Rally Australia Releases Report On Noise Impact

An independent expert report into the impact of noise generated during Repco Rally Australia on 3-6 September has recommended a list of measures to control it.

The measures include monitoring rally cars to maintain a maximum noise output of 96 decibels, as required by the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS), limiting pre-event set-up, post-event pack-up and waste collection to daytime hours, placing silencers or acoustic barriers on equipment such as generators and compressors and switching off plant when not in use.

As well as physical measures to mitigate noise, the report also urged a communications program for residents. This would include providing advice on the timing and duration of event activities, how to deal with noise and a complaints procedure.

The report, compiled by traffic and acoustical consultants Carter Rytenskild Group (CRG), assessed noise emissions throughout the event period from set-up to post-rally, in accordance with the New South Wales Environment Protection Authority’s Industrial Noise Policy and Environment Criteria for Road Traffic Noise. It looked at noise on the rally stages, at the Kingscliff main service park and at the Kyogle remote service park.

It predicted noise impacts from various sources, including rally cars, public address announcements, waste collection, service park activity and even cheering spectators had the potential to be above the EPA guidelines used – although these did not allow specifically for non-permanent activity such as Rally Australia.

However, the report said that noise inside buildings set back at least 30 metres from the competition route could be kept within the guideline limits if doors and widows were kept shut while the rally cars passed.

Noting that noise is intrinsic to motor sport, the report concluded: “Given that the rally event is for a short time period (three days for the main event) and activities at the different areas of the event (i.e., service areas and spectator areas) will not occur for the entire duration of the event (i.e., 70-minute duration for a rally stage), it is not unreasonable to anticipate residents closing doors and windows to minimise the internal noise impacts with those activities proximate to their dwelling.”

The noise output of rally cars will be measured according to CAMS procedures set out in the event regulations.

Rally Australia Organising Committee Chairman Garry Connelly said the event would be active in finding ways to reduce and manage noise.

“Of all the consultant reports we have been issuing recently, the Noise Impact Report is the only one that presents with any real challenges in managing the issue. Overall we have been extremely pleased with the reports,” he said.

“However, it is reasonable to point out, as this report does, that most noise generated during the rally will be heard for only relatively short periods at any time.

“We can assure residents we will be applying rigorous effort to minimise the impact of noise on them and their environment.”