NSW Sport & Recreation · shows a plot of wind speeds during the monitoring period. ... dominated by natural sounds, ... This report has been prepared for Communities NSW (Sport &

NSW Sport & Recreation

Southern Highlands Regional Shooting Complex

Compliance Noise Monitoring

June 2010

21/17850/90833 Southern Highlands Regional Shooting Complex Compliance Noise Monitoring

Contents

1. Introduction 1

2. Attended Noise Monitoring 2

2.1 Monitoring Methodology and Locations 2

2.2 Types of Firearms 4

2.3 Meteorological Conditions 4

2.4 Noise Monitoring Results 5

3. Conclusions 7

4. Limitations 8

Table Index Table 2-1 Summary of Measured Peak Hold (Linear) Levels 6

Figure Index Figure 1 Attended Noise Monitoring Locations 3

Figure 2 Average Wind Speeds During the Monitoring Period (m/s) 5

Appendices A Attended Noise Monitoring Results

1. Introduction

GHD were engaged by Communities NSW (Sport and Recreation) to undertake compliance noise monitoring at the Southern Highlands Regional Shooting Complex, located on Wattle Ridge Road, near

Hill Top, NSW.

This assessment relates to the existing 800 m rifle range and has been based on the Conditions of Approval for the use of this range. The Conditions of Approval note that attended noise monitoring be

undertaken on the first three occasions of the use of the 800 m range and must include the use of the known noisiest firearms.

The Conditions of Approval A9 (Firearms Noise Levels) states that noise from firearms or use of the site

must not exceed 75 dB(Lin)1 peak hold at the boundary to any existing private property with a residential dwelling, or where the boundary is more than 30 metres, at the most affected location within 30 m from the dwelling.

This assessment has also been prepared with consideration to Chapter 164 of the Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) Environmental Noise Control Manual (ENCM), Target Shooting Ranges.

1 Sound levels measured without any weightings are referred to as “linear” and the units are expressed as dB(lin).

1 21/17850/90833 Southern Highlands Regional Shooting Complex Compliance Noise Monitoring

2. Attended Noise Monitoring

2.1 Monitoring Methodology and Locations

Attended noise monitoring was undertaken at four selected locations on each of three consecutive days

(Friday 18 June, Saturday 19 June and Sunday 20 June), as prescribed by Communities NSW. These locations were identified as:

Attended Location 1 (A1) - Cul de sac at the end of Rocky Water Holes Road, Errington

(approximately 3.9 km south of the existing range).

Attended Location 2 (A2) - Cul de sac at the end of Starlight Place, Hill Top (approximately 3.5 km

south-south-south east from the existing rifle range).

Attended Location 3 (A3) - On Wattle Ridge Road, western boundary of 25 Lyrebird Close, Hill Top

(residence located on the corner of Wattle Ridge Road and Lyrebird Close, Hill Top, approximately 4 km south-east from the existing rifle range).

Attended Location 4 (A4) - Wattle Ridge Property, located north-west of the site at the end of Wattle Ridge Road (approximately 4 km from the existing rifle range). Monitoring was undertaken in a cleared paddock along the boundary adjoining the site, approximately 1.6 km from the residence.

In addition to the above locations, GHD also conducted noise monitoring at the residential property of 4 Starlight Place, close to monitoring location A2. Monitoring at this location was requested by the local

Hill Top community and was agreed on after consultation with Communities NSW.

Noise levels of peak (hold) linear (LZ(peak)) were recorded at all monitoring locations for comparison to the

recommended criterion. Monitoring was conducted using a Larsen Davis 831 sound level meter (serial number 1256).

Attended monitoring locations are shown in Figure 2-1.


Figure 2-1 Attended Noise Monitoring Locations


2.2 Types of Firearms

Firearms that were used over the monitoring period mainly consisted of shotguns and various types of

rifles. The types of firearms used during the monitoring were:

Shotguns – 12 gauge shotgun, 16 gauge shotgun and 20 gauge shotgun.

Rifles – 0.303 rifle, 0.308 rifle (same calibre as military rifles), 0.223 rifle, 7.62mm Nato rifle (military approved), 0.22 Rimfire rifle, 0.45 Black Powder rifle and 6.5 rifle.

It was noted that a mix of hand loaded ammunition and factory ammunition was used during the monitoring.

Firing was undertaken at the 100 m, 300 m and 800 m range.

2.3 Meteorological Conditions

Weather conditions were recorded using GHD’s automatic weather station which was set up at location A4 to record average weather conditions every minute during the monitoring period. A portable anemometer was also used to check local wind speeds and wind gusts at other monitoring locations.

Weather conditions during the monitoring period were noted as being fine and sunny with prevailing winds from the west, west-southwest and southwest. Air temperatures ranged from 8 – 16 degrees Celsius and relative humidity levels were between 60 – 85%.

Figure 2-2 shows a plot of wind speeds during the monitoring period. Average wind speeds were mainly between 1 – 3 metres per second. During occasional times of strong winds, wind gusts were recorded at over 4 metres per second. Noise monitoring was not conducted during these times, as conditions were

considered unfavourable for accurate noise readings.


Wind Speeds 10am to 5pm

0

1

2

3

4

10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00

Time of Day

Win

d S

pe

ed

(m

/s)

Friday 18 June

Saturday 19 June

Sunday 20 June

Figure 2-2 Average Wind Speeds During the Monitoring Period (m/s)

2.4 Noise Monitoring Results

Attended noise monitoring and site observations suggest that the local noise environment is typical of a

rural environment. A rural noise environment is defined as an area with an acoustical environment that is dominated by natural sounds, having little or no road traffic.

During attended measurements, wind and leaves blowing in trees were noted as the primary noise

sources. Firearm discharges ranged from ‘inaudible’ to ‘audible’ at the different monitoring locations.

On occasions, firing was audible, however made no noticeable effect on the sound level meter as associated peak levels would not rise above the background levels. In such cases, despite the firearm

discharge being audibly perceptible, the peak magnitude was not measurable.

The highest recorded noise levels at each monitoring location are presented in Table 2-1 below. Detailed testing results are shown in Appendix A.


Table 2-1 Summary of Measured Peak Hold (Linear) Levels

Attended Measurement Location

Loudest Type of Firearm

Maximum Sound Pressure Level dB (Lin) Peak Hold Recorded

A1 0.308 Rifle 81.4

A2 0.308 Rifle 80.6

A3 0.303 Rifle 79.1

A4 0.303 Rifle 69.0

4 Starlight Place 0.303 Rifle 77.2


3. Conclusions

GHD conducted noise monitoring at five receiver locations over three consecutive days around the Southern highlands Regional Shooting Complex, located at Hill Top, NSW. Monitoring was conducted

between Friday 18 June and Sunday 20 June 2010.

The aim of the noise monitoring was to check compliance with the 75 dB(Lin) peak (hold) noise criterion set in the Conditions of Approval (A9) for the existing range.

Meteorological conditions during monitoring were considered to be favourable for noise monitoring during the majority of the monitoring periods. Prevailing winds were from the west to southwest throughout the three monitoring days.

A variety of firearms were used during the monitoring period, with a number of different rifle and shotgun types, including military approved firearms.

Firearm discharges were generally audible at most monitoring locations, although did not always register

a peak reading above background noise levels.

Although the majority of recorded peak (hold) noise levels were found to comply with the 75 dB(Lin) criterion, the highest peak (hold) levels recorded at monitoring locations were found to exceed this

criterion by up to 6.4 dB (highest peak noise level of 81.4 dB(Lin) at location A1).

The highest noise levels were recorded at monitoring locations A1, A2 and A3. Lower noise levels were recorded at location A4.

Monitoring was also conducted at 4 Starlight Place, close to A2. The highest noise level recorded at this location was shown to exceed the 75 dB(Lin) peak criterion, however most audible firearm discharges were shown to register peak noise levels below the criterion. A comparison of monitoring results at

location A2 and 4 Starlight Place did not show significant differences.


4. Limitations

This report has been prepared for Communities NSW (Sport & Recreation). The purpose of the report is to provide an independent review of the use of the existing shooting complex located at Southern

Highlands Regional Shooting Complex, Hill Top, NSW.

It is not the intention of the assessment to cover every element of the acoustic environment, but rather to conduct the assessment with consideration to the prescribed work scope.

The findings of the noise assessment represent the findings apparent at the date and time of the monitoring and the conditions of the area at that time. It is the nature of environmental monitoring that not all variations in environmental conditions can be accessed and all uncertainty concerning the conditions

of the ambient noise environment cannot be eliminated. Professional judgement must be exercised in the investigation and interpretation of observations.

In conducting this assessment and preparing the report, current guidelines for noise were referred to.

This work has been conducted in good faith with GHD’s understanding of the client’s brief and generally accepted consulting practice.

No other warranty, expressed or implied, is made as to the information and professional advice included

in this report. It is not intended for other parties or other uses.


9


Appendix A

Attended Noise Monitoring Results

Table A1 Friday 18 June 2010 Noise Monitoring Results

Time Firearms Location Wind Conditions

LZ(peak) dB Comments

11:45 – 12:05 16 G shotgun

0.22 Rimfire rifle

300 m range

A4 W to WSW

3 – 4 m/s

None Firing inaudible over background.

Factory loaded ammunition.

Background peak level between 75 – 85 dB(Lin).

12:15 – 12:45 12 G shotgun

0.45 rifle

7.62 Nato rifle

300 m range

A3 W to WSW

3 – 4 m/s

None Firing inaudible to barely audible over background.

14 Audible shots. No peaks above background.



13:15 – 13:45 16 G shotgun

7.62 Nato rifle

0.22 Rimfire rifle

300 m range

A2 WSW

2 – 3 m/s

69.0

69.5

Some firing inaudible over background.

15 shots audible. Not all registering peak value


13:50 – 14:10 12 G shotgun

16 G shotgun

300 m range

A1 WSW

3 – 4 m/s





10

Table A2 Saturday 19 June 2010 Noise Monitoring Results


Firearm LZ(peak) dB

Comments

13:30 – 13:50 0.308 rifle

0.223 rifle

800 m range

A1 W

1 – 3 m/s

69.0

76.8

70.8

72.1

80.4

81.4

Firing audible but not all registering peak over background or measurement affected by wind noise.

Hand loaded ammunition.

Wind gust noise peak level between 75 – 85 dB(Lin).

14:05 – 14:20 0.308 rifle

0.223 rifle

800 m range

A2 W to WSW

2 – 3 m/s

80.6

79.7

77.2

78.0

75.0

72.2

75.6

79.9

Firing audible but not all registering peak over background or measurement affected by wind noise.

22 Audible shots.


14:05 – 14:20 0.308 rifle

0.223 rifle

800 m range

4 Starlight Place

W to WSW

2 – 3 m/s

77.2

70.9

72.9

72.7

Firing audible but not all registering peak over

background or measurement affected by wind noise.

16 shots audible.



11

Time Firearms Location Wind Firearm C


Conditions LZ(peak) dB omments

Firing barely audible over background. 14:30 – 14:40 0.308 rifle

0.223 rifle

800 m range

A3 W to WSW

2 – 4 m/s

None


Background peak level between 75 – 95 dB(Lin) due to wind noise.

14:50 – 15:15 0.308 rifle

0.223 rifle

800 m range

A4 W to WSW

2 – 4 m/s


Background peak level between 75 – 95 dB(Lin) due to wind noise.

12

Table A2 Sunday 20 June 2010 Noise Monitoring Results


Firearm LZ(peak) dB

Comments

10:05 – 10:25 4 x 0.303 rifles

100 m range

A4 WSW

1 – 3 m/s

69.0 Firing barely audible to audible but not all registering peak

over background.

11 audible shots

Mix of hand loaded and factory loaded ammunition.

Wind gust noise peak level between 70 – 85 dB(Lin).

10:50 – 11:10 3 x 0.303 rifles

1 x 6.5 rifle

100 m range

A3 WSW

1 – 3 m/s

79.1

77.2

73.0

77.3

76.9

77.7

75.0

78.8

71.9

78.4

77.6

73.1

72.7

Firing audible but not all registering peak over background or measurement affected by other local noise e.g. Bird.

24 Audible shots.

Mix of hand loaded and factory loaded ammunition.



13

Time Firearms Location Wind Firearm C


Conditions LZ(peak) dB omments

39 shots audible. Where multiple shots occurred within a short time frame (2 – 3 seconds) the maximum peak level was recorded.

11:40 – 12:05 4 x 0.303 rifles

100 m range

A2 WSW

1 – 2 m/s

69.0

68.4

65.2

67.2

74.7

67.8

68.8

71.4

73.2

73.2

68.9

71.0

66.3

68.3

67.1

68.2

68.3

65.8

67.9

65.6

67.5

69.1

70.2

71.0


14



Firearm LZ(peak) dB

Comments

27 shots audible. Where multiple shots occurred within a short time frame (2 – 3 seconds) the maximum peak level was recorded.

12:15 – 12:50 4 x 0.303 rifles

1 x 7.62 rifle

1 x 6.5 rifle

100 m range

4 Starlight Place

W to WSW

0 – 1.5 m/s

70.0

68.2

68.3

67.0

67.9

65.6

67.5

69.1

69.5

71.0

72.1

76.3

71.1

73.7

74.1

70.0

71.7

73.4

71.0

72.5

68.3

69.6

68.5

66.1


14:00 – 14:30 1 x 0.22 G shotgun

4 x 0.303 rifles

1 x 7.62 rifle

1 x 6.5 rifle

1 x 0.22 Rimfire rifle

100 m range

A1 W to WSW

0.5 – 2 m/s

76.0

70.7

71.7

68.1

66.1

70.1

69.6

66.1

68.3

69.1

67.5

72.6

72.5

65.4

Firing audible but not all registering peak over background or measurement affected by other local noise e.g. Bird.

24 Audible shots.


GHD Pty Ltd ABN 39 008 488 373

Level 3 GHD Tower 24 Honeysuckle Drive Newcastle NSW 2300 PO Box 5403 Hunter Region Mail Centre NSW 2310 T: (02) 4979 9999 F: (02) 4979 9988 E: [email protected]

© GHD Pty Ltd 2010

This document is and shall remain the property of GHD Pty Ltd. The document may only be used for the purposes for which it was commissioned and in accordance with the Consultancy Agreement for the

commission. Unauthorised use of this document in any form whatsoever is prohibited.

Document Status

Reviewer Approved for Issue Rev No.

Authors Name Signature Name Signature Date

0 T Gribble G Collins A Horton 23/06/10


NSW Sport & Recreation · shows a plot of wind speeds during the monitoring period. ... dominated by natural sounds, ... This report has been prepared for Communities NSW (Sport &

Documents