JPStyles Ltd Environmental Acoustics

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JPStyles Ltd Environmental Acoustics
Sounds Like Conflict The Regulators Perspective
Sustainable Development What does that mean in
the context of noise?
A Simple Idea To ensure a better quality of
life for everyone, now and for generations to
come.

• www.jpstyles.co.nz

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The Ministry for the Environment Say

• These are issues for New Zealand as a whole but
  they are most acute in our big cities. Increasing
  waste production, air, water and noise pollution
  are significant barriers to sustainability.

Overcoming these barriers, however, offers major
opportunities for innovation, business
development, and social, economic, environmental
and cultural gains.
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Local Authority Promotion of Acoustically
Sustainable Development

• Noise is Unwanted Sound
• Balance the need for
• Legitimate commercial activity
• Fundamental transport networks
• A vibrant city
• Appropriate amenity levels
• Limited reverse sensitivity

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Example Resource Consent

• Discretionary RC application for a function
  centre with proximate sensitive receivers
• Issues
• Low ambient background noise in the area
• Night time functions with loud music
• Potential for low frequency noise effects to be
  more than minor
• District Plan has only A-weighted development
  control, (no LF) and standard Lmax limits for
  short term events
• Potential for reverse sensitivity if not designed
  properly

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Discretionary RC application for a function
centre with proximate sensitive receivers

• Assessment Criteria
• Background noise levels, A-weighted, Leq
• Background noise levels, low frequency, Leq
• Maximum short term noise level, Lmax, (background
  30dB)
• Overall, the controls must ensure that the
  activity blends with the existing environment
  as much as possible

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Discretionary RC application for a function
centre with proximate sensitive receivers

• The problems with only an A-weighted development
  control -
• Doesnt account for the typically high level of
  low-frequency energy in music noise
• Not always intended for the control of music
  noise
• Can sometimes be too high or too low for a
  particular location

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No major low frequency component
No noticeable low frequency component Overall
A-weighted level 41 decibels
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Strong Low Frequency Component
Particularly noticeable peak at 100Hz (25dB
above previous) Overall A-weighted level 42
decibels
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Discretionary RC application for a function
centre with proximate sensitive receivers

• Conditions of consent
• Compliance with District Plan A-weighted level of
  Leq 35dB
• Compliance with ambient background level 8dB at
  the low frequencies, (63Hz and 125Hz)
• Compliance with Lmax criteria (ambient background
  30dB)
• Noise monitoring requirements
• Possible limit to number of functions per year
  (if margin above background is high)

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Discretionary RC application for a function
centre with proximate sensitive receivers

• Outcomes Achieved
• The Council believes that reasonable noise
  levels will be achieved
• The new activity blends in with the existing
  ambient acoustic environment to an acceptable
  degree
• The Council has provided for a legitimate
  commercial activity
• The new activity contributes to a vibrant city
• The residential acoustic amenity levels will not
  be unreasonably eroded
• Reverse sensitivity has been limited

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Is this Development Sustainable?(from a noise
point-of-view)

• Of Course!!