PROPOSED HELICOPTER LANDING PAD 85 MILL ROAD LARA

Transcription

1 PROPOSED HELICOPTER LANDING PAD 85 MILL ROAD LARA Assessment of Helicopter Noise A report Prepared on behalf of: JamCo Constructions Pty Ltd PO Box 631 Yarraville Victoria 3013 Ref: jg March 2015

2 Table of Contents 1. Introduction Site And Environs Noise Assessment Terminology Noise Measurement Equipment Guidelines For Noise Associated With Helicopters Epa Guidelines For Helicopter Noise Landing Sites Australian Standard Site Noise Measurements Measurement Details Arrival/Departure Route Information Noise Assessment Locations Noise Assessment Assessment Against Epa Guideline Noise Level Db(A) Leq Guideline Noise Level Db(A) Lmax Guideline Discussion Overview Appendices Aerial Photograph (Including Tested Arrival And Departure Route) Arrival/Departure Route Photographs Arrival Route (Lower Noise Level Lower Trajectory Arrival) Departure Route (Lower Noise Level Lower Trajectory Departure) Example Of Helicopter Warmup, Takeoff And Landing Event Page 2

3 1. INTRODUCTION Watson Moss Growcott Acoustics has carried out an assessment of the noise impacts associated with the helicopter landing and takeoff site at the commercial property located at 85 Mill Road, Lara. The purpose of the assessment was to identify noise impacts associated with the proposed operation of the helicopter on existing nearby noise sensitive locations located to the north, east, and south east of the property. The noise assessment has been based on the results of measurements of helicopter noise conducted during test flights at the site. The measured noise levels have been considered in terms of the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Guideline for helicopter noise from helicopter landing sites. 2. SITE AND ENVIRONS The helicopter landing and takeoff site is located on the commercial property at 85 Mill Road, Lara. The site abuts Mill Road to the north and west, the Port Fairy railway line to the east, and the Unigrain Lara site to the south. The existing site includes a base building, and a large shed space with northern and southern openings. In addition, JamCo has installed three shipping containers along the north western boundary of the site. A representative of JamCo has advised that the containers were installed adjacent to the north western boundary of the site for the following reasons: Provide additional storage for the site without cluttering the site; Provide privacy for the site; Provide safety for road traffic nearby to site; Prevent downwash blowing outside the perimeter of the site. It has been indicated that JamCo intended to install the containers at the site prior to consideration of the proposed Helicopter Landing Site. 3. NOISE ASSESSMENT TERMINOLOGY The following terms are used in this report: db(a)/la LAeq, T LAmax Decibels recorded on a sound level meter, which has had its frequency response modified electronically to an international standard, to quantify the average human loudness response to sounds of different character. Is the equivalent continuous db(a) noise level (a special kind of average level). It will be a single value that has the same total acoustic energy over a measurement period as a noise varying in level over the same time period. It is dependent upon the number of noise events occurring per day, and the level of each of the noise events. The highest value recorded at a residence on a sound level meter during a takeoff or landing event. The sound level will be set to a "fast" response. Page 3

4 4. NOISE MEASUREMENT EQUIPMENT During the assessment, the following equipment was used at each of the noise sensitive receivers: 12 Mill Road (Environmental Noise Logger) EQUIPMENT BRAND: EQUIPMENT MODEL: INSTRUMENT SERIAL NUMBER: MICROPHONE SERIAL NUMBER: PREAMPLIFIER SERIAL NUMBER: EQUIPMENT CALIBRATION EXPIRY DATE: 21 July 2016 CALIBRATION NUMBER: C Hicks Street (Environmental Noise Logger) EQUIPMENT BRAND: EQUIPMENT MODEL: INSTRUMENT SERIAL NUMBER: MICROPHONE SERIAL NUMBER: PREAMPLIFIER SERIAL NUMBER: EQUIPMENT CALIBRATION EXPIRY DATE: 17 December 2015 CALIBRATION NUMBER: C13683 Acoustic Research Labs (ARL) Pty Ltd Ngara 878OC9 Acoustic Research Labs (ARL) Pty Ltd Ngara Clover Street (Environmental Noise Logger) EQUIPMENT BRAND: Acoustic Research Labs (ARL) Pty Ltd EQUIPMENT MODEL: Ngara INSTRUMENT SERIAL NUMBER: MICROPHONE SERIAL NUMBER: PREAMPLIFIER SERIAL NUMBER: EQUIPMENT CALIBRATION EXPIRY DATE: 12 January 2017 CALIBRATION NUMBER: C15006 Handheld Equipment (Operated by attending engineer) Sound Level Meter 1: EQUIPMENT BRAND: EQUIPMENT MODEL: INSTRUMENT SERIAL NUMBER: MICROPHONE SERIAL NUMBER: PREAMPLIFIER SERIAL NUMBER: EQUIPMENT CALIBRATION EXPIRY DATE: 7 May 2015 REPORT NUMBER: NAC Sound Level Meter 2: EQUIPMENT BRAND: EQUIPMENT MODEL: INSTRUMENT SERIAL NUMBER: MICROPHONE SERIAL NUMBER: PREAMPLIFIER SERIAL NUMBER: EQUIPMENT CALIBRATION EXPIRY DATE: 2 June 2016 REPORT NUMBER: NAC RION NA-27 Sound Level Meter 1/3 Octave Band Analyser RION NA-27 Sound Level Meter 1/3 Octave Band Analyser Page 4

5 5. GUIDELINES FOR NOISE ASSOCIATED WITH HELICOPTERS There are no regulations that prescribe noise limits for designated helicopter landing sites in Victoria. Reference has therefore been made to relevant guidelines and standards. 5.1 EPA GUIDELINES FOR HELICOPTER NOISE LANDING SITES The EPA Noise Control Guidelines (EPA Publication 1254) include guidelines for helicopter noise from helicopter landing sites, as set out below: NOISE LEVEL GUIDELINE CRITERIA The guideline comprises three components, each of which should be satisfied at the nearest affected residential buildings: (i) (ii) (iii) The measured LAeq,T (measured over the entire daily operating time of the helipad) shall not exceed 55 db(a) for a residence. The measured maximum noise level LA max shall not exceed 82 db(a) at the nearest residential premises not in the ownership of the applicant. (See note below) Operation outside the hours of 7:00am to 10:00pm shall not be permitted except for emergency flights. Note: These levels will generally be met by a separation between the landing site and the residential premises of 150 metres for helicopters less than 2 Tonnes all-upweight, and 250 metres for helicopters less than 15 Tonnes all-up-weight. Noise levels measured during the site assessment have been compared with these guideline criteria. 5.2 AUSTRALIAN STANDARD Australian Standard AS Acoustics Measurement of noise from helicopter operations provides methods for measurement of the impact of noise from existing or proposed helicopter operations on the surrounding community. It applies to the noise generated by helicopters on the ground, on approach and departure, and on route. This Standard does not provide an evaluation of the noise compatibility of sites considered for helicopter operation, as the environmental authority in each State governs criteria for the assessment of helicopter sites. The Standard provides guidance regarding the measurement of helicopter noise, but does not provide guidance regarding appropriate helicopter noise levels for a given site. The noise emissions resulting from the proposed helipad use has been assessed by considering the methodology of AS2363 to conduct the measurements, but with the measurement results then compared with the Victorian EPA helicopter landing site Noise Guidelines. Page 5

6 6. SITE NOISE MEASUREMENTS 6.1 MEASUREMENT DETAILS DATE: Tuesday 10 th February 2015 TIME: WEATHER: HELICOPTER MAKE AND MODEL: HELICOPTER TEST FLIGHT WEIGHT: 8:30am 9:30am Calm. Robinson R44 The helicopter flight weight during the assessment was 995kg. It has been indicated by the operator of the helicopter and a representative of JamCo that it is not possible to land the helicopter at the maximum flight weight due to the following: 1. The Robinson R44 helicopter burns 43.2 kilograms of fuel per hour. The helicopter will always be flying in from another location, and will therefore have less than maximum fuel capacity on board due to use. 2. The helicopter will typically be used by a single pilot with no passengers. If the helicopter was refueled to capacity (126kg of fuel), and the pilot was 105kg, the overall helicopter weight will be 937kg, and therefore less that the weight of the helicopter during the noise test. 6.2 ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE ROUTE INFORMATION During the noise testing the approximate helicopter arrival and departure routes were as follows: Arrival Procedure: Approach site from north east at high level (approximately 500 feet above ground level (AGL)). The flight path is to the south east of the railway line. At 1600 metres north east of the landing point, helicopter begins descent. The helicopter rate of descent is constant until helicopter reaches helipad location. As the helicopter approaches and is approximately 160 metres to the north east of the landing location, the pilot heads west south west toward the landing location, and crosses the railway line. Helicopter hovers just above ground, and then lands at helipad location. Page 6

7 Departure Procedure: Helicopter leaves ground at helipad location. Helicopter departs site toward north east. As the helicopter departs and is approximately 160 metres to the north east of the landing location, the pilot heads east north east, and crosses the railway line. The flight path is to the southeast of the railway line. The helicopter rate of ascent is constant until helicopter reaches 500 feet above ground level, 1600 metres north of the landing location. 6.3 NOISE ASSESSMENT LOCATIONS Approximate distance from NE SW landing site landing site 1. Adjacent to south eastern boundary of 12 Mill Road (At set back of residential dwelling) 2. Adjacent to north eastern boundary of 33 Hicks Street (At location representative of noise exposure at residential dwelling) 3. At north western corner of residential boundary of Clover Street The measurement locations are indicated on the attached plan of the area. The helicopter noise measurements were conducted in general accordance with the Australian Standard AS Acoustics Measurement of noise from helicopter operations methodology. 7. NOISE ASSESSMENT 7.1 ASSESSMENT AGAINST EPA GUIDELINE Noise Level db(a) Leq Guideline It has been indicated that up to one takeoff and one landing will occur per day, with a maximum of three per week, based on the measured values during the testing the Leq (long term average) criterion does not require examination Noise Level db(a) Lmax Guideline During the noise level survey, noise level measurements were carried out during several arrival and take off events. During the initial departure and arrival event, measured noise levels associated with the helicopter flight path selected by the pilot were in the order of 82 db(a) Lmax when assessed at the most critical 12 Mill Road site. The measured values achieved compliance with the EPA guideline value of 82 db(a). Page 7

8 A noise level trace of the initial helicopter warm up, departure and arrival events have been attached in Appendix 9.2. Based on discussions between the helicopter pilot and the attending engineer located at ground level adjacent to the 12 Mill Road site, it was determined that a flight path with a lower trajectory may result in lower noise levels at the nearby residences. Photographs of the lower trajectory arrival and departure procedures have been attached in Appendix 9.1. A summary of the measured maximum noise level values during the lower trajectory arrival and departure routes developed by WMG and pilot are described below: Measurement Location Test Sequence Number Helicopter Movement Measured Noise Level Guideline Criteria Warming Up Northern Landing Location 61 db(a) L max 82 db(a) L max Adjacent to south eastern boundary of 12 Mill Road, Lara 1 2 Departing from Northern Landing Location toward North Arriving at Northern Landing Departing from Northern Landing Location toward North Arriving at Northern Landing 81 db(a) L max 82 db(a) L max 81 db(a) L max 82 db(a) L max 79 db(a) L max 82 db(a) L max 80 db(a) L max 82 db(a) L max 3 Departing from Southern Landing Location toward Arriving at Southern Landing 80 db(a) L max 82 db(a) L max 80 db(a) L max 82 db(a) L max Measurement Location Test Sequence Number Helicopter Movement Measured Noise Level Guideline Criteria Warming Up Northern Landing Location 50 db(a) L max 82 db(a) L max Adjacent to north eastern boundary of 33 Hicks Street, Lara 1 2 Departing from Northern Landing Location toward North Arriving at Northern Landing Departing from Northern Landing Location toward North Arriving at Northern Landing 73 db(a) L max 82 db(a) L max 73 db(a) L max 82 db(a) L max 67 db(a) L max 82 db(a) L max 71 db(a) L max 82 db(a) L max 3 Departing from Southern Landing Location toward Arriving at Southern Landing 77 db(a) L max 82 db(a) L max 79 db(a) L max 82 db(a) L max Page 8

9 Measurement Location Test Sequence Number Helicopter Movement Measured Noise Level Guideline Criteria Warming Up Northern Landing Location 50 db(a) L max 82 db(a) L max Adjacent to north western corner of boundary of Clover Street, Lara 1 2 Departing from Northern Landing Location toward North Arriving at Northern Landing Departing from Northern Landing Location toward North Arriving at Northern Landing 75 db(a) L max 82 db(a) L max 73 db(a) L max 82 db(a) L max 75 db(a) L max 82 db(a) L max 73 db(a) L max 82 db(a) L max 3 Departing from Southern Landing Location toward Arriving at Southern Landing 75 db(a) L max 82 db(a) L max 78 db(a) L max 82 db(a) L max 7.2 DISCUSSION During the noise assessment, the attending engineers carried out noise measurements adjacent to the south eastern boundary of 12 Mill Road, adjacent to the north eastern boundary of 33 Hicks Street, and at the north western corner of the Clover Street property boundary. Noise measurements were carried out during the following relevant helicopter movement scenarios: Depart from north eastern landing location toward north east. Arrive at north eastern landing location from north east. Depart from south western landing location toward north east. Arrive at south western landing location from north east. The tested helicopter arrival and departure procedures were selected based on noise measurements and site observations by the attending engineers located at ground level, combined with information provided by the helicopter pilot during the testing. The measured noise levels were in the range db(a) Lmax at the 12 Mill Road assessment location, db(a) Lmax at the 33 Hicks Street assessment location, and db(a) Lmax at the Clover Street assessment location. The measured results indicate that during the described arrival and departure routes, maximum values associated with helicopter movements will be equal to or lower than those described in the EPA guideline at each of the nearby noise sensitive locations. Based on site observations and measurements of helicopter arrival and departure procedures at this site and at other sites, maximum noise levels associated with arrival and departure procedures do not occur at the landing pad location, but rather when the helicopter is elevated above ground level and approaching or departing the site. On this basis, it is anticipated that the shipping containers on the site will not affect the overall maximum noise levels associated with the helicopter movements at any of the nearby noise sensitive receivers. Page 9

10 8. OVERVIEW Watson Moss Growcott Acoustics has carried out noise level measurements associated with helicopter landing and takeoff movements from the commercial site described as 85 Mill Road, Lara. The noise level survey was carried out during the period 8:30am and 9:30am on Tuesday 10 th February The helicopter operating during the noise levels survey was a Robinson R44 helicopter. Residual noise levels occurring during takeoffs and landings were measured at three nearby noise sensitive locations. The measured values have been compared with the Victorian EPA Guidelines for helicopter noise. Based on measured values, and expected number of movements indicated by the helicopter operator, the daily average db(a) Leq criteria will be complied with, and will not require further examination. The more limiting criteria will be associated with maximum noise levels occurring during helicopter movements. Based on the above assessment, and providing the approved tested procedures are adhered to during operation, the proposed use of the Robinson R44 helicopter at the helipad at the 85 Mill Road site will not exceed the maximum noise level of 82 db(a) Lmax described in the Victorian EPA Guidelines for helicopter noise at any of the nearby noise sensitive receivers. During the previous noise assessment carried out in July 2014, the pilot weight was 70kg, the fuel weight was 43kg, and the overall weight of the helicopter was 825kg. The overall weight of the helicopter during the February 2015 noise assessment was 995kg. Based on the measured noise levels during each of the noise assessments, the variation in overall flight weight of the helicopter did not significantly affect the measured noise levels associated with the helicopter at each of the nearby noise sensitive locations. JORDAN GROWCOTT WATSON MOSS GROWCOTT acoustics pty ltd Page 10

11 9. APPENDICES 9.1 AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH (INCLUDING TESTED ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE ROUTE) Noise Sensitive Receiver: 12 Mill Road Assessment Location North Eastern Landing Location South Western Landing Location Approximate Tested Arrival/Departure Route Assessment Location Assessment Location Noise Sensitive Receiver: 33 Hicks Street Noise Sensitive Receiver: Clover Street Page 11

12 9.2 ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE ROUTE PHOTOGRAPHS Arrival Route (Lower noise level lower trajectory arrival) Page 12

13 9.2.1 Departure Route (Lower noise level lower trajectory departure) Page 13

14 9.3 EXAMPLE OF HELICOPTER WARMUP, TAKEOFF AND LANDING EVENT Page 14