Noise management
Port Otago noise management plan
New Zealand ports are subject to national, regional and local legislation and standards, when it comes to noise. These standards are in place to ensure the long-term compatibility of ports and their neighbours. They recognise the need for ports to operate effectively, while also providing guidelines so adjacent residentia communities can co-exist.
The Port Otago noise management plan sets out the company’s long-term commitment to assessing and managing noise from port-related activities at the Port Chalmers site. It is a living document, updated when appropriate.
Noise model
The Port Otago noise model is prepared and updated annually by Marshall Day Acoustics and concentrates on the Port Chalmers site. It incorporates the Dunedin City Council’s Second Generation Plan (2GP) port noise control boundary and draws on noise monitoring data from the previous year.
The computer-based model represents the “average” noise emissions from port operations over the busiest five-day period each year (i.e. the year’s peak week) with a 10 decibel penalty for noise that occurs during the night-time period. The noise model provides detailed noise maps of Port Otago and its nearby neighbours.
Noise mitigation packages
Port Otago works with its immediate neighbours to ensure appropriate acoustic treatments are made available to affected properties. There are three noise zones – red, blue and yellow – with the red zone containing the most adversely affected properties.
Port Otago’s contribution to noise mitigation within the noise zones is detailed in the Port noise mitigation plan.
| Zone | Noise Levels | Subsidy and Options |
|---|---|---|
| Red | > 65 dB Ldn 5-day |
- Port Otago to provide acoustic treatment up to the value of the “Specific Acoustic Payment1”. - Port Otago offer to purchase the property for “Property Value1” plus additional payments |
| Blue | 60-65 dB Ldn 5-day |
- Subsidy of up to a maximum of $33,027 (subject to approval by Port Noise Liaison Committee). - Committee has the discretion to consider application for 100% the actual cost up to the maximum figure. - Port will consider purchase of property on the basis of a “willing buyer/willing seller” and without any additional payments3 |
| Yellow | 55-60 dB Ldn 5-day |
- Subsidy of up to a maximum of 50% of treatment cost to $33,027 2 (subject to approval by Port Noise Liaison Committee). - Property owner contributes 50%. |
1 Refer to Noise Mitigation Plan
2 This value is inflation adjusted each quarter. Updated December 2022.
3For Noise levels 61 - 65 dB Ldn 5-day
If you think port noise is affecting your property, please contact us