Acoustic Consultants

When might you need an acoustic consultant?

• A proposed development could generate noise that may affect neighbouring residential or other sensitive uses.
• Residential apartments, schools, childcare centres or other noise-sensitive uses are proposed near busy roads, rail corridors, industrial areas or other significant noise sources.
• A hospitality, entertainment or late-trading venue may generate amplified music, patron or operational noise.
• Mechanical plant such as air-conditioning, refrigeration, exhaust systems, pumps or other equipment may affect neighbouring properties.
• An industrial or commercial development is expected to generate significant operational noise.
• A gym or similar use could generate airborne noise, impact noise or vibration.
• Significant demolition, excavation or construction work may create noise or vibration impacts.
• A council or consent authority requires an acoustic assessment with the development application.
• Development consent conditions require acoustic measures to be verified after construction.

What can an acoustic assessment cover?

• Existing background and ambient noise levels.
• Noise generated by the proposed development.
• Noise entering the development from surrounding roads, railways, industry, entertainment venues or other sources.
• Mechanical plant and equipment noise.
• Patron, music or entertainment noise.
• Construction noise.
• Ground-borne or structure-borne noise.
• Vibration impacts.
• The location of nearby noise-sensitive receivers.
• Predicted noise levels under proposed operating conditions.
• Building orientation and internal layout.
• Façade, glazing, door and ventilation requirements.
• Acoustic barriers, enclosures or equipment treatments.
• Operating hours or other management controls.
• Measures required to demonstrate compliance with applicable planning conditions or noise criteria.

Who typically prepares an acoustic report?

• For example, City of Sydney’s current development application guidance states that acoustic reports for relevant developments should be prepared by a suitably qualified acoustical engineer.
• For construction noise and vibration matters, City of Sydney also refers to suitably qualified professionals such as professional acoustic consultants.
• Always check the requirements that apply to your particular development before appointing a consultant.

What to consider when choosing an acoustic consultant

• Whether the consultant regularly works with your type of development.
• Whether the relevant council or consent authority specifies particular qualifications.
• Which noise or vibration sources need to be assessed.
• Whether site measurements or longer-term noise monitoring are required.
• Whether predictive noise modelling is needed.
• Which planning policies, standards or assessment criteria apply to the project.
• Whether architectural or mechanical-services documentation needs to be reviewed.
• How recommended acoustic treatments will be documented for the architect, engineer, builder or other consultants.
• Whether the consultant can review revised plans if the design changes.
• Whether post-construction testing, commissioning or verification may be required.
• Whether construction noise and vibration management requires a separate assessment or management plan.

Related terms and services

• Acoustic consultant
• Acoustic engineer
• Acoustic report
• Acoustic assessment
• Noise assessment
• Noise impact assessment
• Environmental noise assessment
• Noise impact statement
• Operational noise assessment
• Traffic noise assessment
• Rail noise assessment
• Mechanical plant noise assessment
• Entertainment noise assessment
• Construction noise assessment
• Construction noise and vibration management plan
• Vibration assessment
• Acoustic compliance testing
• Acoustic verification report

Frequently asked questions

What does an acoustic consultant do?

An acoustic consultant assesses noise and, where relevant, vibration.

For development projects, this may involve measuring existing noise, predicting future noise, assessing a building or proposed activity against relevant criteria and recommending design or management measures to control acoustic impacts.

Depending on the project, the consultant may work with architects, engineers, planners, builders, developers and consent authorities throughout design, approval and construction.

What is an acoustic report?

An acoustic report documents an assessment of noise or vibration relevant to a proposed or existing development.

It may consider noise produced by the development, noise affecting the development from external sources, or both.

The report will generally identify the assessment criteria used, describe relevant noise sources and receivers, set out measurements or modelling where required and recommend measures to manage identified impacts.

Do I need an acoustic report for a development application?

Not always.

Whether one is required depends on the proposed development, its location and the requirements of the relevant consent authority.

Acoustic reports are commonly requested where there is a meaningful risk of noise affecting neighbours or where a noise-sensitive development could be exposed to significant existing noise.

City of Sydney, for example, identifies a wide range of circumstances where an acoustic report may be required.

Always check the requirements applying to the specific development.

What is the difference between an acoustic consultant and an acoustic engineer?

The terms overlap, but they should not automatically be assumed to mean exactly the same thing.

“Acoustic consultant” is a broad description for a professional who provides specialist advice on acoustics, noise or vibration. “Acoustic engineer” generally indicates an engineering-based role or background.

What matters for a development application is whether the person preparing the report satisfies any qualification or competency requirements imposed by the relevant authority.

For example, City of Sydney specifically refers to suitably qualified acoustical engineers for acoustic reports associated with particular development applications.

Does an acoustic assessment always require noise monitoring?

No.

Whether monitoring is required depends on what is being assessed.

Some projects require measurement of existing background or environmental noise over a defined period. Others may rely partly on design information, manufacturer data, modelling, applicable standards or previously established noise levels.

The consultant should determine the appropriate methodology for the particular project and applicable assessment criteria.

Can an acoustic report recommend glazing and building treatments?

Yes, where relevant to the assessment.

For developments affected by external noise, recommendations can involve façade construction, windows, doors, ventilation, building orientation and internal layout.

NSW Planning’s guidance for development near rail corridors and busy roads specifically identifies building orientation, room layout, windows, doors, ventilation and façade materials as potential elements of acoustic design.

What about noise from mechanical plant?

Mechanical equipment can be an important source of operational noise.

An acoustic assessment may consider equipment such as air-conditioning, refrigeration, exhaust systems, pumps or other building services and assess the potential effect on nearby sensitive receivers.

Depending on the project, recommendations may include equipment selection, location, enclosures, barriers, silencers, vibration isolation or operational controls.

What rules apply to industrial noise in NSW?

The NSW Environment Protection Authority’s Noise Policy for Industry provides a framework for assessing and managing noise from industrial developments.

It sets assessment noise levels, consistent assessment methods and approaches for managing industrial noise.

The policy applies directly to particular industrial developments and regulatory circumstances and may also be used by councils in planning and regulatory functions. It should not be assumed to apply to every type of noise-generating development.

What if my development is next to a busy road or railway?

Development near major roads and rail corridors can require specific consideration of noise and vibration.

NSW Planning’s Development Near Rail Corridors and Busy Roads guidance applies to development under relevant provisions of the Transport and Infrastructure SEPP and can also provide useful guidance for other developments affected by road or rail infrastructure.

It includes consideration of noise and vibration impacts on sensitive uses such as residential development, schools and childcare centres.

Can an acoustic consultant be involved after development approval?

Yes.

Depending on the development consent, an acoustic consultant may be required during detailed design, construction or before occupation.

This can include reviewing design changes, preparing construction noise or vibration management documentation, verifying that specified acoustic measures have been installed or undertaking post-construction testing.

City of Sydney’s environmental noise technical requirements provide examples of consent conditions involving approved acoustic reports, compliance with acoustic measures and later verification.