❓ Mr. McGowan questions the effectiveness of noise monitoring efforts in North East Rockingham and the government's plans to reduce noise levels. The Minister details monitoring activities, industry noise reduction programs, and ongoing consultation and enforcement considerations.
AnsweredQoN 527Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(b) have the monitoring efforts been successful; (c) what has been the results of these monitoring efforts; and (d) what steps does the Government intend to take to reduce noise levels in that area?
(c) what has been the results of these monitoring efforts; and (d) what steps does the Government intend to take to reduce noise levels in that area?
(d) what steps does the Government intend to take to reduce noise levels in that area?
b) The DEP monitoring of low frequency noise and vibration was inconclusive. However, the KIC's monitoring resulted in the development of a cumulative noise study and model which has, for the first time, established a scientific baseline for cumulative noise in the area. This allows existing industries to be compared against the baseline to monitor noise reduction initiatives. It also allows for new industries and projects to be assessed using the cumulative noise model to determine any additional impacts of noise in the area. c) The DEP has been conducting public consultation meetings with residents of North Rockingham and the three companies known to have been responsible for the majority of the excess night time noise in this area. The companies are Kwinana Nickel Refinery (KNR), Co-operative Bulk Handling (CBH) and Australian Rail Group (ARG). All of these companies have implemented reduction programs to reduce noise emissions. ARG constructed a noise barrier and implemented operating procedures designed to reduce noise levels. KNR placed silencers on specific vents and treated specific pieces of equipment. CBH fitted silencers on specific equipment and modified specific operations. Noise monitoring was carried out by all three companies post implementation of their Noise Reduction Programs and reported about 1% reduction in noise levels. ARG and CBH have recently completed further noise monitoring in the North Rockingham area and the result of this monitoring is unavailable as yet. d) North East Rockingham noise meetings are still being held. The next meeting is scheduled for mid November 2002, when the latest ARG and CBH noise monitoring results are available. The DEP will continue to review individual industry performance through licence reviews and work with the KIC to reduce noise levels in the industrial area. Industries in the area have also been advised the DEP is considering enforcement action if it is found that their noise emissions are still exceeding the Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997.
c) The DEP has been conducting public consultation meetings with residents of North Rockingham and the three companies known to have been responsible for the majority of the excess night time noise in this area. The companies are Kwinana Nickel Refinery (KNR), Co-operative Bulk Handling (CBH) and Australian Rail Group (ARG). All of these companies have implemented reduction programs to reduce noise emissions. ARG constructed a noise barrier and implemented operating procedures designed to reduce noise levels. KNR placed silencers on specific vents and treated specific pieces of equipment. CBH fitted silencers on specific equipment and modified specific operations. Noise monitoring was carried out by all three companies post implementation of their Noise Reduction Programs and reported about 1% reduction in noise levels. ARG and CBH have recently completed further noise monitoring in the North Rockingham area and the result of this monitoring is unavailable as yet. d) North East Rockingham noise meetings are still being held. The next meeting is scheduled for mid November 2002, when the latest ARG and CBH noise monitoring results are available. The DEP will continue to review individual industry performance through licence reviews and work with the KIC to reduce noise levels in the industrial area. Industries in the area have also been advised the DEP is considering enforcement action if it is found that their noise emissions are still exceeding the Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997.
Industries in the area have also been advised the DEP is considering enforcement action if it is found that their noise emissions are still exceeding the Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997.
(c) what has been the results of these monitoring efforts; and (d) what steps does the Government intend to take to reduce noise levels in that area?
(d) what steps does the Government intend to take to reduce noise levels in that area?
b) The DEP monitoring of low frequency noise and vibration was inconclusive. However, the KIC's monitoring resulted in the development of a cumulative noise study and model which has, for the first time, established a scientific baseline for cumulative noise in the area. This allows existing industries to be compared against the baseline to monitor noise reduction initiatives. It also allows for new industries and projects to be assessed using the cumulative noise model to determine any additional impacts of noise in the area. c) The DEP has been conducting public consultation meetings with residents of North Rockingham and the three companies known to have been responsible for the majority of the excess night time noise in this area. The companies are Kwinana Nickel Refinery (KNR), Co-operative Bulk Handling (CBH) and Australian Rail Group (ARG). All of these companies have implemented reduction programs to reduce noise emissions. ARG constructed a noise barrier and implemented operating procedures designed to reduce noise levels. KNR placed silencers on specific vents and treated specific pieces of equipment. CBH fitted silencers on specific equipment and modified specific operations. Noise monitoring was carried out by all three companies post implementation of their Noise Reduction Programs and reported about 1% reduction in noise levels. ARG and CBH have recently completed further noise monitoring in the North Rockingham area and the result of this monitoring is unavailable as yet. d) North East Rockingham noise meetings are still being held. The next meeting is scheduled for mid November 2002, when the latest ARG and CBH noise monitoring results are available. The DEP will continue to review individual industry performance through licence reviews and work with the KIC to reduce noise levels in the industrial area. Industries in the area have also been advised the DEP is considering enforcement action if it is found that their noise emissions are still exceeding the Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997.
c) The DEP has been conducting public consultation meetings with residents of North Rockingham and the three companies known to have been responsible for the majority of the excess night time noise in this area. The companies are Kwinana Nickel Refinery (KNR), Co-operative Bulk Handling (CBH) and Australian Rail Group (ARG). All of these companies have implemented reduction programs to reduce noise emissions. ARG constructed a noise barrier and implemented operating procedures designed to reduce noise levels. KNR placed silencers on specific vents and treated specific pieces of equipment. CBH fitted silencers on specific equipment and modified specific operations. Noise monitoring was carried out by all three companies post implementation of their Noise Reduction Programs and reported about 1% reduction in noise levels. ARG and CBH have recently completed further noise monitoring in the North Rockingham area and the result of this monitoring is unavailable as yet. d) North East Rockingham noise meetings are still being held. The next meeting is scheduled for mid November 2002, when the latest ARG and CBH noise monitoring results are available. The DEP will continue to review individual industry performance through licence reviews and work with the KIC to reduce noise levels in the industrial area. Industries in the area have also been advised the DEP is considering enforcement action if it is found that their noise emissions are still exceeding the Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997.
Industries in the area have also been advised the DEP is considering enforcement action if it is found that their noise emissions are still exceeding the Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997.
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
26 November 2002
Responded by
Minister for the Environment and Heritage
Response time
33 days
a) In 1998 the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) initiated noise monitoring in 1998 which confirmed that noise exceeded the Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997 in the North East Rockingham/Rockingham Beach area. I have been advised noise monitoring was conducted by the DEP two years ago to investigate specific individual complaints relating to low frequency noise and vibration. The Kwinana Industrial Council (KIC) conducted cumulative noise monitoring twelve months ago. I am aware that a number of industries conduct their own noise monitoring. In addition, the DEP has been advised the City of Rockingham is considering a continuous noise-monitoring program for the North Rockingham area.
b) The DEP monitoring of low frequency noise and vibration was inconclusive. However, the KIC's monitoring resulted in the development of a cumulative noise study and model which has, for the first time, established a scientific baseline for cumulative noise in the area. This allows existing industries to be compared against the baseline to monitor noise reduction initiatives. It also allows for new industries and projects to be assessed using the cumulative noise model to determine any additional impacts of noise in the area.
c) The DEP has been conducting public consultation meetings with residents of North Rockingham and the three companies known to have been responsible for the majority of the excess night time noise in this area. The companies are Kwinana Nickel Refinery (KNR), Co-operative Bulk Handling (CBH) and Australian Rail Group (ARG). All of these companies have implemented reduction programs to reduce noise emissions.
ARG constructed a noise barrier and implemented operating procedures designed to reduce noise levels.
KNR placed silencers on specific vents and treated specific pieces of equipment.
CBH fitted silencers on specific equipment and modified specific operations.
Noise monitoring was carried out by all three companies post implementation of their Noise Reduction Programs and reported about 1% reduction in noise levels.
ARG and CBH have recently completed further noise monitoring in the North Rockingham area and the result of this monitoring is unavailable as yet.
d) North East Rockingham noise meetings are still being held. The next meeting is scheduled for mid November 2002, when the latest ARG and CBH noise monitoring results are available. The DEP will continue to review individual industry performance through licence reviews and work with the KIC to reduce noise levels in the industrial area.
Industries in the area have also been advised the DEP is considering enforcement action if it is found that their noise emissions are still exceeding the Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997.
b) The DEP monitoring of low frequency noise and vibration was inconclusive. However, the KIC's monitoring resulted in the development of a cumulative noise study and model which has, for the first time, established a scientific baseline for cumulative noise in the area. This allows existing industries to be compared against the baseline to monitor noise reduction initiatives. It also allows for new industries and projects to be assessed using the cumulative noise model to determine any additional impacts of noise in the area.
c) The DEP has been conducting public consultation meetings with residents of North Rockingham and the three companies known to have been responsible for the majority of the excess night time noise in this area. The companies are Kwinana Nickel Refinery (KNR), Co-operative Bulk Handling (CBH) and Australian Rail Group (ARG). All of these companies have implemented reduction programs to reduce noise emissions.
ARG constructed a noise barrier and implemented operating procedures designed to reduce noise levels.
KNR placed silencers on specific vents and treated specific pieces of equipment.
CBH fitted silencers on specific equipment and modified specific operations.
Noise monitoring was carried out by all three companies post implementation of their Noise Reduction Programs and reported about 1% reduction in noise levels.
ARG and CBH have recently completed further noise monitoring in the North Rockingham area and the result of this monitoring is unavailable as yet.
d) North East Rockingham noise meetings are still being held. The next meeting is scheduled for mid November 2002, when the latest ARG and CBH noise monitoring results are available. The DEP will continue to review individual industry performance through licence reviews and work with the KIC to reduce noise levels in the industrial area.
Industries in the area have also been advised the DEP is considering enforcement action if it is found that their noise emissions are still exceeding the Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997.
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