wa bluemetal

WA BLUEMETAL

NOISE MANAGEMENT PLAN OVERBURDEN STOCKPILING

WA Bluemetal Whitby Quarry Lots 3 & 901

South Western Highway, Whitby

WA Bluemetal Ransberg Pty Ltd

ABN: 32 084 536 764 41 Spearwood Avenue, Bibra Lake Western Australia

PO Box 1457 Bibra Lake WA 6965

REPORT 026.R015.REV0 4 February 2015

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Noise Management Plan Overburden Stockpiling Lot 3, South West Highway Whitby

Prepared By: PMR Quarries Pty Ltd T/A WA Limestone 401 Spearwood Avenue Bibra Lake WA 6163 (PO Box 1404 Bibra Lake WA 6965) T: 08 9434 7777 F: 08 9434 1513 E: [email protected] www.walimestone.com

Document Control Reference Status Date Prepared Checked Authorised

026.R015 Rev 0 04/02/2015 Caroline Scally Roger Stephens Steven Della Bona

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Noise Management Plan Whitby Quarry 4th February 2015

REPORT 026.R015.REV0 WA BLUEMETAL

CONTENTS 1. Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 1

2. Objectives........................................................................................................................................ 1

3. Background ..................................................................................................................................... 1

3.1 Ownership ............................................................................................................................... 1

3.2 Location ................................................................................................................................... 2

3.3 Site Description and Landform ............................................................................................... 3

3.4 Existing background noise levels ............................................................................................ 3

3.5 Climate .................................................................................................................................... 4

4. Project description .......................................................................................................................... 5

4.1 Operation ................................................................................................................................ 5

4.2 Sources of Noise ...................................................................................................................... 6

4.3 Hours of works ........................................................................................................................ 6

4.4 Sensitive Receptors ................................................................................................................. 6

5. Noise Management ......................................................................................................................... 7

5.1 Noise Regulation ..................................................................................................................... 7

5.2 Work practices to minimise noise ........................................................................................... 8

5.3 Complaints handling process ................................................................................................ 10

6. Summary ....................................................................................................................................... 11

Figures Figure 1: Location Plan ............................................................................................................................ 2

Figure 2: 1.Existing native vegetation and screen planting will form a natural noise barrier. ............... 3

Figure 3: Climatic Conditions .................................................................................................................. 4

Figure 4: Wind Rose Plots ....................................................................................................................... 4

Figure 5: Overburden fill area 7.87ha ..................................................................................................... 5

Figure 6: Staging Plan Mundijong-Whitby Enquiry-by-Design Workshop Outcomes Report 2009 ........ 7

Tables Table 1: Freehold Land ............................................................................................................................ 1

Table 2: Noise Management Actions .................................................................................................... 10

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1 REPORT 026.R015.REV0 WA BLUEMETAL

1. INTRODUCTION This report has been prepared by WA Bluemetal in support of the small construction project (Development Application (P03935/08)), to fill land with overburden material. The application has been formally assessed by the Serpentine Jarrahdale Shire Planning Officers and is waiting to be considered by the Council. The assessment of the proposed development determined a Noise Management Plan was necessary, due to the advancement of the urban development (adjacent to the proposed fill site) on the western side of the South West Highway. WA Bluemetal’s Whitby quarry has operated since 1999 and is a major supplier of granite hard rock products for the construction industry. For the Bluemetal quarry to continue operating it is necessary to remove a layer of gravel and clay to excavate the underlying granite product. The overburden is proposed to be stockpiled in a layer of approximately 3m in depth, retaining the natural landform. Excavation and stockpiling of the overburden material is to occur during the summer months when the overburden is in a workable state in a staged campaign over several years.

2. OBJECTIVES Noise emissions and the management associated with filling land with overburden material located at Lot 3 (1477) South Western Highway, Whitby are the subject of this Noise Management Plan. The noise associated with the overburden stockpiling operation has potential to be a concern for existing and future neighbouring residences. The objective is to minimise noise emission levels at residential locations, minimise the likelihood of complaint and not exceed levels in accordance with the Environmental (Noise) Regulations 1997.

3. BACKGROUND WA Bluemetal has operated a hard rock quarry adjacent to Lot 3 South Western Highway for approximately 20 years. The removal and storage of overburden material is a significant issue faced by all quarry operators. WA Bluemetal is proposing to store overburden material in approximately 7.87 hectares of pasture land within Lot 3. This will involve raising the landform with overburden material by approximately 3 metres, and maintaining the existing profile. The area is then to be rehabilitated back with native trees and shrubs.

3.1 OWNERSHIP

The owner of the freehold land, tenement holder of M70/1240, and operator of the quarry is Ransberg Pty. Ltd. trading as WA Bluemetal. Correspondence should be addressed to Head Office.

Land Description Area (ha) Owner(s)

Lot 3 on Diagram 38675

65.2424 Ransberg Pty. Ltd.

Table 1: Freehold Land

WA Bluemetal – Head Office WA Bluemetal – Byford Quarry 401 Spearwood Avenue Bibra Lake WA Lot 901 South Western Highway WA PO Box 1404 Bibra Lake WA 6965 PO Box 1404 Bibra Lake WA 6965 Ph 08 9434 2299 Ph. 08 9525 5200 (Weighbridge) Fax 08 9434 1513

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3.2 LOCATION

The subject site is located on Lot 3 (1477) South Western Highway Whitby, which lies near the base of the Darling Scarp Reserve. The proposed project site is positioned to the west of the previously approved development (P03935/07) for overburden filling, by the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale. See Figure 1 for the Location Plan.

Figure 1: Location Plan

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3.3 SITE DESCRIPTION AND LANDFORM

The following landform features of the site may affect the way that noise is dispersed in the environment. The subject site lies near the base of the Darling Scarp, approximately 50 metres east of the South Western Highway Road Reserve. A winter creek runs along the western and southern boundaries of the proposed landform raising site. Elevation of the land ranges from 85m AHD in the south western corner to 126m AHD along the access road to the east of the site. The site is sloping at 1:15 vertical to horizontal on the lower slopes, grading to 1:12 vertical to horizontal over the mid to upper slopes of the site. Existing road side natural vegetation forms a barrier on the western and eastern side of the South Western Highway, which will offer all year round noise control. Planted vegetation for screening will also benefit as a barrier, see figure 2 showing these areas. Separate geotechnical, water management, visual impact, and rehabilitation plans have been prepared in consultation with suitably qualified consultants and engineers to address the design and management considerations for the project.

Figure 2: 1.Existing native vegetation and screen planting will form a natural noise barrier.

3.4 EXISTING BACKGROUND NOISE LEVELS

The surrounding rural and extractive industry operations have the potential to produce noise, as does the

land use surrounding the subject site, which is a mixture of rural, extractive industry, state forest and a new urban development with building and construction. There is also a high ambient noise from the South Western Highway between the potential noise sensitive premises and the overburden stockpiling operation. The quarry is more than 1000 metres from the sensitive receptors therefore cumulative impact of noise from the quarry and the overburden placement is unlikely to be an issue. WA Bluemetal has operated the quarry at the site for more than 20 years. The experience of WA Bluemetal during this period is that background noise levels are not significant in the area and are typical for a rural locality.

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3.5 CLIMATE

The climate of the area is warm Mediterranean with cool wet winters and hot dry summers. The summer months are controlled by the low pressure heat troughs which develop southwards between the highs.

Figure 3: Climatic Conditions

Figure 4: Wind Rose Plots

Statistic Karnet BOM Site ID: 009111 (17km south)

Mean annual maximum temperature (°C) 22.5

Highest maximum temperature recorded (°C) 44.5 (23 Feb 1991)

Mean annual minimum temperature (°C) 10.5

Lowest minimum temperature (°C) -2.0 (1 August 1994)

Mean annual rainfall (mm) 1156.9

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4. PROJECT DESCRIPTION

4.1 OPERATION

Essentially the operation is a short term acoustic occurrence, from a minor construction activity to fill land with overburden material during the summer months (when the overburden is in a workable state), allowing 5 years to complete the final levels. A dozer will initially be utilised to clear the area and strip the topsoil in preparation for the stockpiling area, earthworks will be constrained to the indicated boundaries (figure 5) of the 7.87 hectare site. The dozer will also be used to build a noise screening bund at the first stages of the project. The operation primarily involves the clay material being trucked down from the quarry, utilising an existing internal access road. The internal quarry access road will be used so there is no requirement for additional trucks to use South West Highway. The access road is sealed and fully screened from the South Western Highway, and the road is also setback a considerable distance to the east. The dump truck will tip the overburden material on to the site (only 1-2 trucks will be on site at any given time), and a loader will be utilised periodically to spread the material when required. At the completion of each stage of overburden placement, the clay will be shaped to its appropriate levels using a dozer; the topsoil will be respread over the completed area, and planted.

Figure 5: Overburden fill area 7.87ha

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4.2 SOURCES OF NOISE

Earthworks during the construction of the project have the potential to generate noise. The project involves short earthwork campaigns of 2-3 months (dependent on suitable weather) per year for a period of up to 5 years. The equipment associated with these operations is once again minor and short term. The noise sources that have potential to generate noise include:

CAT 988 wheel loader – material handling.

50 tonne dump trucks – haulage and tipping raw material onto the stockpile.

D9 Dozer – preparing ground and shaping stockpile to its final form.

Water trucks – dust control. The machinery listed is maintained (including exhaust systems and mufflers) in good working condition, in accordance with the manufactures recommendations.

4.3 HOURS OF WORKS

Operations are conducted during normal working hours of 6:00am to 5:00pm, Monday to Saturday. No work on Sundays or public holidays.

4.4 SENSITIVE RECEPTORS

Noise from the site can vary greatly depending on the distance to each sensitive land use, as well as any intervening topography, vegetation or other external noise emissions. Presently, five neighbours exist within a 2km radius of the project site:

Manjedal Scout Camp

Tumblegum Farm (owned by WA Bluemetal)

Whitby Falls Hostel

Whitby Falls Coach House

Yarrabah Farm (owned by Italia Stone Group) A new urban development site is in early stages of construction, currently 1.4km away for WA Bluemetals proposed development, on the western side of the South Western Highway. According to the Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale Whitby Local Structure Plan July 2012, larger residential lots will be located around the eastern edges of the structure plan, which will provide a design response to noise associated with South West Highway. There are some concerns and estimates the urban development may be completed, and have residents living nearby during the time of WA Bluemetal’s overburden stockpiling operation. An estimated staging map was developed by the ‘Mundijong-Whitby Enquiry-by-Design Workshop Outcomes Report 2009, Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale and Mackay Urban Design’ displaying where parts of the urban development area may develop before others. A 20-30 year timeframe was estimated for the lots to be completed closest to the overburden, see figure 6 for details.

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Figure 6: Staging Plan Mundijong-Whitby Enquiry-by-Design Workshop Outcomes Report 2009

The level of impact to surrounding uses is principally dependent on the following factors:

Level and duration of noise generated by the works.

Distance to the receptor

Climatic conditions

Topography, vegetation, existing structures, etc between source and receptor. In combination with the proposed noise control measures, the topography of the area, prevailing winds, existing vegetation buffers and distances to receptors are such that the works are not anticipated to cause any major impacts to these surrounding uses.

5. NOISE MANAGEMENT

5.1 NOISE REGULATION

Off-site noise is governed by the Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997, where it is required that sensitive premises, including dwellings in non-industrial areas, are not subjected to noise levels exceeding 45 dBA for more than 10% of the time, 55 dBA for more than 1% of the time and never exceeding 65 dBA during normal working hours. There are penalties for tonality of 5 dB, modulation 5 dB and 10 dB for impulsiveness, although impulsiveness is not likely to be relevant. In addition to managing environmental noise from construction work, contractors and employers must ensure compliance with the occupational noise management provisions. Occupational noise associated with the quarrying processes falls under the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 and Regulations 1995 overseen by the Department of Mines and Petroleum. The management of occupational noise is normally handled by providing all necessary hearing protection, as well as conducting worker inductions and educational programs for all staff. Regular site audits of quarry and mining operations are normally conducted by the Department of Mines and Petroleum.

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In the event that houses are built and people living in them within ~300 metres of the overburden area, and compliance with the regulations is questioned then WA Bluemetal will conduct noise monitoring and modify the operations as required to ensure compliance.

5.2 WORK PRACTICES TO MINIMISE NOISE

This section describes the mitigation measures that WA Bluemetal intends to implement to reduce their noise impact. There are a number of management actions that can be carried out to minimise noise generation and these will be used wherever possible. The general management actions are summarised in Table 2, that relate to the site operations. The actions will be used where applicable as the opportunity arises to minimise noise on the site.

Noise Management Procedures Commitments and activities conducted on site

Comply with the Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997

The quarry operations have operated since 1999 near the existing dwellings and have continued to comply with the regulation.

Achieve compliance with the relevant assigned levels from the Regulations.

If it is found the site is generating an unreasonable amount of noise, or the operations are non-compliant, the activities on the site will be brought into compliance with the management measures of this Noise Management Plan.

Specialist consultants may be required to give advice on noise levels and control.

Put in place and maintain adequate noise barriers.

Screening vegetation is already in place and has had additional native plant screening established over the past two years. This will offer all year round noise control.

The urban development has existing fringing vegetation which will be retained on the larger residential blocks to maximise the landscape value retention of the land. These lots abut the South West Highway frontage of the structure area.

The location of the stockpile maximises the use of existing and planted vegetation.

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Once the campaign commences create a bund to form additional noise screening barriers.

There is a current setback of approximately 150m from the proposed design edge of the fill to the future housing lots along the South Western Highway.

Implement a practice were operators and drivers understand the noise requirements of the operation.

WA Bluemetal maintains site inductions and training for all personnel.

Induct operators and drivers on the relevant requirements from the Noise Management Plan.

Drivers and workers advised to be respectful of surrounding properties when arriving, being on and leaving site.

Plant is regularly maintained, and repair or replace equipment that becomes noisy.

WA Bluemetal uses modern, well maintained equipment fitted with high efficiency mufflers.

WA Bluemetal regularly inspects and maintains equipment to ensure it is in good working order.

Wherever possible fit plant with reduced noise level equipment.

Low frequency beepers are to be used rather than high pitched beepers to restrict noise intrusion.

Quarry Manager to ensure operations comply with the Noise Management Plan.

A copy of the noise management plan will be provided to Quarry Manager.

Maintain haul roads. The access road is sealed to reduce noise levels at all times.

Schedule activities to minimise the likelihood of noise nuisance.

Operations are conducted during normal working hours of 6:00am to 5:00pm, Monday to Saturday.

Wherever possible operate equipment in a manner to minimise noise levels.

Avoid the unnecessary revving of mobile or stationary motors.

Shut down equipment when not in use.

WA Bluemetal uses this policy to save fuel and maintenance costs in addition

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to noise minimisation.

Use a community complaints procedure A complaint recording form and procedure for all sites are managed and maintained at the head office.

The quarry is sign posted with the contact details for WA Bluemetal provided. WA Bluemetal welcomes all inquiries in relation to the project from the general public and additionally maintains a complaint management system for any concerns over the operation of the quarry.

Operate plant in a quiet and efficient manner

Turn off plant that is not being used.

Examine, and implement where feasible and reasonable, alternative work practices which generate less noise.

Locate noisy plant away from potentially noise affected neighbours or behind barriers.

Table 2: Noise Management Actions

5.3 COMPLAINTS HANDLING PROCESS

If there are complaints concerning noise once the project has started, the steps below can be followed to address the noise. Any reasonable complaint received, or referred by a government agency is recorded on the Complaints Register. The register will record the following information:

Date and time of the complaint

Date and time of the event or nature of the complaint

Identity and address of the complainant

Resolution or action taken in response to the complaint

All complaints are to be investigated immediately upon receipt of a complaint, if the complaint is substantiated, WA Bluemetal will undertake measures as necessary to ensure compliance.

In the event that complaints are received the Quarry Manager will follow a systematic approach to any complaints received from external stakeholders and / or the general public.

A full up-to-date copy of the Complaints Register will be kept at the head office and made available to Regulatory Authorities upon request.

A sign erected and maintained at the site will include contact details for inquires about the quarry operations.

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6. SUMMARY It is unlikely that the second stage campaign of filling land with clay overburden will have a significant impact on sensitive premises, considering the duration of the works is a minor short term acoustic occurrence, and staged over several years. The extensive distances to the current sensitive premises and the undetermined completion date of the housing lots on the western side of the stockpiling operation, also make the activity less likely to emit noise emissions to surrounding neighbours. Having found the proposal to be a significantly low impact on neighbouring residence, WA Bluemetal

will still continue to undertake the management measures discussed in the Noise Management Plan

to avoid noise issues, if they may arise. In any event the operations can be modified to mitigate any

such impacts.

This Noise Management Plan shows that through a variety of planning and mitigation measures, noise impacts can be adequately managed if they were to arise. The fill location will be managed in accordance with this management plan to ensure no impacts on current or future neighbouring allotments will occur.

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