Victoria Park Racecourse Redevelopment
Development Application
Assessment of Noise, Vibration & Dust
KBR Pty Ltd
22 June 2007
Development Application
Prepared for
KBR Pty Ltd
Prepared by
Bassett Acoustics
ABN 22 004 873 634
Level 6, 100 Pirie Street, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia
T +61 8 8418 1000 F +61 8 8418 1001 E adelaide@bassett.com.au www.bassett.com.au
22 June 2007
AA1058
© Bassett Acoustics 2007
The information contained in this document produced by Bassett Acoustics is solely for the use of the Client identified on the
cover sheet for the purpose for which it has been prepared and Bassett Acoustics undertakes no duty to or accepts any
responsibility to any third party who may rely upon this document.
All rights reserved. No section or element of this document may be removed from this document, reproduced, electronically
stored or transmitted in any form without the written permission of Bassett Acoustics.
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Quality Information
Document
Development Application
Ref
AA1058-TE001.REP-REV1
Date
22 June 2007
Prepared by
Tom Evans
Reviewed by
Darren Jurevicius
Revision History
Revision
0
1
Revision
Date
16/05/2007
22/06/2007
Authorised
Details
Name/Position
Draft for comment
Final report
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Revision 1 22 June 2007
Darren
Jurevicius
State Manager
- Acoustics
Darren
Jurevicius
State Manager
- Acoustics
Signature
Table of Contents
1.0
2.0
Introduction
1
1.1
Background
1
1.2
Site description
1
Criteria
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
3.0
4.0
5.0
2
Adelaide (City) Development Plan
2
2.1.1
Noise
2
2.1.2
Vibration and dust
2
Environmental noise
3
2.2.1
Operational noise
3
2.2.2
Construction noise
3
Vibration criteria
3
2.3.1
Human exposure standards
4
2.3.2
Structural damage standards
4
Dust
5
Construction phase
6
3.1
Environmental noise
6
3.2
Vibration
6
3.3
Dust
7
Operational phase
8
4.1
Clipsal V8 Supercar race
8
4.2
Horse racing facility
Conclusion
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1.0
Introduction
1.1
Background
Bassett Acoustics has been engaged by KBR Pty Ltd to provide a preliminary assessment report of
the proposed redevelopment of the Victoria Park Racecourse. The report addresses the impact of
operation and construction of the development on noise, vibration and dust within the area. The site
is within the Adelaide City Council region and an indication of probable compliance with the Adelaide
(City) Development Plan and relevant criteria is required for the development application.
The proposed development will comprise the removal of the existing buildings at the site (with the
exception of the Heritage Grandstand), removal of the masonry wall adjacent Fullarton Road and the
construction of a new grandstand. The proposal also includes the realignment of the existing car
race track and construction of a new horse racing track.
The report assesses the preliminary requirements to achieve compliance with the noise, vibration
and dust control principles within the Development Plan, and with applicable criteria.
Our assessment is based on the site plans AES623-A-DWG-002, dated March 26, 2007, and
AES623-A-DWG-805, dated February 28, 2007, provided to us by KBR. The nomenclature relevant
to this report is included in Appendix A.
1.2
Site description
The proposed development is to be situated on the existing Victoria Park Racecourse located in the
Adelaide City Parklands, on the corner of Fullarton Road and Wakefield Road. Figure 1 shows the
location of the site.
Figure 1: Location of Victoria Park site
Wakefield Road
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Fullarton Road
Victoria Park
2.0
Criteria
2.1
Adelaide (City) Development Plan
The proposed redevelopment at the Victoria Park Racecourse must comply with the principles of
development control as stated within the Adelaide (City) Development Plan to obtain development
approval from the Adelaide City Council.
The Victoria Park Racecourse is situated in the ‘Eastern Park Lands Policy Area’. It is stated that the
desired character for this policy area is comprised of:
(a) formal and informal outdoor recreation areas with sporting grounds set amongst dense
woodland plantings of local native species;
(b) Victoria Park being used for informal and formal recreation within a large open sports field
surrounded by the Victoria Park Racecourse and remnant peripheral woodland planting
Victoria Park is also located adjacent to East Terrace along which residences are located in the
‘East End Policy Area’. It is stated that the desired character for this policy area is comprised of:
(a) a distinctive blend of city living, eating and drinking, creative enterprise, arts culture and
shopping.
2.1.1
Noise
The Development Plan has noise criteria to which new developments must comply to regulate noise
emission and intrusion. The criteria are based on whether the new development will be a noise
source or a noise receiver. It is expected that the proposed redevelopment of the Victoria Park
Racecourse will predominantly be a noise source. The sources of noise from the development will
be mainly from the annual Clipsal V8 Supercar race and regular use of the horse racing facilities.
Objective 27 of the Development Plan states that:
Development that does not unreasonably interfere with the desired character of the locality by
generating unduly annoying or disturbing noise.
For developments which will potentially emit noise, the Development Plan states that:
Development with potential to emit significant noise (including licensed entertainment premises
and licensed premises) should incorporate appropriate noise attenuation measures into their
design to prevent noise from causing unreasonable interference with the desired character of
the locality, as contemplated in the relevant Zone or Policy Area.
2.1.2
Vibration and dust
The Development Plan states that, for the ‘Mixed Use Zone’ including the ‘East End Policy Area’,
Principle 22 of development control applies:
The nature, scale and intensity of development should result in minimal levels of vibration, dust,
odours or other airborne particles and should not detrimentally affect a residential or similar
environmentally sensitive zone or development sought within this Zone.
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2.2
Environmental noise
2.2.1
Operational noise
In South Australia, legislation relevant to allowable environmental noise levels is provided by the
Environment Protection (Industrial Noise) Policy 1994 (INP) policy under the Environment Protection
Act. Applicable noise criteria for horse racing events at the proposed redevelopment of the Victoria
Park Racecourse are derived from the INP.
Penalties for the character of noise should be applied according to the INP policy. A 5 dB(A) penalty
is applied for each of the characteristics of tone, modulation and impulsiveness. It is expected that
significant noise from horse racing at the Racecourse redevelopment will be from Public Address
(PA) systems with likely modulation of amplitude. Hence, a 5 dB(A) penalty should be applied for
noise from horse racing events at Victoria Park. For residential areas, the LAeq,15min noise criteria
become 47 dB(A) during the day (7am to 10pm) and 40 dB(A) during the night (10pm to 7am).
2.2.2
Construction noise
The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) state that noisy construction activities should only take
place between 7am and 7pm from Monday to Saturday. If construction work on a Sunday or public
holiday is deemed essential, then it should only occur between 9am and 7pm.
2.3
Vibration criteria
The effects of ground vibration on buildings resulting may be segregated into the following three
categories:

human exposure - disturbance to building occupants: vibration in which the occupants or users
of the building are inconvenienced or possibly disturbed

effects on building contents - vibration where the building contents may be affected

effects on building structures - vibration in which the integrity of the building or structure itself
may be prejudiced.
In general, vibration criteria for human disturbance are more stringent than vibration criteria for
effects on building contents and building structural damage. Hence, compliance with the more
stringent limits dictated by human exposure, will ensure that compliance is also achieved for the
other two categories.
However, construction work is typically assessed against the structural damage standards as in
some cases compliance with human disturbance criteria may not be practical. Note that adjustments
to the criteria are warranted in some circumstances as undue restriction on vibration levels may
prolong operations and result in greater annoyance. The human disturbance vibration criteria are
presented, however it is not envisaged that vibration produced by the Victoria Park Racecourse
redevelopment construction work will produce adverse human response.
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2.3.1
Human exposure standards
Table 1 gives an indication of typical human response to vibration.
Table 1:
Vibration and human perception of motion
Approximate vibration level (mm/s)
Degree of perception
0.10
Not felt
0.15
Threshold of perception
0.35
Barely noticeable
1.0
Noticeable
2.2
Easily noticeable
6.0
Strongly noticeable
AS 2670.2–1990, Evaluation of human exposure to whole-body vibration, Part 2: Continuous and
shock induced vibration in buildings has been adopted as the relevant standard for nuisance
vibration levels. The standard provides a collection of curves that specify acceptable vibration
levels, at each frequency, for different circumstances.
Table 2 provides guidance on the magnitude of vibration at which adverse comment may begin to
arise. Prior education and warning of any sensitive receptor exposed to probable vibration
perception would ensure that potential annoyance is adequately controlled and managed. Note that
regenerated noise (structure-borne noise) may also increase annoyance when construction activity
is close to residential homes.
Table 2:
Building vibration combined direction (x,y,z) vibration criteria, mm/s (rms)
Type of building occupancy
Continuous or intermittent
vibration
Transient vibration excitation
with several occurrences per
day
Residential – Night
0.14
2.0
Residential – Day
0.2
6.0
Office
0.4
12.7
Workshop
0.8
12.7
Table 2 indicates that residences are the most sensitive to vibration in terms of likelihood for
annoyance. In most cases the vibration generated by construction works activities is continuous or
intermittent in character and therefore subject to the lower criteria.
2.3.2
Structural damage standards
Currently there exists no Australian Standard for assessment of building damage caused by
vibrational energy. German Standard DIN 4150 - Part 3 - Structural Vibration in Buildings - Effects
on Structures, provides recommended maximum levels of vibration that reduce the likelihood of
building damage caused by vibration. The DIN 4150 values (maximum levels measured in any
direction at the foundation, OR, maximum levels measured in (x) or (y) horizontal directions, in the
plane of the uppermost floor) are summarised in Table 3.
It should be noted that levels higher than these minimum figures for low frequencies may be quite
safe, depending on the frequency content of the vibration. These levels are ’safe limits’, up to which
no damage due to vibration effects has been observed for the particular class of building. ’Damage’
is defined by DIN 4150 to include even minor non-structural effects such as superficial cracking in
cement render, the enlargement of cracks already present, and the separation of partitions or
intermediate walls from load bearing walls. DIN 4150 also states that when vibrations higher than
the ‘safe limits’ are present, it does not necessarily follow that damage will occur.
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Table 3:
Structural damage ‘safe limits’ for building vibration
Vibration velocity in mm/s
At foundation at a frequency of
Group
Type of structure
Plane of floor
of uppermost
storey
Less
than 10
Hz
10 Hz to
50 Hz
50 Hz
All
frequencies
1
Buildings used for commercial
purposes, industrial buildings and
buildings of similar design
20
20 to 40
40 to 50
40
2
Dwellings and buildings of similar
design and/or use
5
5 to 15
15 to 20
15
3
Structures that because of their
particular sensitivity to vibration, do
not correspond to those listed in
Lines 1 or 2 and have intrinsic
value (e.g. buildings that are under
a preservation order)
3
3 to 8
8 to 10
8
Note:
1.
For frequencies above 100 Hz, the higher values in the 50 Hz to 100 Hz column should be used. Where the dynamic
loading caused by continuous vibration gives rise to dynamic magnification due to resonance, especially at the lower
frequencies where lower guide values apply, then the guide values in the above Table may need to be reduced by up to
50%.
2.4
Dust
1
The NSW EPA provides impact assessment criteria for ensuring that air quality impacts, including
from construction sites, are maintained within acceptable levels. The applicable pollutant for
assessing construction generated dust is PM10 with the impact assessment criteria presented in
Table 4.
Table 4:
NSW EPA PM10 criteria
3
Averaging period
Concentration (µg/m )
24 hour
50
Annual
30
3
The 24 hour criterion of 50 µg/m is applicable for short term construction work. Note that the SA
EPA advises use of the National Environment Protection Council (NEPC) outdoor air quality
2
standards for ambient air quality management. The NEPC 24 hour criterion for PM10 concentration
3
averaged over 24 hours is also 50 µg/m .
The NSW EPA state that impacts for PM10 should be assessed at the nearest existing off-site
sensitive receptor. Typically, PM10 concentrations attained on construction sites are considerably
higher than received at off-site sensitive receptors due to monitoring being closer to the source.
1
NSW EPA, 2001, Approved Methods and Guidance – For the Modelling and assessment of Air
Pollutants (from stationary sources) in NSW
2
NEPC, 1998, National Environment Protection Measure for Ambient Air Quality
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3.0
Construction phase
For the proposed Victoria Park Racecourse redevelopment, the general construction activities
expected to occur are:

demolition of existing buildings and masonry wall

construction of proposed grandstand

establishment of new horse racing track

realignment of existing Clipsal race track.
3.1
Environmental noise
Construction work is only planned to take place during daytime hours (i.e. 7am to 7pm from Monday
to Saturday), in compliance with the EPA requirements.
Noise emission during construction will be managed by the preparation of a Noise & Vibration
Management Plan (NVMP) when construction dates and schedules are known. The NVMP will
outline noise mitigation measures for construction activities where possible, such as:



Site management:
-
orientation of plant so that noise emission occurs away from residences
-
truck movements designed to avoid residential streets
-
minimal use of reverse beepers and horns
-
two way radios used at minimum effective volume
-
location of equipment to take advantage of any noise barriers provided by existing
site features and structures
-
use of temporary noise barriers
Equipment management:
-
selection of low-noise plant and equipment
-
use of necessary power only
-
use of quieter construction methods
-
use of traffic practice controllers
Noise sensitive receiver management:
-
ongoing consultation with affected residents
-
maintenance of a complaint hotline
The NVMP will assist in retaining the desired character of both the ‘Eastern Park Lands Policy Zone’
and ‘East End Policy Area’ as much as is feasible during construction.
3.2
Vibration
Vibration produced by the construction of the proposed Racecourse redevelopment has been
assessed for its effect on both nearby residences and the Heritage Grandstand. Construction work
will be undertaken to realign the Clipsal race track within 14 metres of the Heritage Grandstand, and
this will require monitoring to ensure that the probability of damage occurring to the Grandstand is
minimised.
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The major sources of ground vibration during construction are likely to be compactors and vibratory
rollers. It is not expected that these activities will have significant effects on nearby residences.
Vibration during construction at the site will be proactively managed through the procedures
documented in the NVMP. However, typical measures that will be used to limit the likelihood of
vibration-induced damage to the Heritage Grandstand include:

the establishment of ‘safe’ equipment buffer distances from the Heritage Grandstand through
monitoring of equipment operating in similar conditions at the site, although away from the
Grandstand

the use of flashing light alarms that are triggered when monitored vibration levels exceed alarm
limit levels near to, although below, the adopted criterion.
3.3
Dust
Dust emissions from the construction work will be controlled, in accordance with standard best
3
practices, such that it is envisaged the PM10 concentration will not likely exceed the 50 µg/m
criterion at off-site sensitive receptors. Emissions are predicted to have the highest impact during the
construction of the new horse racing track near to the residences along East Terrace, and these
represent the nearest off-site sensitive receptors. During this phase of construction, water cart trucks
will be used to reduce dust emission. On particularly windy days where the wind is likely to carry
dust from construction works towards East Terrace residences, workers operating water sprayers
will follow targeted activities that are producing significant dust.
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4.0
Operational phase
The assessment of the operational phase is focused on noise emission from the proposed
redevelopment. It is expected that vibration and dust emission during operation of the facility will be
negligible.
4.1
Clipsal V8 Supercar race
The major effect of the proposed redevelopment on the annual Clipsal V8 Supercar race will be the
realignment of the car race track (within Victoria Park) approximately 100 metres to the east of the
current track. This is expected to benefit noise sensitive receivers along East Terrace but increase
the noise impact of the event on residences to the east of Fullarton Road, which reside within the
Burnside City Council area. The removal of the existing masonry wall along Fullarton Road is also
expected to increase the noise impact of the event on these residences. It should be noted that as
an event of special significance, the race is not subject to any environmental noise criteria.
Measurements taken by Bassett Acoustics at the 2006 Clipsal V8 Supercar race were used to
predict the relative change from existing noise levels caused by the realignment of the car race
track. The noise level changes at residences along East Terrace and east of Fullarton Road were
considered. The front row of buildings along Fullarton Road has been assumed to be commercial,
with the noise levels at residences one row back assessed.
Based on the predictions the following approximate noise level changes are expected:

a decrease of up to 2 dB(A) at residences along East Terrace, this represents a just perceptible
noise level decrease. At locations where noise levels are controlled from the Wakefield Road
section of track there is not expected to be a significant change in noise levels.

generally a 3 to 4 dB(A) increase at residences to the east of Fullarton Road, this represents a
just perceptible noise level increase

a maximum increase of approximately 7 dB(A) at the westernmost residences along Alexander
Street, east of Fullarton Road, this represents a noticeable noise level increase.
The measurements taken at the 2006 event indicated that the Occupational Health and Safety
(OH&S) LAeq,8hr limit of 85 dB(A) was exceeded within 40 metres of the racing line. As the
realignment of the race track brings sections of the western footpath of Fullarton Road within
40 metres of the racing line, there is a potential for pedestrians not attending the event to be
exposed to noise levels in excess of 85 dB(A). Appropriate measures will be implemented to prevent
people not attending the event from passing within 40 metres of the racing line.
4.2
Horse racing facility
The proposed redevelopment of the Victoria Park Racecourse is expected to cause an increase in
utilisation of the horse racing facility from six to more than 30 times per year. While noise levels
during the events are expected to be similar to existing levels, the increased frequency of events is
likely to increase the noise impact on nearby residences. Environmental noise levels affecting
nearby residences during these events will be designed to comply with the 47 dB(A) daytime and
40 dB(A) night time limits prescribed by the INP.
Based on the future site plans provided by KBR (drawing AES623-A-DWG-002), a preliminary
assessment was carried out of the likely noise levels at the nearest sensitive receptors from PA
systems at the facility. PA systems are expected to represent the dominant noise source during
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operation of the horse racing facility. This assessment assumed that the speakers were located
along the proposed horse racing track in front of the new grandstand, and were designed to achieve
a noise level of 65 dB(A) at the grandstand. It was also assumed that isolated speakers were
located around the track.
The assessment predicted the following noise levels at the nearest sensitive receptors:

50 to 53 dB(A) at residences along East Terrace

40 to 45 dB(A) at residences to the east of Fullarton Road
The levels at residences to the east of Fullarton Road are expected to be relatively insignificant
compared to traffic noise and to have little or no noise impact.
The levels at East Terrace residences are predicted to exceed the daytime Leq,15min limit of 47 dB(A).
Night time use of the horse racing facilities is not expected. However, the noise levels presented
above represent the predicted noise levels at the residences with the speakers operating constantly.
It is not expected that the PA systems will be operating continuously for 15 minutes and the actual
Leq,15min noise level is likely to be significantly lower than 50 to 53 dB(A).
Additionally, it should be noted that this represents a conservative assessment as the speakers were
assumed to have no directionality. During operation, it is likely that the majority of noise produced
would be directed towards the grandstand and the residences in the direction of East Terrace would
experience a lower noise level. Overall, future noise levels from the PA systems at the proposed
horse racing facilities are likely to be similar to the noise levels from events at the existing facilities.
Additionally, based on traffic data provided by the Adelaide City Council, the average daytime Leq,15hr
road traffic noise at the East Terrace residences is expected to be approximately 55 dB(A). Relative
to road traffic noise, the impact of noise from horse racing events is expected to be significantly
lower.
In order to reduce the noise impact of the redevelopment at residences along East Terrace,
appropriate noise mitigation measures will be implemented during horse racing events. This will
include directing PA systems away from residences, and directing spectators away from the
residential areas.
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5.0
Conclusion
We have undertaken a preliminary assessment of the noise, vibration and dust impact for the
development application of a proposed development of the Victoria Park Racecourse, Adelaide, SA.
The development is to comprise the demolition of existing buildings, the construction of a new
grandstand, the realignment of the car race track and the construction of a new horse racing track.
The Heritage Grandstand is to remain.
The development is situated in the Adelaide City Council region and is in the ‘Eastern Park Lands
Policy Area’, with potential impact on residences in the ‘East End Policy Area’ and residences in the
Burnside City Council area east of Fullarton Road. Our assessment has been based on the
requirements of the Adelaide (City) Development Plan for both of these zones, as well as relevant
criteria for noise, vibration and dust emission:

SA EPA Environment Protection (Industrial Noise) Policy 1994

Australian Standard 2670.2-1990 Evaluation of human exposure to whole-body vibration, Part
2: Continuous and shock induced vibration in buildings

German Standard DIN 4150 - Part 3 - Structural Vibration in Buildings - Effects on Structures

NEPC National Environment Protection Measure for Ambient Air Quality, 1998

NSW EPA Approved Methods and Guidance – For the Modelling and assessment of Air
Pollutants (from stationary sources) in NSW, 2001
During construction, noise and vibration will be controlled through the preparation of a Noise and
Vibration Management Plan. Vibration monitoring and flashing light alarms will be used to
proactively manage vibration impacts upon the Heritage Grandstand during the construction phase.
Dust emission will be managed through the application of appropriate mitigation methods such as
the use of water carts and manned sprayers operating near equipment generating higher than
typical levels of dust as necessary.
Operational noise impact is expected to be significant during the Clipsal V8 Supercar race and, to a
lesser extent, increased use of the horse racing facilities. The realignment of the car race track and
demolition of existing buildings is predicted to increase noise levels by up to 7 dB(A) at residences
east of Fullarton Road, and to reduce noise levels at residences along East Terrace by
approximately 3 dB(A). Measures to prevent pedestrians passing within 40 metres of the realigned
car race track can be used to ensure that people not attending the event are not exposed to noise
levels in excess of the OH&S Leq,8hr limit of 85 dB(A).
Use of the horse racing facilities is subject to a daytime Leq,15min limit of 47 dB(A) at nearby
residences. It is expected that with appropriate design of the Public Address system and an acoustic
assessment, the environmental noise levels at residences will be within these limits.
With appropriate acoustic design, the proposed redevelopment of the Victoria Park Racecourse,
Adelaide, is expected to comply with the noise, vibration and dust control requirements of the
Adelaide (City) Development Plan, and with the relevant criteria presented.
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Appendix A: Nomenclature
A-Weighting
The “A” weighting scale is designed to adjust the absolute sound pressure
levels to correspond to the subjective response of the human ear.
dB(A)
A-Weighted sound pressure level measured in decibels.
LAeq,T
Equivalent continuous noise level measured over a time period, T. This
descriptor is used within the Environment Protection (Industrial Noise)
Policy.
PM10
Particulate matter less than 10 µm in aerodynamic equivalent diameter.
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