ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT Newcastle Gas Storage Facility Project Major Project Application Number 10-0133
Volume 1: Main Report
May 2011
CR 6023_8_v3
Coffey Natural Systems Pty Ltd ABN 61005041878 Level 1, 3 Rider Boulevard Rhodes NSW 2138 Australia T (+61) (2) 9736 2400 F (+61) (2) 8765 0762 coffey.com
Environmental Assessment Newcastle Gas Storage Facility Project
7.8.4 Avoidance, Mitigation and Management The CEMP will include procedures in the event that significant non-Aboriginal cultural heritage material is unearthed during construction of the Project. As required under the NSW Heritage Act 1977, all works in the immediate vicinity will cease immediately and the NSW Heritage Branch will be notified. Works will not recommence until appropriate management measures approved by the NSW Heritage Branch are implemented.
All staff and contractors will be inducted and trained in cultural heritage procedures so they are aware of their obligations under the NSW Heritage Act. 7.8.5 Residual Impact Assessment The Project will not result in any impacts to known sites of non-Aboriginal cultural heritage significance. It is unlikely that there are any unidentified non-Aboriginal sites of cultural heritage significance that the Project could impact. 7.8.6 Monitoring Program Monitoring of non-Aboriginal cultural heritage sites will primarily involve auditing of the established procedures to ensure that they are being followed by staff and contractors.
7.9 Socio-economic Environment 7.9.1 Study Methods A socio-economic characterisation assessment was undertaken to determine the potential socio- economic impacts of the Project (Appendix 10). The assessment was informed by demographic data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), particularly the 2006 census and local and regional planning strategies.
Three geographical scales were adopted for the analysis of socio-economic impacts and benefits likely to result from development of the Project (Figure 7.22):
• Primary – Tomago, Hexham and Heatherbrae. • Secondary – Port Stephens and Newcastle LGAs. • Tertiary – New South Wales.
These scales reflected the need to account for local, regional and state social and economic conditions in determining the impacts and benefits of the Project. 7.9.2 Existing Environment The Project is located within the Port Stephens LGA, which covers an area of 979 km2 and has a population of 60,484, and the Newcastle LGA, which covers an area of 183 km2 and has a population of 141,753. Since Tomago, the location of the gas plant (the main component of the Project), has a very low population with 95 people, the ABS has withheld the publication of detailed demographic data for the suburb.
Given the absence of adequate demographic data for Tomago, the demographic data for the adjacent suburbs of Hexham and Heatherbrae has been used to characterise the demography of the primary locality.
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Environmental Assessment Newcastle Gas Storage Facility Project
Demographic Profile Population The primary locality (Tomago, Hexham and Heatherbrae) has a population of 727 (54.9% male and 45.1% female). Of this, 95 (52.6% male and 47.4% female) live in Tomago (ABS, 2007).
The age profile of the primary locality features:
• A large proportion of ‘baby boomers’ (adults aged 50 to 65 years), who comprise approximately one quarter of the population (24.2%), compared to 17.5% of the population in the Port Stephens and Newcastle LGAs, and 17.4% of the population in NSW.
• A relative high concentration of other older population groups, including adults aged 75 to 79 years who comprise 5.1% of the population in the primary locality compared to 3.4% for the Port Stephens and Newcastle LGAs, and 2.9% for NSW.
• A low proportion (17.5%) of resident adults of early working age (20 to 39 years) living in the locality.
Approximately 86.3% of residents in the primary locality were Australian-born, with approximately 93% of residents holding Australian citizenship. The proportion of Australian-born residents in the primary area is higher than that for the Port Stephens and Newcastle LGAs (82.4%) and NSW (69.0%) (ABS, 2007). The primary locality includes a larger proportion of Indigenous Australians (3.6%) than average when compared to the Port Stephens and Newcastle LGAs (2.4%) and NSW (2.1%) (ABS, 2007).
The majority of residents in the primary locality were born in English speaking countries, namely Australia (86.3%, 628 persons), the United Kingdom (3.4%, 20 persons) and New Zealand (1.8%, 11 persons). A small number of residents were born in countries where English was not a primary language, including the Philippines (1.2%, 7 persons) and Germany (0.7%, 4 persons). Linguistic diversity in the primary locality is therefore relatively low with only 3.6% of residents in the primary locality speaking a language other than English at home (24 persons), compared to 7.2% in the Port Stephens and Newcastle LGAs, and 26.0% in NSW.
No individual language other than English was spoken by more than five inhabitants in the primary locality.
The primary locality is less culturally and linguistically diverse than both the Port Stephens and Newcastle LGAs and NSW. While the Project area has a small number of residents who speak languages other than English, no residents reported being unable to speak English. Similarly, no residents reported being able to speak English at a poor level (ABS, 2007). Housing and Tenure Residents of the primary locality were less likely to have lived at a different residential address one year ago than those in the Port Stephens and Newcastle LGAs and in NSW.
However, the migration rate for residents at the five-year interval for residents in the primary locality closely mirrors the average for both the Port Stephens and Newcastle LGAs and NSW. Lower than average rates of migration over a one-year period are likely to reflect the tenure profile of the primary locality, which has no state housing authority dwellings and relatively high levels of home ownership (48.9%) when compared to the Port Stephens and Newcastle LGAs (36.0%) and NSW (33.2%).
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Income, median rents and monthly housing loan repayments in the localities of interest are summarised in Table 7.22.
Table 7.22 Comparative median housing costs (2006) Locality Median Individual Median Rent Median Housing Number of Income ($/week) Loan Repayment Dwellings ($/week) ($/month) Primary locality 353 150 1,090 286 Port Stephens and 399 188 1,300 78,126 Newcastle LGAs New South Wales 461 210 1,517 2,238,317 Source: ABS (2007).
The primary locality has a high concentration of caravan or cabin dwelling types (43.4%). While high levels of home ownership imply higher levels of financial security, the lower value of caravan and cabin type dwellings reflect lower median incomes.
Housing demand resulting in increased housing prices can make it difficult for low-income earners to secure or maintain accommodation and for new industry to find appropriate housing for its workforce. Given the relatively small number of persons who will be employed during operations (15 persons), and the proximity of areas with high populations, long-term housing demand is unlikely to be affected by the Project.
The construction workforce will be 300 persons. Most of this workforce will be sourced external to the primary locality, but within commuting distance. Short-term accommodation in the primary locality is relatively plentiful, including motels, hotels and two large caravan parks located within short driving distance of the gas plant. There are a number of other short-term accommodation options available further in the Newcastle and Port Stephens LGAs. Short-term accommodation will be required for a small number of the construction workforce who will temporarily move to the area. These are likely to be workers with specialist skills, qualifications or experience. Education The majority of residents in the primary locality have not completed a Year 12 equivalent education (Table 7.23). This is below the average for both the Port Stephens and Newcastle LGAs and NSW.
The only education facility within the primary locality is Raymond Terrace High School, located near the northern boundary of Heatherbrae. Raymond Terrace, located within the Port Stephens LGA though outside the primary locality, contains the nearest preparatory and primary schools (three) and an additional high school. The nearest university and TAFE campuses are located in the Newcastle LGA at Callaghan.
Table 7.23 Proportion of population with Year 12 equivalent qualifications Locality Completed Year 12 (% of population) Primary locality 16.3 Port Stephens and Newcastle LGAs 36.0 New South Wales 42.4 Source: ABS (2007).
Residents in the Port Stephens and Newcastle LGAs were more likely to hold certificate-level (trade and para-professional) qualifications (37.5%) than their counterparts in NSW (30.9%).
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The proposed gas plant is expected to create up to 300 short-term jobs in construction and approximately 15 permanent positions during operations. Construction will require a workforce with trade and para-professional qualifications. Employment opportunities for residents of the Port Stephens and Newcastle LGAs may therefore result given the higher than average number of residents in the Port Stephens and Newcastle LGAs with such qualifications. Economic Profile Gas Supply The NSW natural gas network supply, including infrastructure failures and shortfalls, is discussed in Section 3. Industry While the primary locality has a residential population of 727 people, it accommodates approximately 4,200 jobs – equivalent to 24% of all employment in the Port Stephens LGA (ABS, 2007).
Though manufacturing has declined from the highest to the fourth-highest industry of employment in the Port Stephens and Newcastle LGAs, industry remains the predominant employer in the primary locality, reflecting the largely industrial land uses of the area. Employment trends in the primary locality have retained characteristics associated with the Port Stephens and Newcastle LGAs in the 1996 census, with relatively high rates of local employment in manufacturing and other manual trades, namely construction and transport.
Employment in the manufacturing industry accounts for approximately half of all jobs (51.5%, 2,164 jobs) in the primary locality, almost three-quarters of jobs in the Port Stephens LGA (73.5%) and almost one-quarter of all jobs in the Port Stephens and Newcastle LGAs combined.
The primary locality has a heavy industrial base, accommodating the Tomago Aluminium Smelter, the region’s largest aluminium smelter and the eleventh largest globally, which alone provides an economic contribution of more than $750 million in Australia, $450 million of which is spent in the Hunter region (Hunter Valley Research Foundation, 2009). The smelter is owned by TAC.
The major employers in Tomago are summarised in Table 7.24.
Table 7.24 Major employers in Tomago (2007) Employer Estimated Industry Production Areas Employment Tomago Aluminium 1,350 Manufacturing Aluminium. Company Westrac/Caterpillar 400 Distribution State headquarters. (expected) Ampcontrol 300 Manufacturing Electrical equipment. Sandvik 160 Manufacturing Mining and construction. Rutherford Group 100 Manufacturing Mining, tunnelling and power generation. AJ Mayr 60 Manufacturing Engineering fabrication and construction products. Perifab Engineering 40 Manufacturing Port related. Milltech Proprietary 40 Manufacturing Metallurgy. Alloys Goldsmith Frame and 40 Manufacturing Manufacturing. Trusses
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Table 7.24 Major employers in Tomago (2007) (cont’d) Employer Estimated Industry Production Areas Employment SBS Steel Building 40 Manufacturing Building equipment. Systems Pyrosteel 40 Manufacturing Heat-treated alloys. Redispan Conveyors 32 Manufacturing Conveyors. Tyton Conveyors 30 Manufacturing Conveyors. Forgacs Shipyard Unknown Shipbuilding Aluminium hull vessels. Site of the Australian Air Warfare Destroyer build contract. Volgren Unknown Manufacturing Bus manufacturing. Source: Port Stephens Council (2007).
An expansion of employment generating lands is planned for Tomago and surrounding areas (Port Stephens Council, 2007). This includes areas close to the primary locality, such as Newcastle Port and Beresfield (Table 7.25).
Table 7.25 Proposed industrial parks in Port Stephens and Newcastle LGAs Industrial Park Location (LGA) Size Description Developer Tomago Industrial Tomago 545 ha To be developed on former rural Hunter Park (Port Stephens) lands, expected to be suitable for Development light and heavy industry uses. Corporation Kooragang Island Kooragang 400 ha Suited for coal loading and other Hunter Industrial Park (Newcastle) industrial capacity, Newcastle Coal Development Infrastructure Group to lease Corporation 136 ha. Intertrade Port of 150 ha Site remediation completed, Buildev Industrial Park Newcastle expected for general industry, (Newcastle) freight and commercial uses. Freeway Beresfield 110 ha Planned expansion of current 30 ha Hunter Land Business Park (Newcastle) area. Source: Port Stephens Council (2007). It is expected that the primary locality will continue to accommodate a similar range of employment types in the future. PCS, (2007) has identified the future importance of the area to large-scale manufacturing, engineering and related support services (e.g., transport).
Constraints to industrial growth and the expansion of employment lands in the Port Stephens and Newcastle LGAs include biophysical factors (e.g., flood prone areas), existing development and conservation requirements. Approximately two-thirds of all land in the Port Stephens LGA is classified as a protected area by Council, State and/or Commonwealth government. It is expected that the current use of employment lands in Tomago will expand in line with regional policy (Port Stephens Council, 2007; Newcastle City Council, 2009).
The proposed gas plant will not represent a departure from current industrial land uses in Tomago. It will contribute to expansion of existing regional industry by improving energy infrastructure and supply. Employment The employment profile for residents in the primary locality shows relatively low levels of employment diversity, high levels of unemployment and high levels of part-time workforce participation when compared to averages for the Port Stephens and Newcastle LGAs and NSW. In 2006, unemployment in the primary locality (15.1%) was more than double the average for the Coffey Natural Systems 6023_8_Ch7_v3.docx 7-113 Environmental Assessment Newcastle Gas Storage Facility Project
Port Stephens and Newcastle LGAs (7.2%) and approximately three times the NSW average (5.9%).
Industries including manufacturing (17.3%), retail trade (12.6%), construction (11.8%) and transport (9.8%) are relatively over-represented as areas of employment by residents living in the primary locality.
Employment of residents in the Port Stephens and Newcastle LGAs is characterised by greater diversity, with a decreasing number of persons employed in manufacturing (from 13.8% in 1996 to 10.0% in 2006), which was originally the pre-eminent industry of employment in the region (ABS, 2000, 2003, 2007).
The employment profile for residents of the primary locality between 1996 and 2006 showed a reliance on employment sectors including manufacturing, construction and transport. Development of employment capacity within these sectors could potentially improve local access to the labour market with the provision of additional and alternative employment opportunities.
The Lower Hunter region, which includes the Port Stephens and Newcastle LGAs, has a high level of employment self-sufficiency and potential for continued strong employment growth. According to the Lower Hunter Regional Strategy 2006-31 (DoP, 2006), an extra 66,000 jobs will need to be created by 2031 to sustain the growing population of the region. It is expected that 25% of the 66,000 new jobs required (16,500 jobs) will need to locate in major employment land sites, including land at Tomago. Both the Port Stephens Economic Development Strategy (Port Stephens Council, 2007) and the Port Stephens Futures Strategy (Port Stephens Council, 2009) similarly identify the Tomago area as a strategic area for industrial growth that will benefit from regional employment. Income Household income considers the total number of income earners in the house, while family income considers the total income of family members living within the house. Relatively low family and household incomes occur in the primary locality (Table 7.26).
Table 7.26 Comparative median weekly income (2006) Locality Median Individual Median Family Median Household Income ($/weekly) Income ($/weekly) Income ($/weekly) Primary locality 353 809 665 Port Stephens and 399 1,081 858 Newcastle LGAs New South Wales 461 1,181 1,036 Source: ABS (2007).
Household income for residents in the primary locality is within the lower income brackets compared to the Port Stephens and Newcastle LGAs and NSW, with approximately half of all residents in the primary locality having a weekly household income of less than $650 per week (49.6%).
Differences in household income between the primary locality and the Port Stephens and Newcastle LGAs may be attributed to:
• A higher concentration of adults of working age and higher levels of full-time employment in the Port Stephens and Newcastle LGAs.
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• A higher concentration of professional, technical and scientific services employees across suburbs located in the Port Stephens and Newcastle LGAs.
• A larger, and therefore more diverse, retail base.
As the proposed gas plant is expected to create up to 300 short-term jobs in construction and approximately 15 permanent jobs when commissioned, there are unlikely to be social impacts for the primary locality associated with the introduction of a large and potentially higher paid workforce (e.g., risk of increased housing demand) due to the proximity of a number of population centres. In order to address issues of income disparity, such as the low household income of residents in the primary locality compared to residents of the Port Stephens and Newcastle LGAs, AGL will seek local procurement and employment where appropriate. Social Infrastructure Medical and Health Services There are numerous large hospitals and health service centres located within 15 km of Tomago (Table 7.27). The nearest ambulance, fire and police services are located at Raymond Terrace, approximately 8 km from the gas plant.
Table 7.27 Major health facilities within the Port Stephens and Newcastle LGAs Facility Location Beds Notes
John Hunter Hospital Lookout Road, New Lambton 550 Trauma and emergency medicine. Calvary Mater Edith Street, Waratah 187 Emergency, general medical Newcastle and surgical care. Royal Newcastle Lookout Road, New Lambton 84 Day surgery procedures, allied Centre health services. Raymond Terrace 59 Port Stephens Street, Nil Allied health services. Community Health Raymond Terrace Centre Beresfield Community Lawson Avenue, Beresfield Nil Community health, nursing. Health Centre West Newcastle 15 Nash Street, Wallsend Nil Allied health services. Community Health Centre
Recreational Infrastructure Recreational and sporting facilities in the primary locality are summarised in see Table 7.28.
Table 7.28 Recreational and sporting facilities within the primary locality Name Address Hexham Bowling Club 290 Old Maitland Road, Hexham Hexham Park Maitland Road, Hexham Tomago Bowling and Sports Club Tomago Road, Tomago Hunter Region Botanic Gardens Pacific Highway, Heatherbrae The Hunter Region Botanic Gardens are located approximately 500 m northwest of the gas plant. The gardens cover approximately 133 ha of land under lease from the Hunter Water Corporation. The gardens are operated by a not-for-profit public company, largely by volunteers. The botanic collection (displays of Australian and introduced species) occupies approximately 30 ha, with
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conservation bushland accounting for the remainder of the Gardens. The gardens are frequently used for guided tours, educational excursions for school groups as well as weddings and other functions. The Gardens include a visitors centre, gift shop, reference library and café, and are open daily from 9.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. (closed Christmas Day and Good Friday). Local Development Priorities Tomago is identified as an area of importance to employment futures in both local and state area strategies:
• NSW Government Department of Planning – Lower Hunter Regional Strategy (DoP, 2006).
• Port Stephens Council – Economic Development Strategy Report (Port Stephens Council, 2007).
• Port Stephens Futures Strategy (Port Stephens Council, 2009).
• Newcastle City Council – Industrial Lands Review, Economic Development Strategy (Newcastle City Council, 2009).
• Hunter Development Corporation – Hunter Region Employment Lands Study (HDC, 2010). NSW Government The NSW Government’s Lower Hunter Regional Strategy (DoP, 2006) provides a key impetus for future regional and economic planning in the Lower Hunter region, outlining future population and employment growth targets. The strategy also identifies state and federal government funding commitments to the development of key infrastructure across the Lower Hunter region, helping to support realisation of population and employment growth targets.
The strategy targets a population increase of 160,000 new residents by 2031, with residential development set to occur across major centres (Newcastle) and a number of regional centres, of which Raymond Terrace is nearest to the primary locality. Raymond Terrace is expected to accommodate 300 additional dwellings, with no residential development being outlined for Tomago, Hexham or Heatherbrae.
A high employment growth target of 66,000 jobs is set for the region, with one quarter of all new jobs (16,500) being targeted for designated employment lands (Tomago and Williamtown), and the remainder distributed between town centres (65%) and other areas (15%). There are 1,600 new jobs targeted for Raymond Terrace, near the primary locality.
The strategy anticipates that the 16,500 jobs in major employment land sites will occupy approximately 825 ha of employment land. A total of 503 ha of zoned but vacant employment land is currently available for development. An additional 1,000 ha of new employment land has been identified in the strategy for Tomago, Black Hill and West Wallsend. Of this 1,000 ha, 322 ha will be required to meet the employment targets for this strategy. A further 1,200 ha of vacant ‘special purpose’ employment land has been designated to remain available for port- and airport-related needs. An overview of the key residential and employment growth directions outlined in the strategy, and their implication for activities and future uses of land in the primary locality is provided in Table 7.29.
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Table 7.29 Directions of the Lower Hunter Regional Strategy Direction Implications Regional population increase: • No residential growth is targeted for areas in the primary locality. 160,000 by 2031 • Modest residential growth (300 dwellings) is targeted for North Raymond Terrace (nearest location). Regional jobs increase: • Increased energy supply requirements generated by employment growth. 66,000 by 2031 • Development of 503 ha of existing zoned but vacant employment lands. Target 25% of new jobs • Zoning of a further 1,000 ha of new employment land at Tomago and (16,500) in employment lands other locations (Black Hill, West Wallsend), including 322 ha to meet the requirements presented in the strategy (825 ha). • Additional 1,200 ha of vacant ‘special purpose’ employment land to remain available for port- and airport-related needs. • Increasing characterisation of northwest Newcastle and southwest Port Stephens sub-region as a regional employment zone, containing current port and airport lands, and largest employment zones. Targeted jobs growth in other • Increased energy supply requirements. specialised centres outside • 3,000 jobs targeted for Williamtown Airport precinct. but near Tomago • 1,600 jobs targeted for Raymond Terrace, development of Raymond Terrace into regional retail/services centre. • Increasing characterisation of northwest Newcastle and southwest Port Stephens as a regional employment zone. Source: DoP (2006).
Infrastructure projects prioritised by government for the primary locality to support the growth requirements of the Lower Hunter Regional Strategy (DoP, 2006) are summarised in Table 7.30.
Table 7.30 Proposed infrastructure projects (Lower Hunter Regional Strategy) Provision Area Proposed Project Relationship to Project Electricity Tomago-Stroud 132 kV new transmission Energy distribution enhancements. line. Tomago 330 kV new transformer. Energy distribution enhancements. Roads Pacific Highway F3 to Raymond Site and transport accessibility. Terrace/Hexham. Source: DoP (2006). Port Stephens Council The Port Stephens Futures Strategy (Port Stephens Council, 2009) identifies retention of the civilian and military aeronautical industry at Williamtown and continued diversification of the regional economy, as important activities in ensuring the competitiveness of Port Stephens with Sydney and other regions for specialist workers. The Futures Strategy specifically identifies the need for Council to progress the following activities to support employment development in the region:
• Completion of the Industrial Lands Strategy for Tomago and Williamtown within the short-term, to enable rezoning of land for future industrial development.
• Development of an industrial hierarchy to support existing major industrial centres at Tomago and Heatherbrae, including further development of the airport zone and development of local industrial parks on the peninsula.
• Planning for and promotion of future infrastructure requirements for the airport zone and Tomago industrial area, ensuring that local infrastructure requirements are given priority by government agencies and utility providers. Coffey Natural Systems 6023_8_Ch7_v3.docx 7-117 Environmental Assessment Newcastle Gas Storage Facility Project
Council’s Economic Development Strategy Report (Port Stephens Council, 2007) outlines a number of key directions for the future development of employment lands, with the following potential implications for future planning and development of the Tomago lands (Table 7.31).
Table 7.31 Directions of the Port Stephens Economic Development Strategy Report Direction Implications Inadequacies in infrastructure • Council to identify infrastructure needs and costs, and secure funding (particularly power/energy, roads for key infrastructure to support development of employment lands and services) in industrial estates (Airport Zone and Tomago) identified as a short-term action by defined as a major threat to future Council. growth prospects. • Development of the industrial lands is recognised as requiring action on constraints including road networks, sewer services, power and water services, and securing funding for these requirements. Tomago industrial land identified as • Development of Tomago as the major industrial area by providing having capacity to generate in additional zoned land identified as one of several key strategic excess of 3,000 new jobs. projects for Council likely to have largest potential economic impact. Newcastle Airport/Defence Zone • Continuing the development of high value manufacturing in the (Williamtown) identified as having Tomago area and in Heatherbrae, and encouraging the development capacity to generate up to 5,600 of associated support industries and services identified as a medium- new jobs. term action by Council. • Developing defence and aviation cluster around the airport; developing freight and logistics functions associated with the airport. Creating employment opportunities • Development of Raymond Terrace as the LGAs primary regional for population growth generated by services centre, with improvements in retail and higher level services new town developments (Medowie and consolidation of office accommodation identified as a medium and North Raymond Terrace) term action by Council. identified as a key challenge. Source: Port Stephens Council (2007). Newcastle City Council Newcastle City Council’s Industrial Lands Review (Newcastle City Council, 2009) highlights that the only major opportunities for significant industrial development exist outside the Newcastle LGA, specifically in industrial lands within the Port Stephens, Cessnock and Maitland LGAs. Very limited opportunities for additional industrial rezoning currently exist within the Newcastle LGA, and there are pressures for retail and residential use of some existing industrial sites (Table 7.32).
Table 7.32 Directions of the Newcastle Industrial Lands Review (2009) Direction Implications All major opportunities for significant The review recommends that Council: industrial development exist outside the • Recognise there are very limited opportunities for Newcastle LGA, specifically in industrial additional industrial rezoning within the Newcastle LGA. lands within the Port Stephens LGA, and in • Retain existing industrial zoning or zonings which permit the Beresfield investigation area. Pressure light industrial uses. to rezone industrial land for residential uses • Limit residential development of industrial land (excluding is building, particularly in water front areas, waterfront sites in Tighes Hill and Maryville). potentially affecting scarce supply. Retail uses of industrial lands also limit growth • Avoid retail uses within industrial lands, unless the retail capacity. functions are directly associated with a site’s industrial use.
Hunter Development Corporation The Hunter Region Employment Lands Study (HDC, 2010) undertook a whole of region appraisal of employment lands in 2010. The study highlights:
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• A holistic approach to infrastructure planning and provisions is required for the Hunter region.
• Difficulties in procuring adequate services (sewer, water and power supply) are often a significant constraint to the viability of the development of employment lands.
• Developing low constraint land in close proximity to infrastructure has potential benefits including reduced development costs, optimum sales prices and stronger take-up rates.
The study identifies infrastructure development and upgrades will open up further opportunities for existing and new industries to take up employment lands in the Hunter region. 7.9.3 Potential Impacts The Project’s socio-economic issues can be summarised as:
• Economic impacts:
– Impacts on the regional economy.
- Improvements to gas supply security to NSW, particularly during peak demand periods.
- Creation of flow-on economic benefits for NSW and the region.
– Impacts on the local economy, including:
- Reducing high local unemployment.
- Increased competition in the local labour market, potentially luring employees of other local businesses.
- Minor disruption to local businesses caused by the Project (e.g., road works and noise), during construction.
- Increased industrialisation of the Tomago area in accordance with regional planning strategies.
• Impacts on housing and accommodation:
– Increased demand for housing to accommodate operations workforce resulting in increased rental prices and competition in local housing market.
– Economic benefits for accommodation owners as a result of temporarily accommodating some of the construction workforce.
– Potential decrease in the availability of short-term accommodation options for tourists due to construction workforce accommodation requirements, with subsequent economic effects.
• Impacts on properties and landowners:
– Potential air quality, noise and vibration, and visual impacts resulting from Project construction and operation on nearby sensitive receptors (discussed in Sections 7.13, 7.12 and 7.10 respectively).
– Limited loss of agricultural productivity due to permanent restrictions on use of land within the pipeline corridor.
– Potential impacts on property values due to potential changes in local amenity in the pipeline corridor. Coffey Natural Systems 6023_8_Ch7_v3.docx 7-119 Environmental Assessment Newcastle Gas Storage Facility Project
• Impacts on employment, training and local business:
– Direct employment opportunities for management and professional staff, as well as labourers, plant and machine operators, particularly during construction, potentially reducing the high unemployment rate in the primary locality.
– Indirect employment and local business opportunities through increased demand for goods and services.
– Opportunities for re-skilling or formalisation of skills of workers in the region, particularly given the low rate of completion of Year 12 and other certificates or qualifications in the primary locality.
– Potential to lure employees from other local industrial businesses.
– Contribute towards local and regional employment growth in accordance with regional planning strategies.
• Impacts on social infrastructure:
– Increased pressure on local medical and emergency services (including hospital, police, ambulance and fire services), particularly during construction with the large workforce.
– Potential for emergency services to be ill-equipped (in terms of man-power or expertise) to respond to emergencies at a gas storage facility.
– Staff uninformed in Project health, safety and emergency protocols and measures (and staff under the influence of drugs or alcohol) may increase likelihood of incident occurrence or compromise incident response.
– Increased demand for general medical and health services for Project employees who have moved to the region.
– Increased use of local recreational infrastructure, including the Hunter Region Botanic Gardens (Pacific Highway, Heatherbrae), Hexham Park (Maitland Road, Hexham), Hexham Bowling Club (290 Old Maitland Road, Hexham) and Tomago Bowling and Sports Club (Tomago Road, Tomago).
– Economic benefit to some local business, such as the bowling clubs, from additional patrons. 7.9.4 Avoidance, Management and Mitigation This section describes the proposed avoidance, mitigation and management measures designed to avoid or reduce the potential socio-economic impacts of the Project.
The proposed avoidance, mitigation and management measures designed to avoid social impacts from changes to air quality, noise, visual and traffic impacts are described in Sections 7.13, 7.12, 7.10 and 7.11 respectively. Local and Regional Economy The following mitigation measures will be implemented to manage impacts to the local economy:
• Employ a strategy that focuses on equipment suppliers, trades and services, within the Port Stephens and Newcastle LGAs, boosting the local economy.
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• Meet the construction and operations noise goals of the Project to minimise disturbance to sensitive receptors.
The Project is expected to positively benefit the regional economy, as discussed in Sections 3 and 7.9. Therefore, avoidance, management and mitigation measures will not be required. Housing and Accommodation The following mitigation measures will be implemented to avoid or reduce impacts on housing and accommodation:
• Use local labour where appropriately qualified people are available (see ‘Employment, training and local business’ below) to minimise the influx of workers to the area during construction and reduce the risk of subsequent potential impacts on rental prices.
• Outline accommodation options for workers during inductions and encourage, where practicable, workers to share houses during construction.
• Consult with local accommodation providers and tourism industry representatives on an ongoing basis to manager potential impacts on short-term accommodation, particularly during peak construction periods. Property The following mitigation measures will be implemented to avoid or reduce impacts on property:
• Two potential pipeline corridor options are presented in this EA, as well as a hybrid pipeline corridor option (see Section 3 and Figure 1.2). AGL will use this EA to assess which corridor option is most suitable for the Project, and will include consideration of impact on local properties and landowners.
• Access to properties will be maintained during pipeline construction works and pipeline trenches will be progressively reinstated to minimise impacts on the use of land.
• Minimise the requirement for roadworks along the section of Old Punt Road passing through the Tomago industrial estate between Kennington Drive and Old Punt Road and Laverick Avenue and Tomago Road intersections. Employment, Training and Local Business The following measures will be implemented to increase employment and training benefits for local residents and business opportunities:
• AGL intends to engage local businesses where possible to service the Project both during construction and operations. Detailed advanced notices of goods and services required by the Project will be issued to assist local businesses meet the needs of the Project. Social Infrastructure The following mitigation measures will be implemented to avoid or reduce impacts on social infrastructure:
• Community consultation will be ongoing during the life of the Project.
• Notify the local community by means of public notice publications and advertisements on the progress of the Project and the scheduling of works.
• Preventative occupational health and safety measures and awareness programs.
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• All staff, contractors and site visitors will undergo site inductions, be conversant with the construction safety management plan and the emergency management plan, as well as occupational health and safety requirements as specified by specialist contractors, professional bodies and unions.
• First aid facilities will be provided at the gas plant, which will ensure prompt response to any industrial accidents and emergencies.
• Two suitably qualified first aid officers (with access to basic medical facilities) will be on duty at all times during construction activities associated with the gas plant, the receiving station in Hexham and the pipeline corridor, and at all times at the gas plant during operations.
• Working relationships will be developed with local area emergency services providers, including Raymond Terrace Police, ambulance and fire services, and regional hospitals to advise on risks relating to on-site work and prepare for emergencies. AGL will assist with emergency training. This process will begin prior to construction.
• A zero-tolerance on-site drug and alcohol policy will be enforced.
• As it is likely the Project will be classified as a Major Hazard Facility, the Project will comply with the requirements for hazard and risk management under the National Standard for the Control of Major Hazard Facilities administered by NSW WorkCover (see Section 2). The National Standard for the Control of Major Hazard Facilities requires that relevant community and employee groups are consulted.
• Prior to operation of the Project, a safety management system will be implemented, which will include an emergency response plan.
• Project design will provide sufficient open space for emergency vehicles and equipment including fire fighting and rescue. 7.9.5 Residual Impact Local and Regional Economy The Project is expected to positively impact regional and state economies, by securing gas supply for NSW. Regional and state benefits of the Project are discussed further in Section 3. The creation of flow-on economic benefits from the Project will include the provision of substantial investment in regional NSW. The Project will create up to 300 jobs during construction and commissioning and approximately 15 full-time jobs during operations.
While the Project has potential to reduce local and regional unemployment, the extent to which this occurs, will be limited given that most construction personnel will be specialist contractors sourced external to the primary locality. The origin of this Project construction workforce means that the workforces of other local business are not expected to be impacted. Employment benefits of the Project will also be temporary as construction is expected to conclude within three years. During operations, staffing requirements will be only be minimal with up to 15 people (likely specialist operators) employed. Impacts of the Project on employment are discussed further in ‘Employment, Training and Local Business’ below.
Some local businesses (e.g., bowling clubs and takeaways) may benefit from additional patrons, particularly during construction.
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Housing and Accommodation The Project will be located within predominantly industrialised areas (i.e., Tomago and Hexham) and will therefore be consistent with surrounding land uses, both current and proposed. Hence, existing residences and employees in the Tomago area will likely exhibit low sensitivity to impacts of the Project. Some residences are located south and southeast of the gas plant site on School Drive and Tomago Road, respectively. The closest of these residences is located approximately 1.3 km away. A single residence is also located at 1902 Pacific Highway, Tomago, 2 km west of the gas plant site. The receiving station will be located in an existing industrial precinct in Hexham. The nearest residence to the receiving station is approximately 150 m on Old Maitland Road. Any future residential development in the area will be focused on urban greenfield localities such as North Raymond Terrace, and these are located some distance from the proposed gas plant.
The Project will employ approximately 15 people during operations. Therefore, housing demand in the primary locality or in neighbouring areas is unlikely to be affected.
The Project’s construction workforce will comprise of employees who reside in the region as well as an estimated 300 employees (particularly specialist contractors) who may require temporary accommodation. Approximately 2,000 accommodation rooms are available within 60 minutes drive of the Newcastle CBD (Newcastle Visitor Centre, 2009). This does not include all backpacker, bed and breakfast, and caravan park accommodation in the region. Therefore, there will be ample accommodation for temporary construction workers from outside of the region.
During operations, it is expected that all 15 employees will reside permanently in the region. Temporary accommodation will therefore not be required. Property Generally, the impact of construction activities of the Project to residential properties will be minimal. Some residential properties may be impacted by the construction of the pipeline between the gas plant and the receiving station in Hexham. Potential pipeline corridor options are presented in Figure 1.2. Laying of the pipeline will require a 25 to 30 m corridor, cleared of vegetation. Pipeline corridor option 1 will require construction through up to 13 private properties along the Pacific Highway – four properties are zoned rural agriculture and nine are zoned general industrial under the Port Stephens LEP. Only one of these properties however, has a residence – the rest are vacant and predominantly cleared. In addition to running parallel with the Pacific Highway, as with pipeline corridor option 1, the hybrid option also runs along the west margin of the Tomago Village Caravan Park. Pipeline corridor option 2 will not cross any private residential properties.
Following pipeline construction, some activities will not be able to be undertaken on or adjacent to the pipeline corridor easements without prior approval from the pipeline operator. These activities include:
• Trenching, grading, digging and drilling. • Construction. • Land leveling or contouring. • Use of vibrating machinery. • Planting large trees. • Stockpiling materials and equipment.
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A proportion of the land impacted by construction and operation of the Project is used for agricultural purposes. To reduce impacts on agricultural outputs and potential losses, the following measures will be implemented:
• Consider the agricultural production cycle in the region and periods of harvest during construction planning.
• Implement soil management procedures and rehabilitate the pipeline right of ways.
Any potential loss of agricultural productivity associated with the permanent restrictions on the pipeline easements will be determined in consultation with the affected landowner, who will be compensated as appropriate.
The gas plant site will not impact on the productivity of agricultural land. However, it is possible that potential changes to the local amenity and perceived health impacts for residents situated closer to the gas plant may detract from the desirability of some land, reducing its value. However, this is a perceived impact and may not be realised, as there are no houses directly affected by noise and traffic during project operation. Therefore, this is considered be of low residual impact. Employment, Training and Local Business Construction of the Project will require a workforce of up to 300 people over a three-year period. However, since specialist contractors, sourced external to the primary locality, will be responsible for much of the Project construction, employment opportunities available to residents of the primary locality (particularly the unemployed) will be limited.
While the Project will contribute to the employment growth required to meet the demand for jobs identified in the Lower Hunter Regional Strategy (DoP, 2006), benefits will be temporary, lasting for the duration of the construction period.
AGL expect to engage local businesses where possible to service the Project both during construction and operations. Detailed advanced notices of goods and services required by the Project will be issued to assist local businesses meet the needs of the Project. This will contribute towards maintaining local economic stability.
Once operating, the Project will secure gas supply for the Newcastle region, including local businesses and industry. This may include the proposed Macquarie Generation base-load combined cycle gas-fired power station to be located approximately 2 km west of the gas plant. Major industrial gas users in the region include those of the Hunter Gas Users Group (HUG) (Table 7.33).
It is anticipated that the Project will contribute momentum towards the further development of general industry in the primary locality. The Project may also serve as an impetus for an appreciation in land value stimulated by increased local employment and business activity.
Table 7.33 Hunter gas users group members Company Location Industry Tomago Aluminium Company Tomago Aluminium production Milltech Tomago Treated alloy bar production Industrial Galvinisers Hexham Steel galvanizing Orica Mining Services Kooragang Island Ammonia production OneSteel Mayfield Steel manufacture and distribution
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Table 7.33 Hunter gas users group members (cont’d) Company Location Industry Lovells Springs Carrington Spring coiling plant Weston Aluminium Kurri Kurri Aluminium production Hydro Aluminium Kurri Kurri Aluminium production The Treloar Group Rutherford Non-ferrous foundry
Social Infrastructure Pressure on local community health infrastructure and emergency services will be minimised through:
• The implementation of preventative occupational health and safety measures and awareness programs (including a zero-tolerance on-site drug and alcohol policy) to educate Project staff and visitors.
• The provision of on-site basic medical facilities and qualified first aid officers to respond to Project incidents.
• Consultation with local emergency service providers to ensure preparedness in the event of an emergency.
The Project is likely to be classified as a Major Hazard Facility and therefore will need to comply with the requirements for hazard and risk management under the National Standard for the Control of Major Hazard Facilities administered by WorkCover in NSW (see Section 8.1).
A small number of employees will likely to be required to temporarily relocate to the region during Project construction. These temporary residents may slightly increase the demand for general medical and health services, though overall, will be of minimal impact. Such temporary residents may also intermittently use recreational and sporting facilities within the Port Stephens and Newcastle LGAs during leisure times. Impacts to the availability, capacity or condition of local and regional recreational and sporting infrastructure are expected to be minimal.
Some local businesses (e.g., bowling clubs and takeaways) may benefit from additional patrons during construction. Any impact to local or regional recreational or sporting infrastructure is expected to be negligible, as the Project will employ up to 15 people during operations.
A visual impact assessment (see Appendix 11), a traffic assessment (see Appendix 12), a noise and vibration impact assessment (see Appendix 13), and an air emission assessment (see Appendix 14), have been undertaken as part of the Project EA. The impact of the Project on sensitive receptors, including the Hunter Region Botanic Gardens, has been discussed in Sections 7.10, 7.11, 7.12 and 7.13 respectively. 7.9.6 Monitoring AGL will undertake monitoring of socio-economic parameters, such that effects of the project on the socio-economic conditions can be quantified and additional management measures can be applied if necessary.
Potential parameters to be monitored include:
• The number of jobs created by the Project for local residents during the construction period to assist in quantifying the positive impacts of the Project on workforce participation.
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• Stakeholder feedback via the implementation of a community information line to ensure that issues associated with the Project are appropriately addressed.
• The local community’s response and awareness of the Project as a result of the community consultation program.
• Long-term benefits to the community achieved by AGL’s partnering with stakeholders.
7.10 Visual Amenity 7.10.1 Study Methods A visual impact assessment was prepared by Terras Landscape Architects (Appendix 11). The aim of the assessment was to describe the visual character of the landscape surrounding the Project; assess potential landscape and visual impacts as a result of the Project; and proposed measures for the reduction, mitigation and management of impacts to the visual amenity associated with the Project.
The visual impact assessment focuses on the tall components of the gas plant site, the flare stack and the storage tank. The remaining structures within the gas plant site are low profile buildings that cannot be seen due to the surrounding taller canopy vegetation. The assessment also considers the visual impact of the other project components.
The assessment included:
• A desktop analysis of aerial maps, vehicular routes, topography, residential areas and adjoining land uses.
• A viewpoint analysis to identify locations where scenic quality is likely to be affected by the Project and to provide a visual indication of the Project's likely impact on those views.
• Selection of representative viewpoints. Viewpoint selection criteria included consideration of where views can be obtained from publicly frequented locations such as major traffic corridors, residential areas, prominent lookouts or locations of high scenic value.
• Use of brightly coloured helium-filled marker balloons to allow observation of visual impacts of the LNG storage tank and flare stack to be determined at representative viewpoints. The balloons were tethered in the approximate future locations of the LNG storage tank and flare stack and set to the maximum height of the LNG storage tank (56 m above existing ground level) and flare stack (30 m above existing ground level). An upper marker balloon provided a visual scale for dimensional scaling of montages.
• Written descriptions (with accompanying images) of the existing visual environment were prepared, based on observations at each viewpoint while the marker balloons were in place. This provided an appreciation of the Project's local context, including vegetation, topography and surrounding development.
• Visual impact assessment at each viewpoint against assessment criteria. A value rating was assigned according to the visual quality, visual sensitivity, visual effect and visual impact.
Visual data were collected at 21 viewpoints in order to determine the actual views of the Project components (Figure 7.23 and Table 7.34). Night images were taken from viewpoints 4 and 11, where it was estimated the flare stack may be visible at night.
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Table 7.34 Viewpoint locations No. Location Distance Reason for Selection from Gas Plant Site (km) Foreground (less than 1 km) 21 South eastern boundary, Hunter 0.75 Nearest cleared public access on Crown Land, Botanical Gardens within electricity easement. View to southeast 20 Southern boundary, Hunter 1.0 Nearest public access to site, via botanical Botanical Gardens gardens. View to southeast Middleground (1 to 6 km) 17 Unnamed road, off Tomago 1.7 Nearest vehicular access to east of site. Road, Tomago Potential for clear visual access due to lack of View to north vegetation and development in foreground. 16 Tomago Road, Tomago 1.8 Nearest main road to east of site. Potentially View to northwest high viewer access due to high volume of vehicular traffic - Residential. 18 Tomago Road, Tomago 1.9 Nearest main road to south of site and on View to northwest periphery of industrial development. Potentially high viewer access due to high volume of vehicular traffic. 3 Pacific Highway, Tomago 2.0 As per Viewpoint 1. View to east 2 Pacific Highway, Motto Farm 2.5 As per Viewpoint 1. View to southeast 19 Tomago Road, Tomago 2.8 Potentially high viewer access due to high View to northeast volume of vehicular traffic. 1 Corner of Pacific Highway and 3.0 Potentially high viewer access due to high Motto Lane, Heatherbrae volumes of traffic using Pacific Highway. View to southeast Nearest main carriageway to site. 4 Pacific Highway, Hexham 4.1 Potentially high viewer access due to high Approximately 500m north of volumes of traffic using Pacific Highway, plus Hexham Bridge unobstructed foreground views towards direction View to northeast of site. 5 Pacific Highway, northbound 4.8 Potentially high viewer access due to high Hexham Bridge. volumes of traffic using Pacific Highway, plus View to northeast elevated viewer location provides greater viewing potential. 8 Pacific Highway, Hexham 5.1 Potentially high viewer access due to high View to northeast volumes of traffic using highway - Residential. 9 Pacific Highway, Sandgate 5.3 As per Viewpoint 8 - Residential. View to northeast 10 Ferry Road, Sandgate 5.8 Unobstructed views across water towards site View to north provide potential clear visual access.
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Table 7.34 Viewpoint locations (cont’d) No. Location Distance Reason for Selection from Gas Plant Site (km) Regional Views (greater than 6 km) 11 Pambalong Road, Steel River 7.3 Potential distant open views across grasslands Industrial Area in undeveloped industrial estate. View to northward 15 Fullerton Cove Road, Fern Bay 8.2 As per Viewpoint 14. View to northwest 13 Nelson Bay Road, Fern Bay 9.4 Potentially open views across water. Nearest View to northwest high volume vehicular access to east of waterbody. 14 Fullerton Cove Road, Fern Bay 9.4 Potentially open views across water. Nearest View to northwest vehicular access to east of waterbody - Residential. 12 Stockton Bridge, Fern Bay 9.8 Elevated position allows for greater viewshed View to northwest unobstructed by vegetation or structures at ground level. Hexham Receiving Station No. Location Distance Reason for Selection from Hexham Receiving Station Site 6 Old Maitland Road, Hexham 10 m Hexham receiving station site. View to southwest Close proximity viewpoint due to obstruction of views by existing side boundary fences. 7 Old Maitland Road, Hexham 20 m As per viewpoint 6. View to southeast
7.10.2 Existing Environment The majority of the Primary Project Area is surrounded by trees. There is significant industrial development south of the Primary Project Area towards the Tomago industrial estate. Cleared agricultural and rural lands exist between the Tomago industrial estate and Hunter River, with mangroves located along the northern banks of the Hunter River.
The nearest high volume traffic roadways are the Pacific Highway and Tomago Road. Medium to high density commercial development aligns both sides of the highway at Heatherbrae and Motto Farm and further southward near Tomago. High density industrial development also dominates the western section of Tomago Road, which becomes intermittent heading eastward. In contrast, there are open rural paddocks to the south of this road. This open space increases the visual amenity in this area. Views to the site from Tomago Road are obstructed by these commercial and industrial buildings, while the pockets of native vegetation provide an aesthetic visual buffer.
The gas plant will be approximately 750 m north of the Tomago aluminium smelter. The smelter has six potlines with associated potline stacks and storage silos. The potline stacks are approximately 55 m tall, which is 1 m lower than the maximum height of the gas storage tank.
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The Hexham receiving station site is within a light industrial setting.
The local area is relatively level and the surrounding topographic variation is low. No significant ridgelines or outcrops are present and therefore elevated viewing locations are minimal and distant. 7.10.3 Potential Impacts There will be potential temporary visual impacts from construction activities at the Primary Project Area (largely out of public view), along the selected gas pipeline option (over approximately 5 km and generally often adjacent to public roads) and at the Hexham receiving station site (obscured to some degree by the existing building on the front of the site that will remain).
During the later stage of construction and during operations there will be potential impacts on surrounding residential areas, landscape character and visual amenity from new structures, removal of vegetation and night-time lighting.
Structures on the gas plant site will have the greatest potential to result in visual impacts, although it will be within the context of the broader industrial nature of the Tomago area. The LNG storage tank will be the tallest project component (up to 56 m) and will have a diameter up to 60 m. The flare on the gas plant site will operate continuously and will be up to 1 m high, but will increase to approximately 2 to 3 m high during liquefaction in the warmer months. It will also be higher during planned maintenance or if depressurisation is required during an emergency, during which it may reach up to 30 m. Aircraft warning lights will be installed on top of the gas storage tank or flare.
There will be potential night-time visual impacts resulting from operation of the flare and building lights. 7.10.4 Avoidance, Mitigation and Management The following mitigation measures will be implemented to address the visual impacts of the Project:
• On completion of the pipeline construction, all disturbed areas of land will be rehabilitated and returned to previous use.
• Selection of non-reflective materials and colours for office buildings will be considered.
The LNG storage tank will be coloured white to reduce heat absorption. Existing vegetation will be retained around the gas plant facility, where possible, to act as a visual screen.
From adjacent residential areas the white storage tank will have minimal contrast against the existing industrial area associated with the TAC Aluminium Smelter.
Additional screen planting will be undertaken on the front and side boundaries of the Hexham receiving station site. Planting will need to allow for the final site layout, location of underground infrastructure and any security surveillance requirements.
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7.10.5 Residual Impact Assessment Gas Plant Foreground – Immediate Vicinity (<1 km) Views to the gas plant site components will be restricted by the surrounding bushland. At the closest viewpoint to the gas plant site on the south side of the Hunter Regional Botanic Gardens (viewpoint 21), the LNG storage tank and flare stack will not be visible. Middle-ground – Local Views (1 km to 6 km) Of the 12 middle-ground viewpoints (1 km to 6 km from the gas plant site), the LNG storage tank and flare will only be visible from viewpoint 5 and 17.
Viewpoint 5 (4.8 km from the gas plant site) is on the northbound lane of Pacific Highway Hexham Bridge. There will be views of the LNG storage tank and flare stack from this elevated location. The viewpoint 5 photomontage (Figure 7.24) shows that the Project will be viewed along with the existing industrial visual impact from a series of sites including the Forgacs shipyard and Tomago Aluminium Smelter. There is no pedestrian access to the bridge so views will be from a vehicle.
Viewpoint 17 (1.7 km from the gas plant site) is on a very low use road adjoining the Tomago Industrial Area. There is no foreground canopy to filter or obstruct vertical views at this viewpoint and the LNG storage tank and flare stack will be visible from this location (Figure 7.25). The tank and flare stack will also not be viewed in isolation, as industrial sheds and towers are already present on the foreground horizon. An existing tower is visible at approximately the same scale as the flare stack.
Viewpoint 16 (1.8 km from the gas plant site) is located next to a residential dwelling along Tomago Road (Figure 7.26). From this location continuous, mature canopy vegetation obstructs all views to the gas plant site.
Viewpoint 9 (5.3 km from the gas plant site) is located along Pacific Highway. Residential views from this point are obstructed through foreground vegetation; secondary mangrove vegetation across the channel provides a secondary visual buffer.
At all other middle-ground viewpoints, existing mature vegetation or commercial and industrial development along the roadside interface will obstruct views to the site. The screening provided by existing vegetation occurs on properties external to the site; therefore any site clearing is not likely to increase the visual impact of the proposal.
A night image was captured from viewpoint 4 (500 m from the Hexham Bridge along the Pacific Highway). This is approximately 4.1 km from the gas plant site (Figure 7.27). The flame (1 m high) above the flare stack was not visible at night, from this point. Background – Regional Views (greater than 6 km) The LNG storage tank and flare stack will impact visually on the skyline from distant views (greater than 6 km from the gas plant site), however this impact will be a small incremental increase on the current visual impact of the nearby Tomago Aluminium Smelter. At these distances, individual structures are not clearly identified or discernable with the naked eye.
The flare stack includes a gas flame operating at its top. Given the limited viewing opportunities to sight the flare except from distant locations and the operating detail provided by AGL, it is unlikely to have a significant visual impact. A night image was captured from viewpoint 11 (7.3 km south of the gas plant site) along Pambalong Road. Only the glow of existing industrial development is visible from this point (Figure 7.28). Coffey Natural Systems 6023_8_Ch7_v3.docx 7-131
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Viewpoint 14 (9.4 km from the gas plant site) is located along Fullerton Cove Road, Fern Bay. Views of the proposed storage tank and flare stack from rural residences will not be visible from this location due to the distance from the site.
Viewpoint 15 (8.15 km from the gas plant site) is located along Fullerton Cove Road, Fern Bay. Views of the proposed storage tank and flare stack from intermittent rural residences will not be visible from this location due to the distance from the site. Access Road and Utility Corridor The access road from TAC northern access road to the gas plant site will require the clearing of a corridor approximately 30 m wide. The access road curves towards the western entry point, eliminating a view along its length from the TAC northern access road. The straight section of the access road will offer views to the gas plant site however this road is likely only be used by personnel and those visiting the site. Gas Pipeline Access Corridor The gas pipeline corridor (approximately 30 m wide) will be cleared of existing vegetation and maintained as such. This will potentially provide views along its 1.6 km axis from the Pacific Highway. The gas plant will be offset from the axis of the gas pipeline corridor so the views along this corridor will be of the low vegetation within the corridor and the taller vegetation either side. Views will be fleeting from moving vehicles. Pipeline Corridors (Option 1 and Option 2) Pipeline construction activities will be visible for up to 12 months from:
• A section of the Pacific Highway (option 1).
• Old Punt Road, the Tomago Caravan Park and a section of Old Maitland Road in Hexham (option 2).
• The southern end of Old Punt Road, the Tomago Caravan Park and a section of Old Maitland Road in Hexham (hybrid option).
The area impacted by the pipeline construction will be rehabilitated and returned to its current use so visual impacts will be temporary. There will be no impacts (visual or otherwise) on the banks of the Hunter River.
Following construction, the pipeline will be underground and the only visual indicator of its presence will be markers on the road side, on existing structures or on dedicated posts warning that there is a buried high pressure gas pipeline. These warning signs will be spaced based on line of sight and a risk assessment process. Hexham Receiving Station The existing double storey brick and weatherboard building on the northern (front) side of the Hexham receiving station site will be retained. A small annex at the back may be demolished. This building will provide some screening of views deeper into the site. The structures within the site will consist mainly of pipes and horizontal tanks and will not exceed the height of the existing building. Some of this infrastructure may be visible from Old Maitland Road. The receiving station is located with an industrial-zoned area and will fit within the visual character of its surroundings. Any visual impact will be minimised by screen planting of the side boundaries.
The Hexham receiving station will not have a significant visual impact on the surrounding area.
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Overall, the visual effect of the Project will be low and will be consistent with the existing visual and landscape character of the area. 7.10.6 Monitoring Program Given no significant visual impacts have been identified as a result of the Project no ongoing visual monitoring program is proposed.
7.11 Traffic 7.11.1 Study Methods A traffic, roads and infrastructure impact assessment was prepared by AECOM Australia Pty Ltd (Appendix 12). The aim of the assessment was to characterise the existing traffic environment, assess any potential Project-related traffic impacts and propose mitigation and management measures to ameliorate the impacts.
The traffic assessment involved inspections of the road networks within the study area, and consultation with the appropriate bodies including the RTA, Port Stephens Council and Newcastle City Council.
The impact assessment was based on the total forecast traffic load (i.e., the additional traffic) generated by the Project during construction and operations, in addition to current traffic loads. 7.11.2 Existing Environment The Tomago area supports light to heavy industrial activity, with some commercial and residential land uses. This area is served by the local road network that includes Old Punt Road and Tomago Road. The Pacific Highway is in the west of Tomago.
The Hexham receiving station, east of the Pacific Highway, is principally served by Old Maitland Road.
All of the major roads in the vicinity of the gas plant site are RTA-approved for B-double use, including the Pacific Highway, Old Punt Road and Tomago Road. Existing Road Network Pacific Highway The Pacific Highway is a 1,025 km major transport route, which links Sydney and Brisbane along the east coast of Australia. The section of the Pacific Highway in Tomago has two lanes in each direction and a speed limit that varies from 60 km/h to 80 km/h. The Hexham Bridge carries the Pacific Highway over the Hunter River and has two southbound lanes and three northbound lanes.
The historical average annual daily traffic (AADT) volumes recorded at the permanent RTA traffic monitoring stations on the Pacific Highway, are provided in Table 7.35.
The average growth in traffic volume on the Pacific Highway in the Tomago area is 2.5 % per year. The average growth in traffic volume on the Pacific Highway in the area of Hexham is 1.7 % per year.
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Table 7.35 Pacific Highway Historical Traffic Volumes and Growth Pacific Location AADT Highway 1992 1995 1998 2001 2004 Growth/ Year (%) V05.001 Tomago, 1 km north of Hunter 25,419 28,104 31,688 33,275 37,781 3.40% River (between Hexham Bridge and Tomago Road) 5.052 Hexham, south of New _ 45,527 48,397 48,220 52,833 1.70% England Highway Source: Appendix 12. Old Punt Road Old Punt Road is a bi-directional two-lane road, which connects Tomago Road to the Pacific Highway through the Tomago industrial area. The Old Punt Road and Pacific Highway intersection is signalised (i.e., it has traffic lights) with a left turn slip lane from Old Punt Road and a continuous movement in the northbound direction of the Pacific Highway. The southern end of Old Punt Road intersects with Tomago Road at a roundabout.
The Old Punt Road and the Pacific Highway intersection has recently been upgraded to improve traffic conditions. The upgrades include:
• Installing traffic control signals. • Providing an improved left-turn lane from Old Punt Road onto the Pacific Highway. • Lengthening the merge lane on the Pacific Highway from Old Punt Road. TAC Northern Access Road All trucks carrying bulk materials to and from the smelter use the TAC northern access road, a private road. The gas plant site access road will join the TAC northern access road approximately 140 m south of where the TAC northern access road and Old Punt Road intersects. There are currently an average of 196 truck movements daily bringing raw alumina (i.e., 98 trucks making a trip to and from the smelter) and 36 truck movements bringing petroleum coke to the smelter. There are an average of 186 truck movements associated with dispatching the finished aluminium product per day. This is a total of 418 truck movements (209 truck trips) per day associated with smelter operations. The trucks used for the transport of raw materials are sealed B-double trucks, and are typically semi or B-double flat top trucks for metal products. Future Road Network The proposed extension of the Sydney to Newcastle F3 Freeway is a major road upgrade. A preferred route and a concept design have been prepared. The preferred route commences south of the John Renshaw Drive roundabout, 4.5 km west of Hexham Bridge and travels east. It will cross the New England Highway at Hexham and cross the Hunter River on a new bridge. North of the river, the route will follow the alignment of the existing Pacific Highway in the vicinity of the gas plant site. The F3 Extension concept design has two traffic lanes in each direction, with a provision to upgrade to three lanes in each direction in the future. The main carriageway will have a design speed of between 100 km/h and 110 km/h. The F3 Extension would divert traffic from the existing Pacific Highway leading to improved conditions on the existing route for local trips and a reduction in crash rates. A new interchange will be constructed between the Pacific Highway and Old Punt Road. The Project will continue to be accessed from the TAC northern access road off Old Punt Road.
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Timing of construction and completion of the F3 Extension project is unknown and will depend on funding availability. 7.11.3 Potential Impacts The primary issues relating to traffic arising from the project, are increased traffic volumes and the change in the traffic composition (i.e., greater proportion of heavy vehicles).
Potential impacts associated include a reduction in road safety (particularly at intersections), decreased level of road service (speed, travel time, manoeuvrability and delay), and increased stresses on road infrastructure (such as degradation of road surfaces and the building and upgrading of access roads). Traffic Volume and Composition The construction workforce for the Project is expected to peak at approximately 300 people. The majority of the workforce will come from Newcastle and its surrounds and will travel to the sites by a combination of light vehicles and buses.
During Project construction, the volume of both heavy vehicles and light vehicles (Table 7.36) will increase at the Old Punt Road and Pacific Highway intersection and the local road network in the vicinity of the Project.
Construction of the gas plant will generate the highest number of both light and heavy vehicles.
Table 7.36 Construction traffic Component Task Daily Deliveries - Daily Workforce - Heavy Goods Light Vehicles Vehicles Gas plant Site preparation 40 to 50 20 Bulk earth works 20 20 Structural works 1 (two month period) 20 to 30 250 Structural works 2 (remainder of period) 5 250 Commissioning 3 30 Rehabilitation and landscaping 4 20 Pipeline Construction 20 50 Access road Construction 10 50 and utility corridor Hexham Construction 5 25 receiving station
The highest number of heavy vehicles during Project construction will occur during Year 1 and the highest number of light vehicles will occur during Year 3 of construction (Table 7.37). Construction associated with the Hexham receiving station is likely to generate five heavy vehicles and 25 light vehicles per day during construction.
A range of equipment will be required during construction including mobile cranes, site vehicles, diesel generators and welding machines.
The operation workforce for the Project will be approximately 15 employees, with additional contractors required for some activities including maintenance. The workforce will travel to the site by light vehicles.
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Table 7.37 Maximum daily and morning peak hour Project construction generated traffic Deliveries (Heavy Goods Vehicles) Workforce (Light Vehicles) Year Morning Peak Daily Morning Peak Hour Daily Hour 1 50 33 270 270 2 5 3 250 250 3 29 19 300 300
Under normal operating conditions the only significant traffic movements will be (Table 7.38):
• LNG tankers from the gas plant. At full operational capacity, it is expected the storage facility will dispatch up to 1,000 LNG tankers per year, less than three tankers per day.
• Waste water tankers from the gas plant. Waste water will be removed by approximately 180 tanker trips per year (120 tanker trips annually for amenities, and 60 tankers annually for blowdown water), less than one tanker per day.
Table 7.38 Operations traffic Component Hours Deliveries Per Day (Heavy Workforce Per Day (Shifts) Goods Vehicles) (Light Vehicles) Gas Plant 7am to 3pm 3 (LNG tankers) 15 (workforce) <1 (waste water tankers) 5 (visitors) 5 (other delivery trucks) 3pm to 11pm 0 7 (workforce) 11pm to 7am 0 2 (workforce)
Risk of a Motor Vehicle Accident There is a potential for an increase in accidents due to the increased traffic movements. Road Network Infrastructure and Access Increased traffic from the Project has the potential to affect the existing road network infrastructure in the vicinity of the Project. The likelihood of any such impacts, such as degradation of road surfaces, is dependent on the existing pavement and infrastructure condition and change in use due to the Project.
In terms of indirect impacts, closing of the road shoulder and works within the road verge might result in reduced speeds along the Pacific Highway in the vicinity of the construction works. Intersections Increased traffic volumes, as well as altered traffic composition have the potential to affect the operation and the safety of the following road intersections:
• Old Punt Road and the Pacific Highway. • TAC Northern Access Road and Old Punt Road. • Old Punt Road and Tomago Road. Gas Pipeline Infrastructure The gas pipeline construction may impact upon the following road sections (see Figure 4.2 in Section 4):
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• Option 1: Within an easement on private land adjacent to the southern side of the Pacific Highway from the unsealed road HDD exit point to near the north end of Old Punt Road.
• Option 2: Along Old Punt Road from the Forgacs car park HDD exit point to the Laverick Avenue HDD exit point and from the Kennington Drive HDD exit point to the gas plant to the intersection of the Pacific Highway and Old Punt Road.
The level of service along the Pacific Highway and Old Punt Roads will return to existing conditions once construction of the gas storage facility and the associated gas pipeline are complete. 7.11.4 Avoidance, Mitigation and Management Construction Traffic A construction traffic management plan will be prepared for the Project to minimise any impacts on the road network. Measures in the construction traffic management plan will include:
• Undertake heavy vehicle movements during off-peak hours when traffic volumes are at a minimum, wherever possible.
• Ensure heavy vehicles meet the Australian Road Rules and RTA standards so that road safety is not compromised.
• Transport oversized equipment and machinery in accordance with the RTA guidelines for oversized movements.
• Implement appropriate signage to warn road users of the presence of construction vehicles as well as changes to the normal traffic conditions.
• Notify the local community by means of public notice publications and advertisements on the progress of the Project and the scheduling of works so as to inform the local community of any additional vehicles added onto the local road network.
These measures will be developed and implemented in consultation with RTA, Port Stephens Council and Newcastle City Council. Over-dimensional Loads It is anticipated that some Project components will be transported as over-dimensional loads during construction. Required permits will be obtained. Traffic Construction Areas A number of temporary construction areas will be required along the route of the pipeline for its construction. Safe traffic movement in and out of these sites will be described in the construction traffic management plan. Gas Pipeline Construction The pipeline construction may necessitate the partial closure of traffic lanes along Old Punt Road during pipeline installation (if option 2 is selected). Temporary decking will be implemented if required during the trenching works to allow vehicles to traverse the open trench. The construction traffic management plan will outline management measures to protect pedestrian, cyclist and vehicular movements.
Construction activities will progressively move along the pipeline alignment and traffic delays during construction will be temporary. If option 1 along the Pacific Highway is selected as the
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preferred route, construction will occur on adjacent private land bordering the road easement. This is not expected to directly impact the traffic flow Pacific Highway.
In terms of indirect impacts, closing of the road shoulder and works within the road verge might result in reduced speeds along the Pacific Highway in the vicinity of the construction works. Operations Traffic Operation traffic management controls will be implemented to ensure staff, contractor and public safety relating to vehicle transport. AGL will apply its safe driver conduct policies and standards applicable to all AGL staff and contractors. Other controls include:
• Implement driver and pedestrian safety awareness programs.
• Review speed limits across the Project sites for all vehicles.
• Conduct a random alcohol and drug testing program.
• Construct and seal the access road to meet RTA standards for a mixture of heavy and light vehicles.
No upgrades of public road intersections are required as the intersections in the vicinity of the Project currently have sufficient capacity for Project construction and operations traffic.
The operations traffic associated with the new access road into the gas plant site is expected to generate approximately two trucks per peak hour. Due to the low vehicle numbers, the access road is expected to generate minimal traffic impacts in the local area. 7.11.5 Residual Impact Assessment Traffic Volume and Composition During construction of the Hexham receiving station, there will be a temporary increase in traffic volumes on all roads in the vicinity of the Project. The RTA Pacific Highway permanent traffic monitoring station, to the west of the Primary Project Area, had an AADT of 52,833 vehicles in 2004 (see Table 7.35). Applying a 1.7% average annual growth rate at this point of the Pacific Highway, the AADT for 2010 equates to 58,300 vehicles. The Project construction traffic will be less that 0.1% of the AADT on the Pacific Highway. Construction traffic will therefore have a negligible impact on the traffic volume and composition on roads in the vicinity of the Hexham receiving station.
The routes to be used by construction vehicles already carry a high proportion of commercial/heavy vehicles. Given the existing industrial nature of the area surrounding the Project, the consequence of a change in traffic volume and composition will be minor.
Operations traffic will have a negligible impact on the traffic volume and composition on all roads in the vicinity of the Project. Old Punt Road and the Pacific Highway Intersection The average annual growth rate on the road network in the vicinity of the site is 2.5%. This growth rate has been applied to the existing traffic flows at the intersection in order to determine peak hour base traffic flows. The predicted peak hour base traffic flows predicted up until the year 2014 indicate that the Old Punt Road and Pacific Highway intersection will perform with minimal average delays.
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From October 2004 to August 2010, there were 67 crashes on the Pacific Highway between the intersection with Old Punt Road and Hexham Bridge (inclusive). Of the 67 crashes, there were two fatal crashes, 26 injury crashes and 39 non-casualty crashes. One of the fatal crashes occurred at the intersection of Old Punt Road and Pacific Highway. This occurred before the intersection was upgraded to a signalised intersection.
Project construction traffic will have a small impact on the intersection in the morning peak hour. The level of service in each future year is likely to drop from A to B; however, this is still considered to be performing acceptably according to RTA level of service standards. The intersection continues to operate with spare capacity in the future years (approximately 25% spare capacity).
Project operations are considered to have a negligible impact on the Old Punt Road and Pacific Highway intersection, and the local road network. The intersection will continue to perform acceptably in the morning and afternoon peaks at level of service A and B respectively.
No changes to this intersection will be required as a result of Project traffic. TAC Northern Access Road and Old Punt Road intersection The operations traffic that the Project is expected to generate is minimal (see Table 7.38). Initial analysis of the T-junction of the TAC northern access road and Old Punt Road (Appendix 12) indicates that a simple priority controlled intersection layout is sufficient and turning lanes or storage lanes are not required.
Due to the low vehicle numbers, the intersection is expected to have minimal impact on the existing through traffic on the TAC northern access road. Old Punt Road and Tomago Road Intersection The Project will have a minimal temporary impact on the surrounding road networks, during construction. This Project traffic will be well within the roadway capacities. The existing road networks are generally in good condition and meet the relevant standards. The existing industrialised nature of the surrounding region means that the presence of heavy vehicles used for both the construction and operations will not be out of character with the region and will not lead to heavy vehicle traffic in a residential area unaccustomed to traffic of this type. Motor Vehicle Accidents During the construction phase, the traffic intensity is expected to be higher around the gas plant site due to movements of personnel, construction materials and equipment. The likelihood of accidents per traffic movement is not expected to change. Gas Pipeline Construction Construction activities will progressively move along the pipeline alignment and traffic delays during construction will be temporary. If option 1 is selected as the preferred route, construction work will occur adjacent to the Pacific Highway in private land bordering the Pacific Highway road easement, and will not directly impact the Pacific Highway.
Once completed the buried pipeline will cause no further traffic delays or impose any stress upon the existing road network infrastructure. 7.11.6 Monitoring Program A detailed construction traffic management plan will be prepared and implemented.
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7.12 Noise and Vibration 7.12.1 Study Methods A noise and vibration impact assessment was prepared by Atkins Acoustics and Associates Pty Ltd (Appendix 13). The aim of the assessment was to characterise the existing noise and vibration environment, assess any potential Project-related noise and vibration impacts and propose mitigation and management measures to ameliorate the impacts.
Existing ambient noise was measured at six representative sensitive receptors using unattended noise loggers during 12 to 23 June 2009 and 23 August to 2 September 2010. These sites were chosen to be representative of the closest sensitive receptors to the gas plant and Hexham receiving station and potentially will be exposed to operational noise from the receiving station and gas plant, as well as construction-related noise along the access roads and gas pipeline corridors. Ambient noise data was evaluated in accordance with the Industrial Noise Policy (EPA, 2000).
In accordance with the Industrial Noise Policy, noise data was excluded from monitoring results where average wind speeds were greater than 5 m/s and/or rain or other extraneous noise was identified. Ambient noise levels were measured 1.5 m above the ground and reported as rating background level (RBL) and the A-weighted continuous sound pressure level (LAeq). Rating background level is the level of noise for a given period of day (day, evening or night) and is obtained by calculating the median noise level during these periods over different days. The LAeq is the level of noise, which, if maintained for the duration of the measuring period, would be equal to the energy of the varying noise environment.
Meteorological conditions were characterised by assessing modelled weather data provided by PAE Holmes (Appendix 14), data from the Bureau of Meteorology weather stations at Williamtown and Newcastle, from the OEH station at Beresfield and TAC weather station (see Section 6.2, Environmental Context and Section 7.13, Air Quality).
Construction and operations noise from the gas plant and the Hexham receiving station was modelled using the DECCW-approved environmental noise model (ENM) computer model. This model takes into account noise attenuation factors including distance, ground absorption, atmospheric absorption, topographical features in the area and the typical operating conditions of the project equipment and infrastructure. Sound power data for the gas plant infrastructure was adapted from analogous infrastructure modelled in Torrens Island Energy Park, Environmental Noise Assessment (Sonus, 2009). Sound power data for the Hexham receiving station infrastructure was obtained from manufacturers’ data and from measured sound power data. Noise emissions from the Hexham receiving station will vary with the gas flow through the station. Therefore, high and low gas flow conditions were modelled.
The modelling scenarios for Project operations included calm and adverse weather conditions. Calm weather conditions were defined as 60% relative humidity, a temperature of 20°C and no wind. Adverse conditions, i.e., weather conditions where noise levels at sensitive receivers may be enhanced, were modelled for five source-to-receptor wind scenarios and a temperature inversion scenario. Modelled adverse conditions included the following source to receptor winds at 2 m/s (7.2 km/h), 60% relative humidity and a temperature of 20°C:
• Northerly wind. • East-northeasterly wind. • Southeasterly wind.
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• Westerly wind. • Northwesterly wind.
A temperature inversion was defined as an increase of temperature of 3°C per 100 m above ground, with a 2 m/s source-to-receptor wind, 60% relative humidity and a ground level temperature of 15°C.
The noise study did not specifically consider low frequency noise as the specifications for the gas plant and Hexham receiving station are based on preliminary design. 7.12.2 Existing Environment Noise Sources and Receptors All representative sensitive receptors monitored within the Tomago and Hexham areas are currently exposed to industrial and traffic noise sources.
The locations of the representative sensitive noise receptors are shown in Table 7.39 and Figure 7.29. The ambient noise levels at these receptors are shown in Table 7.40.
Table 7.39 Representative sensitive noise receptors Receptor ID Description of Receptor Distance From Noise Source (m) Gas Plant R1 Hunter Region Botanic Gardens* 460 R2 5 Graham Drive (Residence) 1,300 R3 45 School Drive (Residence) 1,200 R4 Tomago Village Caravan Park 2,700 Hexham Receiving Station R4 Tomago Village Caravan Park 1,300 R5 217 Old Maitland Road (Residence) 330 R6 185 Old Maitland Road (Residence) 150 * Southeastern boundary of botanic gardens.
Table 7.40 Ambient noise levels at representative sensitive receptors
Receptor ID RBL (dBA) Ambient LAeq Day Evening Night Day Evening Night R1* 41.4 39.1 37.7 50.6 45.2 45.9 R2* 42.2 38.7 36.8 55.7 50.5 48.7 R3* 46.2 44.0 43.5 53.5 51.5 49.0 R4† 49.9 47.5 45.7 55.4 55.2 55.1 R5† 43.7 45.3 39.7 56.0 51.8 52.9 R6† 44.0 45.0 40.0 56.0 52.0 53.0 Day: 7.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m., Monday to Saturday; 8.00 am to 6.00 p.m., Sunday and public holidays. Evening: 6.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m. Night: 10.00 p.m. to 7.00 a.m., Monday to Saturday; 10.00 p.m. to 8.00 a.m., Sunday and public holidays. * Noise recorded between August and September 2010. † Noise recorded in June 2009.
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For context, typical sound pressure levels are described in Table 7.41.
Table 7.41 Typical sound pressure levels experienced by humans Sound Pressure Typical Source Subjective Response Level (dBA) 130 Threshold of pain Intolerable 120 Heavy rock concert Very noisy 110 Grinding on steel 100 Loud car horn at 3 m Noisy 90 Construction site with pneumatic hammering 80 Kerb-side of busy street Loud 70 Loud radio or television 60 Department store Moderate to quiet 50 General office 40 Inside private office Quiet to very quiet 30 Inside bedroom 20 Unoccupied recording studio Almost silent Source: Noise and Vibration Assessment (Appendix 13).
The Pacific Highway, which is west of the project area, is a major transport corridor linking Sydney and Brisbane (see Figure 7.29). This highway provides daily traffic numbers in excess of 37,000 vehicle movements and contributes significant traffic noise to the project area.
The gas plant site is situated approximately 2 km northeast of the Tomago industrial area and 4 km northeast of the Hexham industrial area and therefore is not exposed to industrial noise from these areas. It is located on zoned industrial land and is well separated from residential dwellings. Ambient noise levels in the vicinity of the gas plant site are low compared to other receptors. Receptor R1 (Hunter Region Botanic Gardens) is 460 m north of the site and has the second lowest RBL and lowest ambient LAeq of the six receptors. To the southeast of the gas plant site noise monitoring was undertaken at two residential receptors (R2 and R3).
Both have higher ambient noise levels than Receptor R1 but are still relatively low compared to other receptors. Receptor R3 (45 School Drive) has relatively high noise levels at night (see Table 7.40) possibly due to traffic movements along Tomago Road.
The western section of the Primary Project Area is exposed to traffic noise from Pacific Highway, while the eastern section is exposed to similar (relatively low) ambient noise level as Receptor R1.
The gas pipeline corridors are exposed to traffic noise from Pacific Highway, Tomago Road, Old Punt Road and the TAC Northern Access Road (with each of the three route options adjacent to these roads). The gas plant access road will join to the TAC Northern Access Road, which then joins to Old Punt Road (see Figure 4.2 in Section 4.1.4). The Northern Access Road is currently used by trucks travelling to and from the Tomago Aluminium Smelter. Traffic on this road consists of up to 418 truck movements (209 return trips) per day of mainly B-double trucks.
Gas pipeline corridor option 1 is adjacent to the Pacific Highway and option 2 passes through the industrial area at Tomago, before both options traverse the industrial area at Hexham further south. These areas are exposed to typical industrial noise sources such as vehicle movements, and operation of equipment and machinery. Receptor R4 (Tomago Village Caravan Park) best
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represents the ambient noise in the Tomago industrial area and has the highest ambient noise of all the receptors (see Table 7.40 and Figure 7.29).
The Hexham receiving station is situated in an industrial estate and has nearby residential land uses along Old Maitland Road (Receptors R5 and R6). The area is exposed to typical industrial noise sources as well as traffic from Pacific Highway and Main Northern Railway, both of which are within 400 m to the east (see Figure 7.29). Meteorological Conditions The lower Hunter region is subject to seasonal prevailing winds and temperature inversions. For all receptor locations, adverse winds (winds blowing from source-to-receiver) do not occur for more than 30% of the time. The Industrial Noise Policy recommends that atmospheric stability and wind effects be assessed when these adverse conditions occur for 30% of the time or more in an assessment period or season.
The local area is prone to moderate (F-class) atmospheric temperature inversions during night- time (6.00 p.m. to 7.00 a.m.) in winter – occurring 88% of the time in this period. Temperature inversions occur where atmospheric temperature increases with altitude and the warmer air refracts noise vibrations down towards the ground and hence facilitates the travel of noise to receptors. F-class temperature inversions are typical of non-arid areas such as the Hunter Valley (EPA, 2000 – Appendix F).
The Industrial Noise Policy recommends that locations with a 30% threshold of occurrence level of F-class temperature inversions be considered when assessing the effects of temperature inversions on noise levels (EPA, 2000 – Appendix F). Therefore these temperature inversions have been considered in the operations noise assessment. 7.12.3 Potential Impacts Noise Emissions During Construction Project construction activities have the potential to exceed Interim Construction Noise Guidelines (DECC, 2009) and Environmental Criteria for Road Traffic Noise 1999 (EPA, 1999) at sensitive receptors and result in disturbance at these receptors.
Using the assessment methods in the Interim Construction Noise Guidelines, project construction noise goals are set at a management level (LAeq(15 min)) of ‘noise affected’, which recommends that construction noise does not exceed the RBL by more than 10 dBA at a receptor during the day and 5 dBA during the evening and night (Table 7.42). The ‘noise affected’ level represents the point above which there may be some community reaction to the noise (DECCW, 2010b).
Passive recreation areas have a management level of 60 LAeq(15 min) (DECC, 2009). This management level is applicable to receptor R1 (Botanic Gardens) when the gardens are in use.
The Environmental Criteria for Road Traffic Noise (EPA, 1999) sets assessment goals of LAeq, 15 hr and LAeq, 9 hr as 60 dBA (day) and 55 dBA (night), for land use development ‘with potential to create additional road traffic on existing freeways/arterial roads’. In the case where background levels exceed these levels, the Project should not increase the existing noise levels by more than 2 dBA.
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Table 7.42 Construction noise goals at receptors
Receptor ID LAeq (15 min) (dBA) Day Evening Night R1 60 (when in use) R2 52 44 42 R3 56 49 49 R4 60 53 51 R5 54 50 45 R6 54 50 45 Day: 7.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m., Monday to Saturday; 8.00 am to 6.00 p.m., Sunday and public holidays. Evening: 6.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m. Night: 10.00 p.m. to 7.00 a.m., Monday to Saturday; 10.00 p.m. to 8.00 a.m., Sunday and public holidays.
The key noise sources during Project construction will be:
• Vehicle traffic – heavy vehicles (expected peak of 50 movements per day); light vehicles (expected peak of 250 vehicles per day). Traffic levels during construction and operations are outlined in Table 7.36 in Section 7.15.3.
• Horizontal directional drilling.
• Construction machinery and equipment (such as welders, drills, cutting equipment and generators).
• Site preparation and land-clearing machinery and equipment (such as bulldozers, graders, chainsaws and earth-moving trucks). Vibration Impacts During Construction Project construction activities have the potential to cause vibration that exceeds vibration level criteria (Assessing Vibration: a technical guideline 2006 (DEC, 2006a and German Standard DIN4150 Part 3 1986) at sensitive receptors and have the potential to cause disturbance of these receptors and/or structural damage.
The guidelines recommend goals for assessing human response and potential disturbance to the occupants of buildings as a result of vibration. Under the guidelines, goals are recommended for two types of vibration relevant to the Project: continuous vibration (e.g., long-running machinery of consistent intensity) and intermittent vibration (e.g., trains, traffic and some machinery).
Table 7.43 outlines guideline vibration levels for human comfort for both continuous and intermittent vibration over a frequency of 1 to 80 Hz (DEC, 2006a).
Table 7.43 Vibration levels for assessment of human comfort Frequency Root-Mean-Square Velocity Level (Hz) (mm/s) Continuous Vibration Intermittent Vibration Day (2) Night (1.4) Day (60) Night (20) 1 3.2 2.2 95 31 1.25 2.3 1.6 68 22 1.6 1.6 1.1 47 15 2 1.1 0.8 33 11 2.5 0.8 0.6 24 8.0
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Table 7.43 Vibration levels for assessment of human comfort (cont’d) Frequency Root-Mean-Square Velocity Level (Hz) (mm/s) Continuous Vibration Intermittent Vibration Day (2) Night (1.4) Day (60) Night (20) 3.15 0.6 0.4 17 5.8 4 0.4 0.3 19 4.0 5 0.3 0.2 9.5 3.2 6.3 0.3 0.2 7.6 2.5 8 0.2 0.1 6.0 2.0 10 0.2 0.1 6.0 2.0 12.5 0.2 0.1 6.0 2.0 16 0.2 0.1 6.0 2.0 20 0.2 0.1 6.0 2.0 25 0.2 0.1 6.0 2.0 31.5 0.2 0.1 5.4 1.8 40 0.2 0.1 6.0 2.0 50 0.2 0.1 6.0 2.0 63 0.2 0.1 6.0 2.0 80 0.2 0.1 6.0 2.0 () Number in brackets refers to multiplying factor used to specify satisfactory magnitudes of building vibration with respect to human response in accordance with DECCW, Assessing Vibration: a technical guideline Table B.1 (DEC, 2006a).
German Standard DIN4150 guidelines for assessing the effects of vibrations on structures are summarised in Table 7.44 below.
Table 7.44 Vibrational structural damage safety limits Type of Structure Vibration Level (mm/s) <10 Hz 10 Hz to 50 Hz 50 Hz to 100 Hz Commercial/industrial buildings or 20 20 to 40 40 to 50 buildings with similar design Dwellings and buildings of similar 5 5 to 15 15 to 20 design and/or use Structures of great intrinsic value 3 3 to 8 8 to 10 (e.g., buildings under preservation) Source: German Standard DIN4150 as cited in Appendix 13.
The key vibration sources during Project construction will be:
• Bulldozing. • Grading and excavating (including possible rock hammering). • Surface compacting. • Heavy vehicle movements (including front end loaders and earth-moving trucks).
Potential noise and vibration impacts to fauna are discussed in Section 7.5.
No vibration impacts are expected during operations.
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Noise Emissions During Operations Project operations activities have the potential to exceed noise level criteria (DECCW Industrial Noise Policy 2000 (EPA, 2000), DECCW Environmental Criteria for Road Traffic Noise 1999 (EPA, 1999) and DECCW Noise Guide for Local Government 2010 (DECCW, 2010b)) at sensitive receptors and result in disturbance at these receptors.
The Industrial Noise Policy provides environmental noise criteria for controlling intrusive noise
(where LAeq,15 min is to be no more than 5 dBA greater than the RBL). It also provides ambient amenity noise criteria (LAeq level from industrial sources should not exceed the recommended noise levels for urban land use during the day (60 LAeq), evening (50 LAeq) and night (45 LAeq)).
The level for controlling amenity noise at passive recreation areas (when in use) is 50 LAeq and will apply to receptor R1 (Botanic Gardens).
The Criteria for Road Traffic Noise discussed in ‘Noise Emissions During Construction’ above also applies to operations traffic.
Although there is no formal guideline related to sleep disturbance, the Noise Guide for Local
Government (DECCW, 2010b) suggests that a LA(1 min) of 15 dBA or more than the background level indicates the potential for this to occur.
Using the methods outlined in Section 2 of the Industrial Noise Policy (EPA, 2000), project operations noise goals were derived with the aim of controlling intrusive (or annoying, high- energy, intermittent noise) and maintaining noise level amenity of residences and land uses in the area. These operations noise goals to be met at each receptor location are listed in Table 7.49 in Section 7.12.5.
The key noise sources during Project operations will be:
• Gas plant facilities: – Gas turbines (including air intakes, enclosure ventilation systems and exhaust stack noise). – Lube-oil radiator fans. – Heating, ventilation and air conditioning for the buildings. – Compressors (including motors and fans). – Pumps (including truck loading pumps). – Flare system. – Emergency response alarms and vehicle alarms.
• Hexham receiving station facilities: – Dry gas filters. – Meters. – Flow control valves.
Traffic noise sources during Project operations will include LNG tankers (maximum of three per day) and several daily movements of light vehicles. Wastewater (collected in a wastewater collection tank at the gas plant site) will be transported by tankers offsite for treatment and disposal. This will require approximately 180 tanker trips per year.
Noise due to traffic during the operations phase will occur mainly within the Primary Project Area, the north end of Old Punt Road and along the Pacific Highway.
Operation of the gas pipeline itself will not have any noise impacts on sensitive receptors as only occasional inspection and maintenance will be carried out by light vehicles.
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7.12.4 Avoidance, Mitigation and Management Noise Emissions During Construction A noise and vibration management plan will be prepared as part of the construction environmental management plan (CEMP) to ensure construction noise levels are adequately controlled and any impacts managed. It will be prepared in line with practices outlined in DECCW Interim Construction Noise Guideline 2009 and DECCW Environmental Criteria for Road Traffic Noise 1999 and in consultation with the Port Stephens Council, Newcastle City Council and DECCW. The CEMP will be implemented by AGL and the construction contractors.
Construction activities will be undertaken with a focus on noise control at source, noise attenuation and in consultation with potentially affected receptors to minimise the risk of construction noise exceeding noise criteria and disturbing sensitive receptors. The following measures will be implemented (where practical) to manage impacts of construction noise and ensure project goals are met:
• Stage project activities (and reduce simultaneous noise emitting practices) to reduce peak noise levels.
• Incorporate attenuation (such as mufflers) into the design of project equipment and infrastructure.
• Orient equipment away from receptors.
• Restrict noise generating construction activities that generate noise above background at the nearest receptor to daytime hours (7.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. Monday to Friday and 8.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. Saturday). In special circumstances if noise generating evening or night work is required, a consultation process will be undertaken to ensure noise impacts can be adequately controlled. This will be the case for horizontal directional drilling works, which will occur 24/7.
• Schedule high noise generating activities for less sensitive times of the day (including periodic respite breaks from noise).
• Consult potential noise receptors (particularly those within 500 m of the gas pipeline works) about the nature of the noise emissions and avoidance and mitigation practices to be adopted. Complaints and feedback will be recorded and addressed where practical.
• Ensure vehicles and equipment are in good working order and have effective noise reduction features. Vibration Impacts During Construction Construction activities will be implemented with a focus on vibration control at source and consultation with potentially affected receptors.
The following measures will be implemented (where practical) to manage impacts of construction vibration and ensure project goals are met:
• Use alternative, lower-impact equipment or methods where practicable.
• Operate high vibration equipment as far away from receptors as possible. Rock-breakers will not be used within 20 m of residences.
• Schedule vibration-causing equipment to be used at the least sensitive time of day (times of day to be determined in consultation with local stakeholders, including councils).
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• Keep equipment well maintained.
• Reduce instances of simultaneous vibration activities.
• Isolate high vibration equipment on resilient mounds.
• Consult potential receptors about the nature of construction vibration and avoidance and mitigation practices to be adopted (particularly those within 500 m of the pipeline works, including the receptor R5 (217 Old Maitland Road)). Community feedback and complaints will be recorded and addressed where practical. Noise Emissions During Operations Operations activities will be undertaken with a focus on noise control at source, noise attenuation and in consultation with potentially affected receptors, to minimise the risk of operations noise exceeding project noise and vibration goals.
Noise emissions will be confirmed for equipment and infrastructure (including low frequency noise) during detailed design when final specifications are known. At this stage potential low frequency noise emitters could include generators and centrifugal compressors. These plant items will require careful selection and design in order to limit the disturbance from these noise sources. However, it is envisaged that all equipment will not be low frequency noise generators. The potential for high-flow gas flaring will be reviewed and noise assessment may be required to determine impacts of noise associated with high-flow gas flaring. It should be noted that high flow gas flaring signifies an emergency situation and is highly unlikely to occur. If an emergency situation were to arise the noise will be high pitched and last for a short duration (5 to 10 minutes) before decreasing over the following 10 minutes.
The following control measures will be implemented to reduce noise impacts during operations and ensure project noise goals are met:
• Ensure that best practices for noise attenuation (such as exhaust silencers, mufflers and enclosures) and noise minimisation are incorporated into the design of the gas plant and Hexham receiving station.
• Consult potential noise receptors about the nature of operations noise emissions and avoidance and mitigation practices to be adopted. Feedback and complaints will be recorded and addressed where practical.
• Monitor noise levels during operations to ensure localised noise creep (increase in local ambient noise) is not occurring due to the project. 7.12.5 Residual Impact Assessment Noise Emissions During Construction Primary Project Area There will be noise emissions due to construction of the gas plant and access roads and corridors within the Primary Project Area. Construction of the gas plant will occur over approximately three years.
Gas plant construction will require up to 50 heavy vehicle movements per day during site preparation and up to 250 light vehicle movements per day may be required during structural works. Traffic noise emissions will be insignificant compared to existing traffic noise levels as Project traffic will be approximately one to two percent of that of the Pacific Highway (see Section
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7.12.2). Traffic noise emissions along the Pacific Highway will not exceed the 2 dBA increase limit recommended in DECCW Environmental Criteria for Road Traffic Noise 1999 (EPA, 1999) or the Interim Construction Guidelines (10 dBA increase during the day or 5 dBA increase during the evening or night at receptors).
The predicted construction noise levels at various distances from the gas plant site is shown in Table 7.45. There are no residences within 1,000 m of the gas plant site and construction noise emissions are predicted to comply with the noise management goal (60 dBA) for Receptor R1 (Hunter Region Botanic Gardens – when in use). The daytime noise management goals (exceedence of RBL by no more than 10 dBA) for gas plant construction are also predicted to be satisfied for all other sensitive receptors. Therefore, noise emissions from construction of the gas plant and infrastructure within the Primary Project Area will not exceed noise criteria.
Table 7.45 Predicted construction noise levels (Gas Plant) -6 LAeqdBA re: 20 x 10 Pa Distance from Construction Activity (m) Construction Activity 25 m 100 m 250 m 500 m 1000 m 2000 m 3000 m Access Track Construction 79 67 59 53 47 41 37 Vegetation Clearing 81 69 61 55 49 43 39 Site Preparation 79 67 59 53 47 41 37 Concreting 73 61 53 47 41 35 31 Erection/Installation 73 61 53 47 41 35 31 Clean Up 74 62 54 48 42 36 32
Gas Pipeline Corridors There will be noise emissions due to construction of the gas pipeline corridors. Gas pipeline construction activities will be transient over a duration of approximately nine months and is expected to progress past any point on the pipeline route within three weeks. The extent of the impact is dependent on the gas pipeline corridor option chosen and, as such, the worst-case for noise receptors is assumed below for assessment (option 2 and hybrid option).
Noise resulting from gas pipeline traffic will be insignificant in comparison to existing traffic noise levels.
The predicted construction noise levels at various distances from the gas pipeline corridors is shown in Table 7.46.Where sensitive receptors are located within 500 m of the pipeline works, it is possible that the exceedences of construction noise goals (RBL to be exceeded by no more than 10 dBA during the day or 5 dBA during the evening or night) could occur. The receptors most likely to be affected by gas pipeline construction (for option 2 and hybrid option) are receptor R4 (Tomago Village Caravan Park) and receptor R5 (217 Old Maitland Road). Horizontal directional drilling from the Old Maitland Road HDD entry point (option 2) (see Figure 4.2) will occur 24 hours per day for approximately 3 weeks. This is likely to result in disturbing noise levels at receptor R5 which 110 m and 20 m from these HDD sites respectively. The next closest receptor to these works is receptor R6 (185 Old Maitland Road). It is unlikely to be impacted by construction noise.
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Table 7.46 Predicted construction noise levels (gas pipeline) -6 LAeqdBA re: 20 x 10 Pa Distance from Construction Activity (m) Construction Activity 25 m 100 m 250 m 500 m 1000 m 2000 m 3000 m Site Preparation 79 67 59 53 47 41 37 Trenching 79 67 59 53 47 41 37 Directional Drilling* 76 64 56 50 44 38 34 Pipe Install 70 58 50 44 38 32 28 *May be required to occur 24 hours/7 days in vicinity of Hunter River, Tomago industrial area and other areas where surface access is not practical. Hexham Receiving Station There will be noise emissions due to construction of the Hexham receiving station, which will be constructed over a period of up to nine months, although more likely within five months.
Noise resulting from Hexham receiving station traffic will be insignificant in comparison to existing traffic noise levels.
Modelling indicates that construction noise for the Hexham receiving station will comply with the daytime construction noise management goals at the nearest receptors (RBL to be exceeded by no more than 10 dBA).
The predicted construction noise levels at various distances from the Hexham receiving station is shown in Table 7.47. It is unlikely that construction of the Hexham receiving station will exceed noise criteria and disturb sensitive receptors in these areas. This is because the receptors are currently exposed to traffic and industrial noise sources and any increases in noise would be short-term.
Table 7.47 Predicted construction noise levels (Hexham receiving station) -6 LAeqdBA re: 20 x 10 Pa Distance from Construction Activity (m) Construction Activity 150 m 300 m 600 m Site Preparation 49 43 37 Directional Drilling 45 39 33 Concreting 43 37 31 Erection/Installation 43 37 31 Clean Up 44 38 41
Vibration Impacts During Construction Construction activities may cause vibration effects, particularly from earthworks such as rock breaking and surface compacting. The closest potential sensitive receptor is R5 (217 Old Maitland Road), which is approximately 30 m from where rock-breaking activities could occur.
Vibration modelling indicates that the human comfort goal for this receptor (Table 7.48) will be satisfied as will the safety limits for structural damage (see Table 7.43). Vibration levels are predicted to be between 0.3 to 0.5 mm/sec at this receptor, which is classed as ‘barely noticeable’ under German Standard DIN4150 1986 (as referenced in Appendix 13) (see Table 7.48). These goals are also predicted to be satisfied for all other sensitive receptors.
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Table 7.48 Human perception of vibration Vibration Levels (mm/s) Likely Perception 0.15 Perception threshold 0.35 Barely noticeable 1.0 Noticeable 2.2 Easily noticeable 6.0 Strongly noticeable 14.0 Very strongly noticeable Source: German Standard DIN4150 1886 as referenced in Appendix 13. Vibration disturbance to receptor R5 is unlikely as the impact will be barely noticeable and short- term. Also, no structural damage is predicted to occur.
No vibration impacts are predicted for during Project operations. This will be confirmed after equipment selection during detailed design. Noise Emissions During Operations Primary Project Area It is anticipated that operation of the gas plant will be continuous in nature and will not emit intermittent noise with high maximum noise levels. Noise from flaring will be intermittent and short-term. The assessment of flaring is based on low-flow gas and noise assessment for flaring of high-flow gas may be required during detailed design.
Traffic associated with Project operations will mostly be related to the Primary Project Area and will comprise, on average, nine heavy vehicle movements and 44 light vehicle movements per day. Vehicles will range from light transport vehicles to LNG tankers and wastewater tankers, and will be insignificant in comparison to existing traffic-related noise in the area. Operations traffic noise will not exceed the 2 dBA increase limit recommended in EPA, 1999 along the Pacific Highway.
Noise modelling indicates that operational noise goals are satisfied for all sensitive receptors under all the assessed meteorological scenarios (including adverse winds, temperature inversions and calm conditions) (Table 7.49). The noise assessment has not considered low-frequency noise emissions as the final operational specifications for the gas plant and Hexham receiving station are yet to be determined. A review process is proposed during detailed design to characterise low frequency characteristics and ensure any potential noise impacts are controlled and project noise goals are met.
Modelling indicated that there will be no cumulative operations noise between the gas plant and the Hexham receiving station as they are too far apart.
The operation of the gas plant will not exceed noise criteria or cause disturbance at sensitive receptors.
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Table 7.49 Operations noise goals and assessment of predicted noise at receptors Receptor Predicted Sound Pressure Levels (dBA) Project Noise ID Meteorological Conditions Goals (dBA)* 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Gas Plant R1 32 28 33 40 28 27 31 50 R2 16 22 13 11 24 24 25 42 R3 16 20 19 12 19 20 23 41 R4 10 16 19 17 8 9 20 45 R5 - 8 10 8 - - 12 42 R6 3 10 14 6 - - 15 42 Hexham Receiving Station – High Flow R1 - - - - 3 - - 50 R2 ------42 R3 ------41 R4 20 16 15 19 24 21 21 45 R5 47 46 45 46 49 48 48 42 R6 30 30 28 26 30 30 30 42 Hexham Receiving Station – Low Flow R1 - - - - 1 - - 50 R2 ------42 R3 ------41 R4 18 14 13 17 22 19 19 45 R5 45 44 43 44 47 46 45 42 R6 17 19 16 15 19 20 21 42 Noise levels in bold denote exceedence of project operations noise goal. * Project Noise Goal When In Use (R1 Botanic Gardens) and for Night (R2-R6). 1. Calm – 60% relative humidity, temperature 20°C. 2. Northerly wind – 2 m/s, 60% relative humidity, temperature 20°C. 3. East-north-easterly wind – 2 m/s, 60% relative humidity, temperature 20°C. 4. South-easterly wind – 2 m/s, 60% relative humidity, temperature 20°C. 5. Westerly wind – 2 m/s, 60% relative humidity, temperature 20°C. 6. North-westerly wind – 2 m/s, 60% relative humidity, temperature 20°C. 7. Temperature inversion – 3°C/100 m and 2 m/s wind, 60% relative humidity and temperature 15°C. Hexham Receiving Station Noise modelling indicates that, without additional noise attenuation, noise emissions during operation of the Hexham receiving station will exceed noise criteria at R5 (217 Old Maitland Road) during low and high gas flow and under all meteorological scenarios (see Table 7.49). This exceedence ranges from 1 to 5 dBA for low gas flow and 3 to 7 dBA for high gas flow.
Noise reductions of up to 7 dB will be achieved during detailed design of the receiving station to ensure that project noise goals are met by incorporating widely used additional controls such as:
• Reselection of valves and fittings with low noise emissions. • Design of pipe trains to reduce flow velocities and turbulence. • Insulation of pipes. • Enclosure of the primary regulating station and equipment.
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The operation of Hexham receiving station will be continuous and will not emit intermittent noise with high maximum noise levels.
It is unlikely that operation of the Hexham receiving station will cause significant disturbance as additional noise controls will be determined during detailed design and the operational project noise goals will be met.
Under normal operating conditions, the Hexham receiving station will generate negligible traffic (mainly for inspection and maintenance) volumes and no traffic noise impacts are expected. 7.12.6 Monitoring Program Noise and vibration monitoring programs will be developed as part of the noise and vibration management plan.
The programs will focus on monitoring:
• Noise emissions during construction to ensure equipment is meeting noise certification and criteria requirements and detect any faulty or damaged equipment.
• Noise emissions during operations to ensure the gas plant and Hexham receiving facility are meeting noise criteria and are not resulting in ‘noise creep’ in the area.
• Vibration levels during construction to ensure vibration criteria are being met.
• Responding to community complaints in line with EPA license conditions.
7.13 Air Quality 7.13.1 Study Methods An air quality assessment was prepared by PAE Holmes (Appendix 14). The aim of the assessment was to characterise the existing air quality, assess any potential Project-related impacts and propose mitigation and management measures to ameliorate the impacts. The air quality impact assessment was undertaken in accordance with DECCW Approved Methods for the Modelling and Assessment of Air Pollutants in NSW (DEC, 2005a). It focused on the principal
Project emissions: nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5). It was conservatively assumed that NOx are 100% nitrogen dioxide (NO2) as opposed to a more realistic 10 to 20% NO2.
Meteorological data from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology station located at the Williamtown Royal Australian Air Force base was used for the assessment. Meteorological and air quality data from the BOM Newcastle Nobbys weather station; the OEH Beresfield air quality monitoring station; and the TAC weather station and air quality monitoring stations (Figure 7.30) were also used.
The existing air quality of the Project airshed was characterised based on hourly NO2, SO2 PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations, measured at the Beresfield station and hourly SO2 concentrations from the TAC air quality monitoring stations: Farm Site, Met Site, Highway Site (2008 and 2009 data) and Farm Site, Met Site, Highway Site, Laverick Avenue Site and School Drive Site (1 January 2010 to 30 September 2010 data).
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