Noise, light and odour issues
Any environmental nuisance issues, such as noise, light and odour, are covered by environmental authority conditions.
Noise
The environmental management plan (EM Plan) prepared by a CSG operator must accompany any application for a Level 1 environmental authority. The EM Plan provides for the protection of the acoustic environment which may include:
- health and biodiversity of ecosystems
- human health and wellbeing, including ensuring a suitable acoustic environment for individuals to sleep, study or learn, and be involved in recreation, including relaxation and conversation
- the amenity of the community.
In addition, CSG operators are required to prepare a noise management plan to address how activities will be carried out, according to best practice noise management principles. Best-practice noise management principles include:
- noise impact assessments and emission calculations
- stakeholder engagement
- adoption of noise attenuating technologies for plant and equipment
- minimising background creep
- containing and minimising variable noise
- avoiding sleep disturbance.
Environmental authorities for CSG activities also contain noise criteria and other relevant requirements to ensure the protection of the acoustic environment at sensitive receptors. CSG operators are legally obligated to comply with the requirements of the environmental authority.
Read more about Prescribing Noise Conditions on Environmental Authorities (PDF, 388K)*
Air contaminants (dust, light and odour)
CSG operators must outline in an EM Plan any environmental values that are relevant to air quality. These may include :
- protection of the health and biodiversity of ecosystems
- protection of human health and wellbeing
- protecting the aesthetics of the environment, including the appearance of buildings, structures and other property
- protecting agricultural use of the environment.
The EM Plan must provide for the protection of air values and include control procedures to minimize dust, visible light at night and odour.
The description in the EM Plan of the environmental values of the air shed must be accompanied by details of the specific air quality objectives to be maintained in that airshed for the life of the activity. Companies are required to provide background air quality monitoring data and in certain instances, undertake air quality modeling to demonstrate that the air quality objectives are being maintained.
CSG operators must ensure that the release of dust, light, odour or any other airborne contaminants resulting from CSG activities must not cause an environmental nuisance to any sensitive receptor. Furthermore, environmental authorities for CSG activities include a suite of monitoring requirements for point source contaminant releases to air in order to demonstrate that companies are complying with their requirements.
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Last updated 14 February 2012