WBCWRR Project Noise Impact Assessment

An independent Noise Impact Assessment was conducted for the proposed West Burleigh Construction Waste and Resource Recovery Project (WBCWRR Project) to understand how operations might affect nearby homes and businesses. 

The assessment provides a clear picture of expected noise levels and helps ensure the project is designed with appropriate controls to protect the amenity of the surrounding community. 

ShapeHow Was It Assessed? 

The Noise Impact Assessment used multiple methods to build an accurate picture of how the WBCWRR Project may influence the surrounding area. The assessment included: 

  • Noise monitoring at the site and nearby locations, capturing real-world baseline conditions. 

  • Computer modelling to predict noise levels during typical operational scenarios. 

  • Consideration of existing background noise sources, including the M1, nearby industrial activities, and Council’s Reedy Creek landfill. 

What Did It Find? 

The Noise Impact Assessment confirms that: 

  • Noise from the proposed non-putrescible construction waste landfill and resource recovery activities will meet all regulatory limits, ensuring operations remain within acceptable standards for the surrounding community. 

  • No additional noise controls are required for activities carried out between 7:00am and 6:00pm, as predicted noise levels already met the relevant criteria. 

These findings show that the project can operate responsibly while maintaining the amenity of nearby homes and businesses. 

Information Request Response findings 

The information requests from Council and SARA have been carefully reviewed, and the Noise Experts maintain that applying more stringent Acoustic Quality Objectives (AQOs) for development assessment is inappropriate where ambient noise levels already exceed AQOs. 

Even though this approach is not supported, the assessment team modelled the alternate noise limits to demonstrate potential outcomes. The modelling showed: 

  1. Southern receptors (across Pacific Motorway) would remain compliant under alternate limits 

  1. Northern receptors (Dulcie Drive) may exceed alternate limits by up to 6 dB during the final capping stage (Stage 12) - a phase not expected to occur for more than 26 years into the life of the project), yet predicted levels would still remain below current measured ambient noise levels 

The assessment concludes that the exceedance is considered acceptable because:  

  1. existing noise already exceeds the derived alternate limits 

  1. the alternative limits do not reflect real-world ambient conditions that are present today near the existing quarry and M1 

  1. the exceedance would only occur only during the final stage (~26.5 years into the future) 

  1. future improvements in technology and environmental conditions are expected to further reduce noise impacts 

Having regard to the above, noise mitigation measures (quieter equipment, temporary barriers, adjusted activity rates) will be implemented as needed at the relevant operational stage of the WBCWRR Project. 

ShapeWhat This Means for the Community 

The WBCWRR Project will operate within typical noise standards, and the impact on surrounding residential areas will be minimal. 

Further details about Boral’s proposal 

The DA is viewable on Council's PD Online ref. COM/2025/101 here:  

https://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/Planning-building/PD-Online 

 

 

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