The management of noise effects is pivotal to creating liveable cities, healthy communities and ensuring the sustainable management of infrastructure and industry. Planning for population growth and intensification requires that noise effects within mixed use environments are carefully managed and reverse sensitivity effects on significant infrastructure, strategic industries and productive land use are avoided.

It is essential that planners hold a good understanding of the basic principles of the noise measurement and assessment process to aid their interpretation of acoustic assessments and to ensure good decision making. Ensuring resource consent conditions and policy contain robust noise management provisions can avoid potential complaints and enforcement proceedings. The time and cost of resolving noise issues can be significant to Council and stakeholders- a process that policy and resource consent planners are not always privy to.

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the assessment of noise effects under the planning framework. Real life, practical examples are provided to enhance the understanding of technical concepts.

I would recommend all planners attend this course. It was very instructive and educational. I would make it part of a set of compulsory courses for planners”

“Fantastic presentation and extremely informative”
2018 course feedback from NZPI Members

Over four sessions in a one day workshop, Jon provides a comprehensive overview of noise and effects, including the basics of noise measurement, the assessment of noise effects in the resource consent process, guidance from recent cases, and a best practice guide to drafting conditions and understanding the role and function of management plans.

Session 1: The basics of noise measurement and assessment
The basic methods for the measurement of noise
Understanding the application of common noise measurement metrics (LAeq, Lmax)
Assessment locations (notional boundary etc)
New Zealand Standards and WHO Guidelines
Understanding intensity, loudness and the subjective increase in noise levels
Examples of how noise can be effectively mitigated
Effect of trees, acoustic fences and the weather on noise effects and noise measurement

Session 2: The assessment of noise effects in the planning framework
What to expect from an acoustic report and the peer review
Written approvals
Understanding Section 16 and the Best Practicable Option
The big picture- considering noise rules within the overall objective and policy framework
What to expect from an acoustic assessment
The report review process – how to brief an acoustics expert and what to expect

Session 3: Relevant Cases
This session explores several relevant decisions from the Courts and how they influence the interpretations of various sections of the Act and some District Plans. The cases include:

Ngataringa Bay 2000 Inc. v Attorney General [1994] A16/94 - Can a council impose a stricter duty (than the District Plan noise limits) on the occupier of land through the adoption of the 'best practicable option'

North Canterbury Clay Target Association Inc. v Waimakiri Council [2016] NZCA 305, CA21/2015, - Does a Certificate of Compliance and an Existing Use Right protect a noise-generator from encroaching residential use.

Empire Entertainment Ltd v Auckland City Council [2010] NZRMA 525 (HC) - The role of the Best Practicable Option in the decision making process

Nelson City Council & Delaware Bay Residents Association Inc v Harvey [2011] NZEnvC48 - Is the chronology of development relevant - does it matter if the noise-generator was there before the receiver arrived.

Session 4: Conditions of consent and management plans
Principles for developing effective and enforceable consent conditions
Developing conditions to control effects and give certainty, taking into account the complexities and cost of noise measurements.
Examples of good conditions and bad conditions
The purpose, content, and role of management plans

PRESENTED BY JON STYLES
Jon Styles is the Director and Principal of Styles Group, a consultancy specialising in the measurement, prediction and assessment of noise and vibration. Jon has been practicing in the acoustics industry for more than 16 years, and has completed the Ministry for the Environments’ Making Good Decisions programme. Jon has over 8 years service as a Council Member of the Acoustical Society of New Zealand and has been the President of the Society since 2016. Jon specialises in the preparation of advice and the development of policy for environmental noise and vibration effects under the RMA- particularly for major infrastructure projects. Recent assignments include East / West Link, City Rail Link, Northern and Southern Corridor Improvements, Ruakura Inland Port, SH16 Waterview Connection, Victoria Park Tunnel, Penlink, Waikato Expressway, Ngaruawahia and Te Rapa By-passes, Tamahere East-West Link, Southern Links, Mackays to Peka Peka, Christchurch Southern Motorway Stage 2, and Auckland's Unitary Plan. He is a regular witness in the Environment Court and has appeared before a number of Boards of Inquiry including as the Boards’ expert.

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