21 August 2008 Chapter 22- Noise 22.0 Noise 22.1 Introduction Noise is a normal part of most activities and a necessary part of day to day life. Provision for appropriate activities through the Plan needs to include provision for reasonable noise associated with those activities. At the same time, unreasonable, excessive or unnecessary noise should be controlled. Whether that noise should be subject to control will depend in many cases on the circumstances. For example, lower noise levels are properly associated with residential amenities, however, this needs to be balanced in particular circumstances, such as in Picton, with associated or nearby port activity. In such circumstances the plan provisions need to reflect the established use of these areas and the general acceptance by neighbouring residences of the existing ambience when assessing the effects of noise. Noise can affect people physically, psychologically and socially. Absence of adverse noise effects positively contributes to amenity values and is consequently an indication of sustainable resource management. Generally, complaints occur when noise is at sufficient levels to create adverse effects. The desirable upper limit for night time noise exposure is determined by criteria to protect the community from either disturbance to the onset of sleep or awakening thresholds of noise for the average person. However, adverse effects of noise are subjective and influenced by: • Time, frequency and duration of noise; and • Individual sensitisation to a particular noise. Most frequent noise related complaints arise from: • Music – band practices, parties, public bars; • Industrial operations – generators, processing equipment and machinery; • Transportation – vehicle movement, loading and unloading vehicles; • Rural activities – crop sowing, tending and harvesting • machinery and equipment, animals; • Home occupations – tools, machinery; and • Barking dogs. The Council has set limits for noise around the Port Zone which reflect existing levels of noise from port related activities at the ports of Picton and Havelock. This is considered an appropriate approach given that there have been no complaints from residents in Picton about existing levels of noise from activities at the port of Picton over recent years and no complaints from residents in Havelock about existing levels of noise from Sanford's factory, wharf and the main wharf areas. Furthermore, section 16 of the Act continues to apply, requiring all persons including those using the ports to use the best practicable options to ensure that their emissions of noise do not exceed reasonable levels. 22 - 1