Riverstone Business Park

Acoustics

Vibration

Structural Dynamics

Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Gold Coast Kuwait Singapore

Renzo Tonin & Associates ABN 29 117 462 861

Level 1/418A Elizabeth St SURRY HILLS NSW 2010 | PO Box 877 STRAWBERRY HILLS NSW 2012

P (02) 8218 0500 F (02) 8218 0501 [email protected] www.renzotonin.com.au

RIVERSTONE BUSINESS PARK

Noise Assessment for Dog Training Centre

27 January 2021

My Dog Agility Centre Pty Ltd

TL875-01F02 (r1) Noise Assessment

RENZO TONIN & ASSOCIATES 27 JANUARY 2021

MY DOG AGILITY CENTRE PTY LTD

TL875-01F02 (R1) NOISE ASSESSMENT ii RIVERSTONE BUSINESS PARK

NOISE ASSESSMENT FOR DOG TRAINING CENTRE

Document details

Detail Reference

Doc reference: TL875-01F02 (r1) Noise Assessment

Prepared for: My Dog Agility Centre Pty Ltd

Address: 39 Orana Avenue

Hornsby NSW 2077

Attention: MS ANDREA LISTER

Document control

Date Revision history Non-issued

revision

Issued

revision Prepared Instructed

Reviewed /

Authorised

27.01.2021 Prepare report 0 1 D. Kim M. Chung M. Chung

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01F02 (r1) Noise Assessment.docx

Important Disclaimers:

The work presented in this document was carried out in accordance with the Renzo Tonin & Associates Quality Assurance System, which is

based on Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS ISO 9001.

This document is issued subject to review and authorisation by the suitably qualified and experienced person named in the last column

above. If no name appears, this document shall be considered as preliminary or draft only and no reliance shall be placed upon it other than

for information to be verified later.

This document is prepared for the particular requirements of our Client referred to above in the ‘Document details’ which are based on a

specific brief with limitations as agreed to with the Client. It is not intended for and should not be relied upon by a third party and no

responsibility is undertaken to any third party without prior consent provided by Renzo Tonin & Associates. The information herein should

not be reproduced, presented or reviewed except in full. Prior to passing on to a third party, the Client is to fully inform the third party of the

specific brief and limitations associated with the commission.

In preparing this report, we have relied upon, and presumed accurate, any information (or confirmation of the absence thereof) provided by

the Client and/or from other sources. Except as otherwise stated in the report, we have not attempted to verify the accuracy or completeness

of any such information. If the information is subsequently determined to be false, inaccurate or incomplete then it is possible that our

observations and conclusions as expressed in this report may change.

We have derived data in this report from information sourced from the Client (if any) and/or available in the public domain at the time or

times outlined in this report. The passage of time, manifestation of latent conditions or impacts of future events may require further

examination and re-evaluation of the data, findings, observations and conclusions expressed in this report.

We have prepared this report in accordance with the usual care and thoroughness of the consulting profession, for the sole purpose

described above and by reference to applicable standards, guidelines, procedures and practices at the date of issue of this report. For the

reasons outlined above, however, no other warranty or guarantee, whether expressed or implied, is made as to the data, observations and

findings expressed in this report, to the extent permitted by law.

The information contained herein is for the purpose of acoustics only. No claims are made and no liability is accepted in respect of design

and construction issues falling outside of the specialist field of acoustics engineering including and not limited to structural integrity, fire

rating, architectural buildability and fit-for-purpose, waterproofing and the like. Supplementary professional advice should be sought in

respect of these issues.

External cladding disclaimer: No claims are made and no liability is accepted in respect of any external wall and/or roof systems (eg facade /

cladding materials, insulation etc) that are: (a) not compliant with or do not conform to any relevant non-acoustic legislation, regulation,

standard, instructions or Building Codes; or (b) installed, applied, specified or utilised in such a manner that is not compliant with or does not

conform to any relevant non-acoustic legislation, regulation, standard, instructions or Building Codes.



TL875-01F02 (R1) NOISE ASSESSMENT iii RIVERSTONE BUSINESS PARK


Contents

1 Introduction 1

2 Project Description 2

2.1 Receiver Location 2

2.2 Operating Hours 2

3 Existing Acoustic Environment 4

3.1 Noise Measurement Location 4

3.2 Noise Measurement Results 4

4 Noise Criteria 6

4.1 Intrusive Noise Impacts 6

4.2 Protecting Noise Amenity 7

4.3 Summary of Project Noise Trigger Level 7

5 Predicted Operational Noise Levels 9

5.1 Noise Source 9

5.2 Noise Modelling 9

5.3 Predicted Dogs Barking Noise Levels 10

6 Conclusion 11

APPENDIX A Glossary of Terminology 12

List of tables

Table 1 – Noise Sensitive Receiver Location 2

Table 2 – Noise Sensitive Receiver Locations 4

Table 3 – Measured LA90 Background and LAeq Ambient Noise Level Results, dB(A) 5

Table 4 – NPfI Intrusive Noise Levels at Residential Receivers, dB(A) 6

Table 5 – NPfI Project Amenity Noise Levels, dB(A) 7

Table 6 – Project Noise Trigger Level, dB(A) 8

Table 7 – Summary of Noise Levels from Barking Dogs 9

Table 8 – Predicted LAeq,15min Noise Levels, dB(A) 10

List of figures

Figure 1 – Site, Surrounds and Receiver and Measurement Locations 3



TL875-01F02 (R1) NOISE ASSESSMENT 1 RIVERSTONE BUSINESS PARK


1 Introduction

Renzo Tonin & Associates was engaged to prepare an environmental noise assessment for the proposed

dog agility training facility located within Riverstone Business Park at 81 Riverstone Parade, Riverstone,

as a response to concerns of noise impacts from the proposed dog training facility to a neighbouring

residential property. The noise assessment has been undertaken in accordance with Council’s

requirements for noise.

The work documented in this report was carried out in accordance with the Renzo Tonin & Associates

Quality Assurance System, which is based on Australian Standard / NZS ISO 9001. Appendix A contains a

glossary of acoustic terms used in this report.





2 Project Description

My Dog Agility Centre is proposing to develop an outdoor dog agility training centre within Riverstone

Business Park at 81 Riverstone Parade, Riverstone. The facility will run dog agility training courses for

four (4) dogs over three (3) training fields for a total maximum of twelve (12) dogs on site at any one

time.

It is anticipated the noise from the dog training centre will essentially emanate from general operations

of the facility which includes intermittent noise from dogs barking in the training fields during the

daytime period.

It should be noted that this dog agility training centre would train dogs and owners who already have

good dog control skills including the ability to control barking. The dogs will continually be under close

supervision and within the presence of their owners.

The proposed dog training centre is proposed to be located within the open fields at the southern side

of Riverstone Business Park and is shown in Figure 1.

2.1 Receiver Location

The nearest affected sensitive receiver and subject of the potential noise impacts is presented in Table 1

below and shown in Figure 1.

Table 1 – Noise Sensitive Receiver Location

ID Address Description

R1 14 Clive Road, Angus (formerly

the suburb of Riverstone)

Receiver location of the single storey residential property, located

approximately 390m to the west of the proposed dog training facility within

Riverstone Business Park.

2.2 Operating Hours

The hours of operation of the proposed dog training facility will be within the daytime period during the

following hours:

• 8:00am to 6:00pm, Monday to Friday;

• 8:00am to 5:00pm, Saturday and Sunday.

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Figure 1 – Site, Surrounds and Receiver and Measurement Locations

M1

R1

Measurement Location

Receiver Location

Proposed Dog Training Area





3 Existing Acoustic Environment

Background noise varies over the course of any 24 hour period, typically from a minimum at 3am in the

morning to a maximum during morning and afternoon traffic peak hours. Therefore, the NSW ‘Noise

Policy for Industry’ (NPfI – Environment Protection Authority NSW 2017) separates background and

ambient noise levels into daytime, evening and night-time periods. The NSW NPfI defines these periods

as follows:

• Day is defined as 7:00am to 6:00pm, Monday to Saturday and 8:00am to 6:00pm Sundays &

Public Holidays.

• Evening is defined as 6:00pm to 10:00pm, Monday to Sunday & Public Holidays.

• Night is defined as 10:00pm to 7:00am, Monday to Saturday and 10:00pm to 8:00am

Sundays & Public Holidays.

As part of a previous noise assessment study undertaken by Renzo Tonin & Associates, a noise survey

was conducted at a representative location on Wednesday 22nd November 2017 (ref. 'TJ960-02F01

Riverstone Parade Industrial Facility (r1)', dated 13 December 2017).

3.1 Noise Measurement Location

Short-term attended noise measurements were conducted at the following location and is considered

to be representative of Receiver R1.

Table 2 – Noise Sensitive Receiver Locations

ID Address Description

M1 East of 14 Clive Road,

Angus

Short-term attended noise measurement location approx. 330m west of the proposed

training centre with direct line of sight to the training fields, Riverstone Parade and

Garfield Road West. The noise environment was dominated by road traffic noise

along Riverstone Parade and Garfield Road West; and natural sounds (e.g. birds,

insects, etc.). The background and the ambient noise levels at this location is

considered representative of Receiver R1. Figure 1 shows the noise measurement

location.

3.2 Noise Measurement Results

To determine existing background and ambient noise levels, short term attended measurement were

conducted on Wednesday 22nd November 2017 between 5am and 7am.

It is noted that although measurements were conducted outside of the proposed operating hours of the

dog training facility, the measured ambient and background noise levels would be lower than during

the operating hours of the facility. That is, during the operating hours of the facility noise from traffic

movements, nearby industrial and commercial facilities and general urban hum would be higher than

those measured in the early hours of the morning.





The equipment used for noise measurements was an Bruel & Kjaer Type 2250 precision sound level

analyser which is a class-1 instrument having accuracy suitable for field and laboratory use. The

instrument was calibrated prior and subsequent to measurements using a Bruel & Kjaer Type 4231

calibrator. No significant drift in calibration was observed. All instrumentation complies with IEC 61672

(parts 1-3) 'Electroacoustics - Sound Level Meters' and IEC 60942 'Electroacoustics - Sound calibrators' and

carries current NATA certification (or if less than 2 years old, manufacturers certification).

The existing LA90 background and LAeq ambient noise levels were measured in the absence of activity

noise associated with Riverstone Business Park. Although the short-term noise measurements were

conducted in the early morning shoulder period (part of the night period), the measured background

and ambient noise levels are considered to be conservative and applicable to the daytime period as

noise levels generally increase throughout the daytime period relative to the night period.

A summary of the short-term background and ambient noise measurement results is presented in Table

3 below.

Table 3 – Measured LA90 Background and LAeq Ambient Noise Level Results, dB(A)

Monitoring Location LA90 Background Noise Level LAeq Ambient Noise Level

M1 – East of 14 Clive Road 42 48

Notes: 1. Based on short term measurement conducted on Wednesday 22 November 2017 between 5am and 7am





4 Noise Criteria

Blacktown City Council’s policies, the NSW Environmental Protection Authority’s (EPA) guidelines,

Australian Standards, and other regulatory codes do not provide specific noise guidelines for dog

training facilities. However, the NSW EPA sets out noise criteria in its ‘Noise Policy for Industry’ (NPfI)

which provides guidance for controlling noise from industrial sources.

Although noise generated from dog training facilities may not be due to industrial sources, the NPfI

may still be used as a guide to set acceptable criteria for the noise assessment.

Therefore, noise impact from the general operation of the proposed dog kennel facility is assessed

against the NPfI. The assessment procedure in terms of the NPfI has two components:

• Controlling intrusive noise impacts in the short-term for residences; and

• Maintaining noise level amenity for residences and other land uses.

In accordance with the NPfI, noise impact should be assessed against the project noise trigger level

which is the lower value of the project intrusiveness noise levels and project amenity noise levels.

4.1 Intrusive Noise Impacts

According to the NPfI, the intrusiveness of a noise source may generally be considered acceptable if the

equivalent continuous (energy-average) A-weighted level of noise from the source (represented by the

LAeq,15min descriptor) does not exceed the background noise level measured in the absence of the source

by more than 5dB(A). The project intrusiveness noise level, which is only applicable to residential

receivers, is determined as follows:

LAeq,15min Intrusiveness noise level = Rating Background Level (RBL) plus 5dB(A)

The RBL is based on the background LA90 noise levels presented in Table 3 and the intrusiveness noise

levels for the nearest affected residential receiver is determined in Table 4.

Table 4 – NPfI Intrusive Noise Levels at Residential Receivers, dB(A)

Period Rating Background Level Intrusiveness Noise Level, LAeq,15min

Daytime 42 42+5 = 47

Although the noise survey was conducted during the morning shoulder period between 5am and 7am,

the background and ambient noise levels measured during the noise survey can be used to determine

the noise criteria of the daytime period. As stated previously, the background and ambient noise levels

generally increase during the daytime period thus, the intrusiveness noise level for the daytime period is

considered to be conservative.





4.2 Protecting Noise Amenity

The project amenity noise levels for different time periods of a day are determined in accordance with

Section 2.4 of the NSW NPfI. The NPfI recommends amenity noise levels (LAeq, period) for various receivers

including residential, commercial, industrial receivers and sensitive receivers such as schools, hotels,

hospitals, churches and parks. These “recommended amenity noise levels” represent the objective for

total industrial noise experienced at a receiver location. However, when assessing a single industrial

development and its impact on an area, “project amenity noise levels” apply.

To ensure that the total industrial noise level (existing plus new) remain within the recommended

amenity noise levels for an area, the project amenity noise level that applies for each new industrial

noise source is determined as follows:

LAeq,period Project amenity noise level = LAeq,period Recommended amenity noise level – 5dB(A)

Furthermore, given that the intrusiveness noise level is based on a 15 minute assessment period and the

project amenity noise level is based on day, evening and night assessment periods, the NPfI provides

the following guidance on adjusting the LAeq,period level to a representative LAeq,15min level in order to

standardise the time periods.

LAeq,15min = LAeq,period + 3dB(A)

The policy, in accordance with the NPfI, applies an adjustment of (+3 dB) to the recommended noise

levels (LAeq, period) in order to standardise the time periods for the intrusiveness and amenity noise levels.

The project amenity noise levels (LAeq, 15min) applied for this project are reproduced in Table 5.

It is noted that the residential receiver R1 has conservatively been categorised as being in a ‘rural’ area

in accordance with Table 2.3 of the NPfI.

Table 5 – NPfI Project Amenity Noise Levels, dB(A)

Type of Receiver Indicative Noise

Amenity Area Time of Day

Recommended Noise Level

LAeq, Period LAeq, 15min

Residence Rural Day 50 – 5 = 45 45 + 3 = 48

Notes: 1. Monday to Saturday – Daytime 7.00am to 6.00pm; Evening 6.00pm to 10.00pm; Night-time 10.00pm to 7.00am

2. On Sundays and Public Holidays – Daytime 8.00am to 6.00pm; Evening 6.00pm to 10.00pm; Night-time 10.00pm to 8.00am

4.3 Summary of Project Noise Trigger Level

In accordance with the NPfI the project noise trigger level, which is the lower (ie. more stringent) value

of the project intrusiveness noise level and project amenity noise level, has been determined and

reproduced in Table 6 below. For this assessment, the project intrusiveness noise levels are the more

stringent and have been used to represent the project trigger levels.





Table 6 – Project Noise Trigger Level, dB(A)

Receiver Location LAeq, 15min Project Noise Trigger Level

Receiver R1 – 14 Clive Road 47

Notes: 1. Project noise trigger level based on the intrusiveness noise level, which is more stringent than the project amenity noise level





5 Predicted Operational Noise Levels

5.1 Noise Source

Noise from dogs barking is based on previous measurements conducted at an existing dog kennel

facility and are presented below. It is noted that the training centre will accommodate up to twelve (12)

dogs and that a maximum of twelve (12) dogs will be in the outdoor training fields at any one time.

Therefore, for modelling purposes and a conservative assessment the normalised sound power level for

twelve (12) dogs barking has been calculated and presented below.

Table 7 – Summary of Noise Levels from Barking Dogs

Noise Source Descriptor Sound Power Level, dB(A) re. 1pW

12 dogs barking LAeq 96

Notes: 1. Based on previous measurements of dogs barking at a dog kennel facility

5.2 Noise Modelling

Noise emissions from dogs barking were determined by modelling the noise sources, receiver locations,

topographical features of the intervening area, buildings and possible noise control treatments using

the Cadna-A (version 2020) computer noise modelling program. The program calculates the

contribution of each noise source at each specified receptor point and allows for the prediction of the

total noise from a site.

The noise prediction models takes into account:

• Location of noise sources and receiver locations

• Height of sources and receivers

• Separation distances between sources and receivers

• Ground type between sources and receivers (soft)

• Attenuation from barriers (natural and purpose built)

• Meteorological conditions.

Furthermore, in accordance with the NSW NPfI, potential increase in noise levels resulting from adverse

meteorological conditions was also considered. The types of meteorological conditions considered

were:

• Calm & isothermal conditions (acoustically neutral) – no wind and no temperature inversion

• Slight to gentle breeze – 3m/s wind velocity at 10m from ground level between each noise

source and each wind affected noise receiver (as per NPfI default wind conditions). Wind

direction was based on wind travelling from the source to the receiver.





5.3 Predicted Dogs Barking Noise Levels

Noise predictions were based on information and markups provided by the client and the following

assumptions:

• Source noise levels for dogs barking are based on the data presented in Section 5.1;

• The dog training centre will accommodate up to 12 dogs at any one time;

• As a ‘worst case’ scenario, all 12 dogs are located outside on the outdoor training fields with

all dogs barking at the same time (atypical scenario);

• Wind direction has been based on a ‘worst case’ scenario of wind travelling from the source

to the receiver.

Based on the above assumptions, Table 8 below presents the predicted operational noise levels at the

nearest affected receiver location.

Table 8 – Predicted LAeq,15min Noise Levels, dB(A)

Receiver Period Project Noise

Trigger Level

Predicted LAeq,15min Noise Levels

Calm & isothermal conditions Slight to gentle breeze1

R1 – 14 Clive Road Day 47 21 26

Notes: 1. Slight to gentle breeze (ie. adverse wind) conditions with worst case wind direction (ie. wind travelling from source to receiver).

2. 'Worst-case' scenario – assuming all 12 dogs barking within the proposed outdoor training fields. This may not actually occur

in practice.

The results in the above table show that noise from the operation of the dog training centre will comply

with the project noise trigger level at the nominated receiver location during all meteorological

conditions for the daytime period.

Therefore, no further noise mitigation measures are required to further reduce LAeq noise levels.





6 Conclusion

Renzo Tonin & Associates has completed an assessment of the environmental noise impact from the

proposed dog agility training centre located within the Riverstone Business Park at 81 Riverstone

Parade, Riverstone.

Noise impact from the operation of the dog training facility was predicted to comply with the

established project noise trigger level, in accordance with the NSW ‘Noise Policy for Industry’, during the

daytime period and during all meteorological conditions. Therefore, no further mitigation measures

were recommended.





APPENDIX A Glossary of Terminology

The following is a brief description of the technical terms used to describe noise to assist in

understanding the technical issues presented.

Adverse weather Weather effects that enhance noise (that is, wind and temperature inversions) that occur at a site

for a significant period of time (that is, wind occurring more than 30% of the time in any

assessment period in any season and/or temperature inversions occurring more than 30% of the

nights in winter).

Ambient noise The all-encompassing noise associated within a given environment at a given time, usually

composed of sound from all sources near and far.

Assessment period

The period in a day over which assessments are made.

Assessment Point

A point at which noise measurements are taken or estimated. A point at which noise

measurements are taken or estimated.

Background noise

Background noise is the term used to describe the underlying level of noise present in the ambient

noise, measured in the absence of the noise under investigation, when extraneous noise is

removed. It is described as the average of the minimum noise levels measured on a sound level

meter and is measured statistically as the A-weighted noise level exceeded for ninety percent of a

sample period. This is represented as the L90 noise level (see below).

Decibel [dB] The units that sound is measured in. The following are examples of the decibel readings of

common sounds in our daytime environment:

threshold of

hearing

0 dB The faintest sound we can hear

10 dB Human breathing

almost silent 20 dB

30 dB Quiet bedroom or in a quiet national park location

generally quiet 40 dB Library

50 dB Typical office space or ambience in the city at night

moderately

loud

60 dB CBD mall at lunch time

70 dB The sound of a car passing on the street

loud 80 dB Loud music played at home

90 dB The sound of a truck passing on the street

very loud 100 dB Indoor rock band concert

110 dB Operating a chainsaw or jackhammer

extremely loud 120 dB Jet plane take-off at 100m away

threshold of

pain

130 dB

140 dB Military jet take-off at 25m away

dB(A) A-weighted decibels. The A- weighting noise filter simulates the response of the human ear at

relatively low levels, where the ear is not as effective in hearing low frequency sounds as it is in

hearing high frequency sounds. That is, low frequency sounds of the same dB level are not heard

as loud as high frequency sounds. The sound level meter replicates the human response of the ear

by using an electronic filter which is called the “A” filter. A sound level measured with this filter

switched on is denoted as dB(A). Practically all noise is measured using the A filter.

dB(C) C-weighted decibels. The C-weighting noise filter simulates the response of the human ear at

relatively high levels, where the human ear is nearly equally effective at hearing from mid-low

frequency (63Hz) to mid-high frequency (4kHz), but is less effective outside these frequencies.





Frequency Frequency is synonymous to pitch. Sounds have a pitch which is peculiar to the nature of the

sound generator. For example, the sound of a tiny bell has a high pitch and the sound of a bass

drum has a low pitch. Frequency or pitch can be measured on a scale in units of Hertz or Hz.

Impulsive noise Having a high peak of short duration or a sequence of such peaks. A sequence of impulses in

rapid succession is termed repetitive impulsive noise.

Intermittent noise The level suddenly drops to that of the background noise several times during the period of

observation. The time during which the noise remains at levels different from that of the ambient

is one second or more.

LMax The maximum sound pressure level measured over a given period.

LMin The minimum sound pressure level measured over a given period.

L1 The sound pressure level that is exceeded for 1% of the time for which the given sound is

measured.

L10 The sound pressure level that is exceeded for 10% of the time for which the given sound is

measured.

L90 The level of noise exceeded for 90% of the time. The bottom 10% of the sample is the L90 noise

level expressed in units of dB(A).

Leq The “equivalent noise level” is the summation of noise events and integrated over a selected

period of time.

Reflection Sound wave changed in direction of propagation due to a solid object obscuring its path.

SEL Sound Exposure Level (SEL) is the constant sound level which, if maintained for a period of 1

second would have the same acoustic energy as the measured noise event. SEL noise

measurements are useful as they can be converted to obtain Leq sound levels over any period of

time and can be used for predicting noise at various locations.

Sound A fluctuation of air pressure which is propagated as a wave through air.

Sound absorption The ability of a material to absorb sound energy through its conversion into thermal energy.

Sound level meter An instrument consisting of a microphone, amplifier and indicating device, having a declared

performance and designed to measure sound pressure levels.

Sound pressure level The level of noise, usually expressed in decibels, as measured by a standard sound level meter with

a microphone.

Sound power level Ten times the logarithm to the base 10 of the ratio of the sound power of the source to the

reference sound power.

Tonal noise Containing a prominent frequency and characterised by a definite pitch.

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