EBNI

The project will control air pollutants and dust to protect worker and nearby resident health. Measures include:

• Dust Screens and Fencing: Erect shadecloth or mesh screens on scaffolds and hoardings around the site boundaries, especially during high-rise works, to contain particulate fallout according to the NSW site dust control guide. Porous fabrics are used on tall screens to prevent tearing in wind. Cover all open edges where possible.

• Water Suppression: Use water sprays on exposed surfaces (stockpiles, earthworks, unpaved areas) at all times of dust generation. As EPA guidance notes, “the most common way to suppress windblown dust is to use water sprays,” with mobile and fixed units as needed by EPA NSW. Increase frequency during dry and windy conditions.

• Controlled Demolition/Excavation: For high-dust activities (e.g. concrete grinding, sandstone cutting, jackhammering), use local exhaust or wet cutting. Enclose areas with tarpaulins or temporary sheds when breaking concrete or asbestos abatement. Avoid drop heights for demolition debris; use material chutes or buckets.

• Wheel Wash and Track-out Prevention: Install wheel-wash stations or rumble grids at exit points. Require all vehicles to clean tyres before leaving the site to avoid mud on roads (dried mud causes off-site dust). Maintain sealed roads on-site; sweep or vacuum haul roads regularly.

• Air Monitoring: If close to sensitive receptors, conduct periodic PM10/PM2.5 monitoring. Maintain a log of complaints and action taken.

• Exhaust and VOCs: Use low-emission engines. Store fuels and solvent-containing materials in sealed containers. Restrict the open burning of waste, which is typically banned.

• Compliance: Adhere to the NSW EPA’s Interim Construction Noise Guideline (ICNG, 2009) and dust guidance (e.g. EPA’s “No Dust No Fuss” recommendations). These require setting ambient noise and dust limits and using best-practice controls

Construction will follow strict erosion and sediment controls to protect waterways and stormwater systems. Key controls:

• Stabilised Entrances and Exits: Install gravel entry pads and rumble strips at site exits. This keeps vehicles from tracking sediment onto public roads.

• Silt Fences and Bunds: Erect silt fences or sediment logs downslope of disturbed areas to trap soil runoff. Use sandbags or berms to divert clean water flows around works.

• Sediment Basins/Traps: For larger earthworks, build temporary sediment basins or ponds to let turbid water settle before discharge. Drain only clear water from these basins into storm drains.

• Progressive Revegetation: Expose as little soil as necessary. Re-vegetate or mulch cleared areas promptly after grading. Seed stockpiles if they sit for more than a few weeks. Use jute matting on slopes steeper than 1:4.

• Construction of Stormwater Controls: During construction, ensure any permanent stormwater detention/infiltration basins, swales, or bioretention gardens are built early so they function throughout the project.

• Pollution Prevention: Cover stockpiles (e.g., soil, sand, crusher waste) with tarps during wind/rain. Do not wash out concrete trucks on unprotected soil; instead, use designated washout containers that are emptied into concrete recycling bins.

• Water Diversion: Where necessary, divert upstream stormwater flows away from work zones using graded channels or use cofferdams for in-stream work.

• Inspections: After rain events, inspect controls to repair any washouts or overtoppings. Remove sediment from traps before it reaches 50% capacity.

• Guidelines: These measures follow the NSW “Blue Book” Managing Urban Stormwater—Soils and Construction (Landcom 2004) and other industry guidelines. An Erosion and Sediment Control Plan (ESCP) will be prepared for each site, detailing these controls in line with council or project requirements.

With these practices, the site will limit suspended solids to acceptable levels (e.g., TSS <50–100 mg/L in discharges, per Blue Book guidance). In particular, buffers will protect any nearby waterways or wetlands, maintaining flow paths and sediment-free stormwater.

 

Construction will avoid excessive noise and vibration to protect residents and wildlife. Controls include:

• Scheduling: Carry out the noisiest activities (pile driving, rock breaking) during standard construction hours (e.g. 7 am–6 pm weekdays), avoiding nights or weekends unless specifically approved. Provide neighbours with advance notice of noisy works.

• Equipment Selection: Use quieter equipment where possible (e.g. hydraulic hammers instead of impact pile drivers). Ensure machinery has noise-suppression features (mufflers, acoustic enclosures) and is well-maintained.

• Acoustic Barriers: Where sensitive receptors are close, erect temporary acoustic fences or barrier panels around equipment or site perimeter to block noise. Use enclosures for stationary plant like generators.

• Ground Vibration: For jackhammering or compaction, use modern equipment with vibration-reduction mounts. Monitor vibration levels (e.g. to protect historic structures) if required. For pile driving, consider bored piles or sonic techniques instead of impact pile drivers to reduce vibrations.

• Communication and Monitoring: Keep a log of noise/vibration complaints. Conduct periodic spot-checks of noise levels with decibel meters near the most affected neighbours.

• Guidance Compliance: Follow the NSW EPA’s Interim Construction Noise Guideline (ICNG, 2009). The ICNG provides recommended noise levels and management approaches for construction sites. All site works will comply with any licence conditions or DA requirements on noise.

By applying these measures, the project will meet NSW noise control standards. For example, the EPA guidance sets construction noise limits and conditions to minimise disturbance to nearby communities. Vibration impacts on fauna (e.g., ground-nesting birds) will be minimized by scheduling and buffer zones in habitat areas.