Noise impact report

A noise impact assessment report is submitted to Council to demonstrate that noise emissions comply with Brisbane City Plan 2014. Noise emissions can be either an external noise source impacting on the proposed development or noise from the proposed development impacting on nearby sites.

The Noise impact assessment planning scheme policy provides information and guidance for preparing a noise impact assessment report (NIA report). Council's Guide to the noise impact assessment planning scheme policy may also be of assistance. All applications for a material change of use or reconfiguring a lot where noise impacts are particularly significant, or for complex development proposals, will require a detailed NIA report. The report must include recommendations for managing noise impacts and how the recommendations can be implemented.

Proposed developments located in any of the following overlays, or as identified in a neighbourhood plan, may also require a NIA report:

View the overlay codes in the City Plan.

To assist applicants and consultants, Council has prepared a technical expert guide outlining the lodgement requirements for a noise impact assessment report.

A detailed noise impact assessment report incorporating the guidance and advice in the Noise impact assessment planning scheme policy with recommendations to manage noise impacts will aid in a quick assessment process.

Dwellings within the Transport noise corridor overlay

The Transport noise corridor overlay is used to designate Brisbane's arterial roads, motorways and primary freight routes under the Building Act 1975.  

Dwellings located within a transport noise corridor need to be built and designed in accordance with Queensland Development Code MP 4.4 - Buildings in a Transport Noise Corridor (QDC MP 4.4). 

There are five noise categories from zero to four, from the least exposed to transport noise to the most exposed. QDC MP 4.4 allows building requirements to be achieved by either:

  • applying the category from the Transport noise corridor overlay
  • conducting a site specific noise assessment.

A site specific noise assessment is often beneficial in locations where:

  • the site is shielded by transport noise barriers. Barriers may be either existing or future
  • shielding is provided by either existing or approved future buildings
  • site topography provides shielding from transport noise.

In these cases, the noise exposure of the building is likely to be reduced and therefore a lower noise category may apply.

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