA90 dB(A)

Day Time (7:00am-6:00pm) 64 53

Evening (6:00pm – 10:00pm) 52 46

Night/Morning (10:00pm – 7:00am) 51 44

A conservative representation of determining LAeq dB(A) is to record measurements during peak

hours service, mainly 8:00 am- 9:00 am. As previously mentioned, a railway corridor is located

directly opposite to the site, approximately 40 metres south of the proposed site, from the boundary

of the development (Figure 1 – Site Location). In addition to freight trains, the railway corridor

services the T9 Line Hornsby to North Shore Via City. According to Sydney Trains timetable,

there is 12 predominately commuter train pass-by movements during the daily peak hour 8:00 am-

9:00 am and approximately 26 during the four (4) hours nighttime from 10:00 pm to 2:00am.

The combined noise level from the different rail operations along the railway track/(s) is highest

when rail service is at its peak between 8 am and 9 am. Any additional external noise that we might

have recorded during that time (environmental noise, noise from human activities, traffic noise,

etc..) would have increased the noise level measured from the railway tracks alone producing a

much higher conservative noise level.

Since the number of train’s pass-by during the nighttime between 10:00 p.m and 7:00 am is much

lower than during the day, it is also conservative to assume the peak noise measured during the

day as the peak noise level of the night.

Attended noise measurement at Pont B is carried out on February 6, 2020 between the time of

8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. ( Time of max. rail movements) at the front of the site 1.0m away from

the kerb. Criteria and mitigation required in accordance with the SEPP are as per Table 2.2 below.

Table 2.2 - Rail Noise Survey Results, Noise Criteria and Noise Reduction Required – Point B-

*Peak measurements for the day conservatively assumed for the night.

LAeq dB(A) - Conservative Sample

Recorded on February 6, 2020,

between 8:00am-9:00am

LAeq dB(A) – Conservative

Sample on February 6, 2020,

between 8:00am-9:00am*

Outdoor

Rail Noise

Noise

Criteria

Noise

Reduction

Outdoor

Rail Noise

Noise

Criteria

Noise

Reduction

63 40.0 23 63* 35.0 28



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Additionally, Unattended noise measurements were also carried out on the southern boundary of

the site (Figure 4 - Noise Reading Location Point C) in order to determine existing background

noise levels. Unattended noise monitoring’s were conducted for a period of seven (7) days from

February 6th and February 13th, 2020.

The noise logger was positioned at a maximum height of 1.5m from the ground. The machine was

calibrated prior and after reading using our Svantek SV 33A S/N: 90200 class 1 Calibrator. Any

readings affected by strong wind or rain have been disregarded. The Full Average Statistical Noise

Parameters charts L(Aeq, 15 minutes), L(A90, 15 minutes), L(A10, 15 minutes), L(A1, 15 minutes) for readings at Point

B are presented in Figure 6 – Noise Survey (Point B). A Summary of those readings at Point B is

presented in the table below:

Table 3.2- Summary of Noise Readings Between February 6th and February 13th, 2020

Point C

Arithmetic

Average LAeq

dB(A)

Arithmetic

Average LA90

dB(A)

Rating

Background Level

(RBL) dB(A)

Day Time (7:00am-6:00pm) * 59 54 52

Evening (6:00pm – 10:00pm) 50 45 43

Night/Morning (10:00pm -

7:00am) 45 40 38

* The existing site is composed of an industrial and retail area, with noise readings affected by the

operations of the existing businesses on site such as CMI Electrical Products, Steel Roofing

Supply Centre and Playon Products on site. These retail vendors operate during the daytime period,

affecting the noise readings.



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PART 1: RAIL NOISE INTRUSION

3.0 Acoustical Study

The development is to comply with the Department of Planning’s document titled “Development

Near Rail Corridors and Busy Roads – Interim Guidelines”.

The noise criteria for residential buildings in Table 2.1 for both road and rail are specified in the

Infrastructure SEPP. Other values in Table 3.1 are based on the Environmental Criteria for Road

and Traffic Noise (EPA1999).

Table 3.1 - Noise Criteria

Residential Buildings

Type of occupancy Noise Level

dBA

Applicable

time period

Sleeping areas (bedroom) 35 Night 10 pm to

7 am

Other habitable rooms (excl. garages,

kitchens, bathrooms & hallways) 40 At any time

Section 3.6.2 – Ground-borne Noise of the above-mentioned standard states that residential

buildings should be designed such that the 95th percentile of train pass-bys complies with the rail

noise criterion for day and nighttime periods as below.

• Daytime period indoor rail noise levels for sleeping and living areas is an LAmax limit of

40dB(A).

• Nighttime period indoor rail noise levels for living and sleeping areas is an LAmax limit

35dB(A).

Ground borne noise is calculated as LAmax (slow) which refers to the maximum noise level not

exceeded for 95% of rail pass-by events and is measured using the ‘slow’ response setting on a

sound-level meter.

Ground-borne noise from rail operations can be generated when ground-borne vibration produced

by a rail vehicle pass-by is re-radiated as noise inside a building by the building structure. The

causes of ground-borne noise from rail operations are therefore the same as those of ground-borne

vibration.

In our situation ground-borne noise is not normally noticeable as it is at a much lower level than

the level of air-borne noise from rail pass-bys. Ground-borne noise may cause annoyance when



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there is no significant air-borne noise affecting a residence, such as where noise sensitive receivers

are located above underground railways or in a mixed-use building integrating rail infrastructure.

In addition, floor vibration levels in habitable rooms should comply with the criteria in British

standard BS6472-1:2008 Evaluation of Human Exposure to Vibration in Buildings (1 Hz to 80

Hz).

Further, when windows and doors are left open, indoor sound levels should not exceed the

nominated noise criteria by more than 10 dB(A). If noise levels exceed the nominated rail noise

criteria by more than 10 dB(A), then the provision of mechanical ventilation should be

incorporated in the design of the building.

3.1 Australian Standard 2107:2016 & Clause 87 of the SEPP

It is usual practice, when we find it necessary to recommend internal sound levels in buildings to

refer to Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 2107:2016 “Acoustics – Recommended Design

Sound Levels and Reverberations times for Building Interiors”.

This standard provides recommended noise levels for steady state such as noise from building

services and quasi-steady state sounds, such as traffic and rail noise. The noise levels

recommended in AS/NZS 2107:2016 take into account the function of the area and apply to the

sound level measured within the space unoccupied although ready for occupancy.

The standard recommends the following noise levels for residential buildings.



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Similarly, Clause 87 of the SEPP states that where the development is for residential use and is

located in or adjacent to a rail corridor, a consent authority must not grant consent unless it is

satisfied that appropriate measures will be taken to ensure that the following LAeq levels are not

exceeded:

- in any bedroom in the building – 35dB(A) at any time between 10.00p.m. and

7.00a.m., and,

- anywhere else in the building (other than a garage, kitchen, bathroom or hallway) –

40dB(A) at any time.

4.0 Rail Vibration Criteria

The floor vibration levels in habitable rooms should comply with the criteria in British Standard

BS 6472-1:2008 Evaluation of Human Exposure to Vibration in Buildings (1 to 8 Hertz) or the

Australian Standard AS2670.2:1990 Vibration and shock - Guide to the evaluation of human

exposure to whole body vibration.

The building line of the development is located approximately 45 meters away from the centerline

of the railway corridor.

BS 6472-1:2008 considers the eVDV levels for daytime and nighttime. The probability of adverse

effects will be low when the eVDV is less than 0.4 during the daytime and less than 0.13 for the

nighttime periods.

Table 4.0 – Probability of Adverse Effects for Different Vibration Levels (m/s1.75)

for Residential Buildings

Location Low Probability

of adverse effects

Possibility

adverse effects

Probable adverse

effects

Residential buildings

16hr day (Daytime)

0.2 to 0.4 0.4 to 0.8 0.8 to 1.6

Residential buildings

8hr night (Night

time)

0.13 0.26 0.51

4.1 Rail Vibration Measurement

Vibration measurements were carried out at the front boundary of the site using a Vibrock V9000.

The vibration dose, eVDV, for each train pass-by is estimated using the following formula:

eVDV = eVDV = 1.4 × a rms × t 0.25

where a rms = weighted rms acceleration of train (m/s2); and



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t = time taken for the train pass-by

While the total vibration for the train pass-by is eVDV (total) = [N(Ve)4]0.25 where N = the number

of identical events.

Using the formulas above, and based on the number of trains pass-by as obtained from the Sydney

Train time table (Plus 1 freight train @ 2 mins. each hour) the eVDV (total) for day was found to

be 0.0069 m/s1.75 and much lower for the nighttime which complies with the criteria presented in

the table from BS 6472-1:2008 as shown above.

4.2 Rail Vibration Assessment & Conclusion

The development will comply with the vibration criteria without any additional vibration

treatments being installed.

PART 2: ENVIRONMENTAL NOISE IMPACT ASSESSMENT

5.0 Sleep Arousal

Section 5.4 of the NSW Road Noise Policy mentions the Environment Protection Authority NSW

1999 guideline which aims at limiting the level of sleep disturbance due to environmental noise.

It states that the LA1, 1-minute level of any noise should not exceed the ambient LAF90 noise level by

more than 15dB. This guideline takes into account the emergence of noise events but does not

directly limit the number of such events or their highest level, which are also found to affect sleep

disturbance.

Applying the above thus the sleep disturbance criteria for the above project is LA1, 1 minute and should

not be exceeded by [ LA90 = 43 dB(A) plus 15] = 58 dB(A) on Railway Road and [ LA90 = 38

dB(A) plus 15] = 43 dB(A) on Underdale Lane façade.

There are other studies on sleep disturbance like the one carried the enHealth Council (2004) and

the guidelines published by the World Health Organisation (1999) were reviewed and analysed in

terms of the guidance on noise exposure and sleep disturbance. The enHealth report states that:

‘as a rule for planning for short-term or transient noise events, for good sleep over 8 hours the

indoor sound pressure level measured as a maximum instantaneous value not exceed;

approximately 45 dB(A) LA,(Max) more than 10 or 15 times per night’.



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6.0 Proposed Mechanical Plant, Car Park Mechanical Ventilation & Garage Roller Door

A range of mechanical plants, equipment and ventilation will be included in the proposed

development at No. 1-20 Railway Road and No. 50 Constitution Road, Meadowbank. Noise

emitted by the use of the proposed mechanical plant is assessed by the NSW Industrial Noise

Policy.

The proposed three level of basement parking is located below ground level and that makes

providing natural ventilation not possible and a mechanical extract system should be used. The

mechanical ventilation system needs to achieve six air changes per hour for exhaust fume extract

and ten air changes per hour for smoke clearance.

A garage roller door may also be located at the entry of the car park. Predicted noise levels from

the operation of garage roller doors have been estimated according to typical rollers doors installed

at other developments. The average time duration for a garage roller door to fully open or close is

approximately 30 seconds.

7.0 Acceptable Noise Level from Proposed Development

7.1 Noise Guide for Local Government

The Department of Environment and Conservation (NSW) published the amended Noise Guide

for Local Government in October 2010. The policy is specifically aimed at assessing noise from

light industry, shops, entertainment, public buildings, air conditioners, pool pumps and other

noise sources in residential areas.

The appropriate regulatory authority (Local Council) may, by notice in writing given to such a

person, prohibit the person from causing, permitting or allowing:

1. any specified activity to be carried on at the premises, or

2. any specified article to be used or operated at the premises.

or both, in such a manner as to cause the emission from the premises, at all times or on specified

days, or between specified times on all days or on specified days, of noise that, when measured

at any specified point (whether within or outside the premises,) is in excess of a specified level.

It is an offence to contravene a noise control notice. Prior to being issued with a noise control

notice, no offence has been committed.

The Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 defines “Offensive Noise” as noise:

1. (a) that, by reason of its level, nature, character or quality, or the time at which it is

made, or any other circumstances:

2. (i) is harmful to (or is likely to be harmful to) a person who is outside the premises

from which it is emitted, or



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3. (ii) interferes unreasonably with (or is likely to interfere unreasonably with) the comfort or

repose of a person who is outside the premises from which it is emitted, or

2. (b) that is of a level, nature, character or quality prescribed by the regulations or that is

made at a time, or in other circumstances prescribed by the regulation.

Additional, Section 2.2.1 of the Noise Guide for Local Government states that a noise source is

generally considered to be intrusive if the noise from the source when measured over a 15-minute

period exceeds the background noise by more than 5 dB(A).

7.2 NSW Noise Policy for Industry (2017)

The above policy seeks to promote environmental well-being through preventing and minimizing

noise by providing a framework and process for deriving noise limits conditions for consent and

licenses.

The Noise Policy for Industry 2017 recommends two separate noise criteria to be considered, the

Intrusive Noise Criteria and the Amenity Noise Criteria. A project noise trigger level being the

lowest of the amenity and the intrusiveness noise level is then determined.

If the predicted noise level LAeq from the proposed project exceeds the noise trigger level, then

noise mitigation is required. The extent of any ‘reasonable and feasible’ noise mitigation required

whether at the source or along the noise path is to ensure that the predicted noise level LAeq from

the project at the boundary of most affected residential receiver is not greater than the noise trigger

level.

7.2.1 Amenity Noise Criteria

The amenity noise levels presented for different residential categories are presented in Table 2.2

of the Noise Policy for Industry 2017. These levels are introduced as guidance for appropriate

noise levels in residential areas surrounding industrial areas.

For the proposed development at No. No. 1-20 Railway Road and No. 50 Constitution Road,

Meadowbank the recommended amenity noise levels are presented in Table 7.2.1 below:

Table 7.2.1- Recommended Amenity Noise levels

Type of

Receiver

Area Time Period Recommended Leq

Noise Level, dB(A)

Residence Urban Day 60

Evening 55

Night 45



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Where a noise source contains certain characteristics such as tonality, impulsiveness,

intermittency, irregularity or dominant low-frequency content, a correction is to be applied which

is to be added to the measured or predicted noise levels at the receiver, before comparison with the

criteria. Shown below are the correction factors that are to be applied:

Table 7.2.2 – Modifying Factor Corrections as per Fact Sheet C (Noise Policy for Industry 2017)

Factor Correction

Tonal Noise + 5 dB

Low Frequency Noise + 5 dB

Impulsive Noise Apply difference in measured fast and

impulse response levels, as the correction,

up to a maximum of 5 dB

Intermittent Noise + 5 dB

According to Section 2.4 of the above policy, the project amenity noise level is determined as

follows:

To convert from a period level to a 15-minute level, a plus 3 is added as per Section 2.2 of the

policy.

Therefore, the project amenity noise level for the proposed development at No. 1-20 Railway Road

and No. 50 Constitution Road, Meadowbank are as follows;

Daytime: 60- 5+ 3=58 dB(A)

Evening: 50 -5+ 3=48 dB(A)

Night-time: 45- 5+ 3=43 dB(A)

7.2.2 Intrusiveness Noise Criteria

Section 2.3 of the NSW Noise Policy for Industry, summarizes the intrusive criteria as below:

While the background noise level known as LA90,15 minutes is the Noise exceeded 90% percent of a

time period over which annoyance reactions may occur (taken to be 15 minutes). The RBL is



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defined as the overall single-figure LA90,15 minutes background level representing each assessment

period (day/evening/night) over the whole monitoring period.

For the short-term method, the rating background noise level is simply the lowest measured

LAF90,15min level.

For the long-term method, the rating background noise level is defined as the median value of:

o all the day assessment background levels over the monitoring period for the day

o all the evening assessment background levels over the monitoring period for the evening,

or

o all the night assessment background levels over the monitoring period for the night.

Therefore, the acceptable Leq noise intrusiveness criterion for the proposed development during

the day, evening and night are as follows:

• 52 + 5 = 57 dB (A) during the day

• 43 + 5 = 48 dB (A) during the evening

• 38+ 5 = 43 dB (A) during the night

7.2.3 Project Noise Trigger Level

A summary of intrusiveness and amenity noise levels as determined in Section 7.2.1 & 7.2.2 are

shown in Table 7.2.3 below:

Table 7.2.3 - Summary of Intrusiveness and project amenity noise levels

The project noise trigger level is the lower (that is, the most stringent) value of the amenity and

intrusiveness noise levels for the day, evening and nighttime. Therefore, the project noise trigger

levels for the proposed development are as shown below

Daytime: LAeq,15 min 57 dB(A)

Evening: LAeq,15 min 48 dB(A)

Night-time: LAeq,15 min 43 dB(A)

Period

Intrusiveness

Noise Level

Project Amenity

Noise level

Day Time (7:00am-6:00pm) 57 58

Evening Time (6:00pm-10:00 pm) 48 48

Night & Early Morning (10:00pm – 7:00am) 43 43



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The proposed development and its activities including all mechanical plant will not exceed the

project noise trigger level at the most sensitive location, provided all noise sources associated with

development and listed in Section 7 below are properly mitigated.

8.0 Mechanical Plant & Roller Door Noise Control

A range of mechanical plant, equipment and ventilation will be included in the proposed

development at No. 1-20 Railway Road and No. 50 Constitution Road, Meadowbank. Noise

emitted by the use of the proposed mechanical plant is assessed by the Noise Policy for Industry

2017, and Council conditions/requirements.

Air-conditioning might also be installed in the proposed development. Typical noise levels for

air-conditions, car park exhaust fans and security roller door sound power levels are presented in

the table below:

Table 8.1 – Typical Mechanical Plant Leq Sound Power Levels

FREQUENCY [Hz] 63 125 250 500 1000 2000 4000 8000 dBA

Typical Car park Exhaust

fan 80 82 84 87 86 83 78 71 90

Typical Condensing Unit 71 69 67 61 58 54 47 44 64

Leq, 15 mins Car-Park

security roller door. 62 57 60 60 68 63 62 57 77

In order for the operation of the car park and basement garage door to meet the requirements of

the NSW Noise Policy for Industry 2017, we recommend the following:

• Ensure maintenance and lubrication of motor bearings, door tracks and joints.

• The proposed security door fitted to the car parking area entrance must be

independently mounted on rubber pads to prevent vibration noise transmission

through the concrete walls and/or columns.

As the proposed development is still in the initial application stage, we recommend that further

acoustic assessment is carried out when the development has been approved and Mechanical

Services plans have been prepared for our review. In general, we recommend that all new external

air-conditioning units are to be acoustically enclosed or set away by more than 3.0m from any

boundary. The assessment of the mechanical plans once available will recommend proper

silencer/(s) and duct lagging such that noise levels emitted from the mechanical plant servicing the

proposed development at No. 1-20 Railway Road and No. 50 Constitution Road, Meadowbank,

meet the requirements of section 7.0 of this report.



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PART 3: NOISE IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF PROPOSED BOARDING HOUSE

(BUILDING D)

9.0 Existing Acoustic Environment

The proposed boarding house, Building D at No. 1-20 Railway Road & No. 50 Constitution Road

in the Suburb of Meadowbank is a mixed-use residential and retail/commercial area. Background

noise levels are dominated by the nearby railway corridor, surrounding commercial and residential

activities (Figure 2 – Surrounding Environment).

The proposed boarding house will include the following:

- One hundred and sixty-two (162) boarding rooms

- Communal lounge on Level 1 to Level 6

- Outdoor Communal Area in Level 7

- Basement Parking with entry from Faraday Lane with Building D having;

o Seventy-five (75) car spaces,

o Thirty (30) motorcycle spaces, and

o Thirty (30) bicycle spaces.

The nearest residential receivers that have the potential to be affected by the proposed boarding

house are located directly south of the site at No. 21 Bay Drive and east of the site at No. 9-13

Angas Street, Meadowbank (Figure 3 – Nearest Residential Receivers).

For the purpose of this report, the most critical nearest residential receiver will be the property

located west of the site at No. 9-13 Angas Street, Meadowbank.

Noise producing activities from the proposed boarding house at Building D No. 1-20 Railway

Road & No. 50 Constitution Road, Meadowbank are categorized into major and minor as follows:

Table 9.1 – Noise Producing Activities from Proposed Boarding House

Aspects Noise sources

Entertainment • Entertainment in Communal Areas (major)

Car Park • Noise from Vehicles (major)

Equipment and

systems

• Mechanical plant and air conditioning units (major)

• Washing and machine operation in laundry (minor)

• Dishwashing, cleaning and cooking in kitchens (minor)

• Lawnmowers and saws in gardening (minor)

• Vacuum cleaners in housekeeping (minor)

Guest rooms • Music and TV (major)



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• Conversation (minor)

• Door closing (minor)

10.0 Predicted Noise from the Boarding House

As stated in Section 9.0 of this report noise levels from the boarding house are classified into major

and minor offensive noise sources. The main major noise sources are:

• Noise from occupants’ vehicles entering and existing the basement car park;

• Noise from music and TV in boarding rooms and communal lounge;

• Noise from entertainment in common room & outdoor communal space;

• Noise from air-conditioning units, pumps and compressors and mechanical plant.

10.1 Noise from Carpark

The proposed basement car park of the boarding house will accommodate a total of sevent-five

(75) car spaces and thirty (30) motorcycle spaces (Figure 7 – Proposed Basement Car Park).

It is expected that most tenants will utilize public transport as bus services are readily available in

the surrounding area. However, some residents will utilize the parking available in the car park.

Access to the car park will be from Faraday Lane. Car park noises typically may comprise of

people talking, car radios and car doors closing. The loudest activity being the noise produced by

the opening and closing of the car park basement roller door and the closing of car doors.

Table 10.1.1 – SPL Levels for Different Car Activities

Car Park Noise Source Average Sound Power Level,

dB(A)

Car Door Closing 91

Car Starting 91

Car Accelerating 91

Car Moving 87

*Activity taking place inside enclosed basement

Table 10.1.2 – Typical car park roller-door Sound Power Levels Leq

FREQUENCY [Hz] 63 125 250 500 1000 2000 4000 8000 dBA

Leq, 15 mins Car-Park

security roller door.

62 57 60 60 68 63 62 57 77



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The predicted noise levels at the nearest residential receiver (No. 9-13 Angas Street, Meadowbank)

due to vehicles entering/exiting the carpark will comply with the criteria of the Noise Policy for

Industry 2017, provided the recommendations in Section 11 of this report are adhered to. Distance

attenuation loss and loss from the enclosure of the parking area have been taken into consideration

when making our predictions.

10.2 Noise from Music & TV in Guests room & Communal Areas

The proposed boarding house will include one hundred and sixty-two (162) boarding rooms and

communal lounge on Levels 1 to Level 6 and outdoor communal area on Level 7 (Figure 8 –

Proposed Common Areas & Figure 9 – Proposed Outdoor Common Areas).

Lodgers may listen to music or watch television in their rooms or in the common room. Noise

from amplified music inside a room can reach approximately 100dB(A) to 120dB(A) at 1m from

the centre of source. The public health in a study of social noise in a population sample of

representative 18-25-year-old showed that the level of preferred listening was 74 dB(A).

No entertainment is proposed in the common areas, but social gatherings may occur between the

lodgers. The following table ( Harris – Chapter 16) lists the sound level of different levels of

speech.

Table 10.2.1 - Noise produced in conversation- at 1m in free field

Descriptor Mean Sound Level

- Male-

Mean Sound Level

- Female

Casual Speech 53 dB(A) 50 dB(A)

Normal Speech 58 dB(A) 55 dB(A)

Raised Speech 65 dB(A) 62 dB(A)

Loud Speech 75 dB(A) 71 dB(A)

Shouting 88 dB(A) 82dB(A)

The noise level from the crowd inside/outside the communal area can be estimated by the

following equation:

𝐿𝑊,𝐴𝑒𝑞(𝐴 𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑠𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑙𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑙) = 15 log 𝑁 + 64 𝑑𝐵(𝐴);

Where 𝑁 is the crowd size.

The sound loss through the façade of a lodger’s room in general and the communal room in

particular is calculated using Templeton/Saunders equation:

𝐿2 = 𝑆𝑊𝐿2 − 11 − 20𝑙𝑜𝑔10(𝑟) + 𝐷𝐼

𝐿2 = 𝐿1 − 𝑅 + 10𝑙𝑜𝑔10𝑆 − 17 − 20𝑙𝑜𝑔10(𝑟) + 𝐷𝐼



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𝐿2 is Noise level at location 2 from the source

𝐿1 is Noise level at the source

𝑟 is distance in meters to location 2 from the source

𝑅 is the weighted sound reduction index of the facade

𝑆 is the area of the facade

𝐷𝐼 is the directivity associated with the source.

If sound from music and TV are played inside the guest room or common room at a level of or

close to 74 dB(A), then the noise transmitted into the most affected residences at No. 9-13 Angas

Street, will comply with the criteria allowed as per Section 8 of this report, provided noise control

recommendations in Section 11 are also adhered to.



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11.0 RECOMMENDATIONS

11.1 Windows/Sliders, Doors, External Walls & Roof

Building Component Rw

Rating

Achieved

Windows & Sliding Doors in all bedroom areas in Building A and Building B facing

Railway road are to be 10.38mm laminated with full perimeter Schlegel Q-Lon

acoustic seals (1).

38

Windows & Sliding Doors in all other areas in Building A and Building B are to be

6.38mm laminated with full perimeter Schlegel Q-Lon acoustic seals (1). 32

Windows & Sliding Doors in all kitchen/living/dining areas and bedroom areas in

Building C and Building D are to be 6.38mm laminated with full perimeter Schlegel

Q-Lon acoustic seals (1).

32

Windows & Sliding Doors in all Commercial Areas are to be 6.38mm laminated

with full perimeter Schlegel Q-Lon acoustic seals (1). 32

Windows in all other Areas (Bathrooms/Laundries/Storage Areas etc) are

unrestricted and to be in accordance with AS 2047 (Windows in Buildings) (1). -

External Doors to be Solid Core 42mm thick, soft plastic gasket around sides, top

& drop seal at base or any other combination having an STC of minimum 30 (2). 30-33

External Walls are to 270/250 mm double brick, brick veneer construction or any

other method of wall construction with an Rw of 44. 44

Roof all Units is to be Minimum 150mm Concrete Roof AND/OR Galvanised Steel

Trough Roofing (0.5mm), on 10 gypsum plaster board ceiling with 75mm thick,

11kg/m³ mineral wool batts between ceiling joists (2).

39-41

NB: This report is to be read in conjunction with the BASIX certificate and any other related building specification. (1).

No Through weep holes in windows/sliders. All gaps between window & door frames and the masonry walls are to be

sealed using acoustic foam Hilti CP620 or similar. Glass wool batts can be applied prior to the application of the foam to

seal larger gaps. (2). All gaps are to be acoustically sealed.

*To limit Sleep Arousal during the night hours between 10 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.



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Glazing Notes -Leaks & Glazing Attenuation-

• The Acoustic performance of a glazing system highly depends on the leaks around and within

the glazing frame and façade. A double-glazing system with Rw of 40 will have its acoustic

performance dropped to Rw of 30 (less than that of 6.38 mm glass) at a leak of 0.1

%. Moreover, a double-glazing system with Rw of 40 will have its acoustic performance

dropped to Rw of 20 (less than that of 3.0 mm float glass) at a leak of 1 % of the glazing area.

• A 10.38mm laminated glazing system with Rw of 35 will have its acoustic performance

dropped to Rw of 29 (less than that of 6.38 mm glass) at a leak of 0.1 %. Moreover, 10.38m

mm laminated glazing system with Rw of 35 will have its acoustic performance dropped to

Rw of 20 (less than that of 3.0 mm float glass) at a leak of 1 % of the glazing area.

• A double-glazing system with Rw of 40, a 10.38m mm laminated glazing system with Rw of

35, and a 6.38 mm laminated glazing system with Rw of 32 will all attain almost the same Rw

of around 20 (less than that of 3.0 mm float glass) at a leak of 1 % in the façade or a

within/around the glazing system.

The graph below shows the actual transmission loss achieved inside a room with different glazing

thicknesses relative to small leaks occurring along the window frame and façade.

• A test report is to be provided from a recognized acoustic laboratory, verifying that the glazing system

(glass, frame and seals) will meet the nominated sound rating required.



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11.2 Air Condition Units, Mechanical Ventilation

We have assumed that mechanical services plant may operate as required up to 24 hours each day.

As previously mentioned, we recommend acoustic assessment of all proposed Mechanical Plant

& Equipment once the development has been approved and Mechanical Services Plans have been

prepared.

In general, in order for the operation of the building mechanical plant and equipment to meet the

noise criteria listed in Section 8 of this report, we recommend that all new external air-conditioning

units are to be acoustically enclosed or set away by more than 3.0m from any boundary.

11.3 Plan of Management

The use of the boarding house is usually regulated through a Plan of Management (POM). The

Plan of Management is to ensure that no music is to be played at any time in the outdoor common

open space on Level 7. It is recommended that when TV or music is played that all windows and

doors of rooms be closed.

In addition, no residents/visitors are to be gathered in the outdoor communal area during night

hours (ie between 10:00pm and 7:00am). All residences and visitors are not to make unreasonable

noise while on the premises.

11.4 Signs

Signs reminding residents to minimise noise at all times shall be installed at entry and hallways of

the boarding house and the common room, to ensure that all music, and sounds are restricted within

the property and not transmitted into adjoining residences.

A sign is also to be placed at the entry of the outdoor Communal Open Space on Level 7, advising

residents that access to the area is restricted between 10:00pm and 7:00am.

11.5 Noise Management Plan

A Noise Management Plan should be implemented and should include the following:

• Install a contact number at the front of the Boarding House so that complaints regarding the

station operation can be made.

• Implement a complaint handling procedure. If a noise complaint is received the complaint

should be recorded on a Complaint Form, containing the following:

- Name and Address of the Complainant

- Time and Date the Complaint was received



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- The nature of the complaint and the time/date the noise was heard

- The name of the employee that received the complaint

- Actions taken to investigate the complaint and the summary of the results

of the investigation

- Indication of what was occurring at the time the noise was happening (if

applicable)

- Required remedial action (if applicable)

- Validation of the remedial action

- Summary of feedback to the complaint

Also, a permanent register of complaints should be held on the premises, which shall be reviewed

monthly by staff to ensure all complaints are being responded to. All complaints received shall be

reported to management with initial action/investigation commencing within 7 days. The

complaint should also be notified of the results and actions arising from the investigation.



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12.0 Discussion and Conclusion

The development at No. 1-20 Railway Road and No. 50 Constitution Road, Meadowbank if carried

out as recommended in plans and specifications and including the acoustic recommendations in

this report, will meet the required noise reduction levels as required by Clause 87 of the State

Environmental Planning Policy – (Infrastructure) 2007, Australian Standards AS 2107 ‘Acoustics

– Recommended Design Sound Levels and Reverberation Times’ and the Department of

Planning’s document titled “Development Near Rail Corridors and Busy Roads – Interim

Guidelines” and City of Ryde Council Condition/Requirements.

Should you require further explanations, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Yours Sincerely,

M. Zaioor

M.S. Eng’g Sci. (UNSW).

M.I.E.(Aust), CPEng

Australian Acoustical Society (Member).



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13.0 Appendix

Figure 1 - Site Location ................................................................................................................ 27

Figure 2 - Surrounding Environment ............................................................................................ 28

Figure 3 - Nearest Residential Receivers ...................................................................................... 29

Figure 4 - Noise Reading Location ............................................................................................... 30

Figure 5 - Noise Survey (Point A) ................................................................................................ 31

Figure 6 - Noise Survey (Point B) ................................................................................................ 32

Figure 7 - Proposed Basement Car Park (Basement 3 & Basement 2) ......................................... 32

Figure 8 - Proposed Communal space (Level 1 to Level 6) ......................................................... 32

Figure 9 - Proposed Communal Space (Level 7) .......................................................................... 32

Figure 10 - Communal Open Space Barrier Fencing.................................................................... 32



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Figure 1 - Site Location



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Figure 2 - Surrounding Environment



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Nearest Residential

Receiver at No. 21 Bay

Drive, Meadowbank

Nearest Residential

Receiver at No. 9-13 Angas

Street, Meadowbank

Figure 3 - Nearest Residential Receivers



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Figure 4 - Noise Reading Location

Point A – Unattended Noise Reading

Location on top of existing awning

away from AC condensers.

Point C –

Unattended

Background Noise

Reading Location

Point C – Attended Noise

Measurements 8:00 a.m – 9:00 a.m



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Figure 5 - Noise Survey (Point A)

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

14

:45

:00

20

:00

:00

1:1

5:0

0

6:3

0:0

0

11

:45

:00

17

:00

:00

22

:15

:00

3:3

0:0

0

8:4

5:0

0

14

:00

:00

19

:15

:00

0:3

0:0

0

5:4

5:0

0

11

:00

:00

16

:15

:00

21

:30

:00

2:4

5:0

0

8:0

0:0

0

13

:15

:00

18

:30

:00

23

:45

:00

5:0

0:0

0

10

:15

:00

15

:30

:00

20

:45

:00

2:0

0:0

0

7:1

5:0

0

12

:30

:00

17

:45

:00

23

:00

:00

4:1

5:0

0

No

ise

Le

vel d

B(A

)

Average Statistical Noise LevelsFebruary 6th to February 13th, 2020

LEQ [dB]

L01 [dB]

L10 [dB]

L90 [dB]



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Figure 6 - Noise Survey (Point B)

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

8:4

9:1

6

12

:32

:22

16

:15

:28

19

:58

:34

23

:41

:40

3:2

4:4

6

7:0

7:5

2

10

:50

:58

14

:34

:04

18

:17

:10

22

:00

:16

1:4

3:2

2

5:2

6:2

8

9:0

9:3

4

12

:52

:40

16

:35

:46

20

:18

:52

0:0

1:5

8

3:4

5:0

4

7:2

8:1

0

11

:11

:16

14

:54

:22

18

:37

:28

22

:20

:34

2:0

3:4

0

5:4

6:4

6

9:2

9:5

2

13

:12

:58

16

:56

:04

20

:39

:10

0:2

2:1

6

4:0

5:2

2

7:4

8:2

8

11

:31

:34

No

ise

Leve

l dB

(A)

Average Statistical Noise LevelsFebruary 6th to February 13th, 2020

LAeq (SR) [dB]

L01 [dB]

L10 [dB]

L90 [dB]



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Figure 7 - Proposed Basement Car Park (Basement 3 & Basement 2)



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Figure 8 - Proposed Communal space (Level 1 to Level 6)

Proposed Communal Space Level

1 – 4

Proposed Communal Space Level

5 – 6



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Figure 9 - Proposed Communal Space (Level 7)



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Figure 10 - Communal Open Space Barrier Fencing

Acoustic Fence as per Section 11.3 of this Report

Documents

No. 1-20 Railway Road & 50 Constitution Road · services the T9 Line Hornsby to North Shore Via City. According to Sydney Trains timetable, there is 12 predominately commuter train