The rate of urban sprawl for major cities across Australia poses a risk for adverse acoustic amenity impacts for sensitive land uses. This often occurs when sensitive land uses are often situated adjacent to significant infrastructure, industrial areas or commercial zones. When policies, governing agencies, local councils and technical specialists operate in harmony, effective acoustic planning can take place. This not only protects the acoustic health of existing and future key stakeholders, but also facilitates a smooth approval pathway. GHD has worked with various council and state governing bodies providing planning and strategic services, including:
- Master plan and strategy consultation
- Workshops and training seminars
- Technical peer review
- Major development acoustic assessment
The role of an expert witness is to provide relevant and impartial evidence in their area of expertise during litigation or tribunal/panel hearings. Their testimony is guided by codes of conduct from the relevant jurisdiction. GHD has delivered a range of expert witness services for noise and vibration, including projects for:
- Planning Panels and Tribunals (including NSW Land and Environment Court)
- Magistrates Courts
- Supreme Courts
GHD has also been involved in conferences or conclaves, where the purpose is for the experts to have a comprehensive discussion of issues relating to their field of expertise. The ultimate aim is to form a common view to identifying key issues and areas of agreement and disagreement (contentions).
With urban populations continuing to rise, it is vital to ensure that supporting road infrastructure is developed to keep up with this growth. As a result road traffic noise can have a significant impact on the communities, and a balance needs to be reached between providing efficient road transport infrastructure and minimising the adverse environmental effects of road noise. GHD can provide assessment and site specific mitigation controls for existing and future road developments and upgrades, including:
- New and redeveloped roads
- Noise barrier analysis and design
- Post Construction Noise Assessment (PCNA)
- At receiver mitigation treatments
Prior acoustic and vibration assessment for rail infrastructure is critical to facilitate the transition and implementation into future rail networks, whilst also ensuring that the environmental amenity of sensitive land uses and stakeholders is protected. GHD can provide assistance with:
- Baseline noise and vibration monitoring
- New and redevelopment rail line modelling
- Light and Heavy rail (passenger and freight)
- Substations
- Stations and station carparks
- Operational noise assessment stabling yards and maintenance facilities
In an ever more connected world, airports are becoming an increasingly vital component in Australia’s transport network. As a result, airports and runways are encroaching closer to residential land uses, and air traffic is becoming more frequent. Strategic assessment and planning is hence a crucial stage of air transport infrastructure development, as it ensures future airports are integrated suitably with surrounding urban land uses. GHD Acoustic’s has worked previously in this sector, including the following services:
- Airport design
- ANEC studies and guidance AirServices ANEF endorsement
- Local council strategic advice for airports
- Airport terminal design advice
