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Objective

Recommendation

Key issues

What has been achieved 1998-2003

Tasmania Together

Related Issue Reports

Objective

To improve the acoustic environment experienced by Tasmanians.

Recommendation

It is recommended that:

• the Environment Protection Policy (Noise) considers the impact of noise on health, particularly for sensitive populations, as outlined in the draft enHealth document on The Non-Auditory Health Aspects of Noise (enHealth Council, unpublished draft 2002);
   
• the Environment Protection Policy (Noise) for Tasmania be finalised;
   
• a program of monitoring the acoustic environment is established to support better identification of progress towards the acoustic environmental quality objectives defined in the Draft Environment Protection Policy (Noise);
   
• monitoring and recording systems are updated to permit greater sharing of noise data among responsible agencies; and
   
• a single database for noise monitoring data, currently held by the Environment Division, is developed and existing data are entered.
   

Key issues

The noise environment is a significant environmental quality issue for Tasmania: as many as half of the 4,000 public complaints received each year in Tasmania, that relate to harm to the environment, are in response to a noise problem (DPIWE 2003). The quality of the acoustic environment may affect work, leisure and sleep. Prolonged or excessive noise may have negative health effects. Population groups most exposed to noise, and those most sensitive to its impacts, may face particular risks. These groups include infants, the young, shift workers, the elderly, the blind, and those suffering hearing impairment, sleep disorders and other physical or mental health conditions.

Some of the key points from the Acoustic Environment Issue Report include the following.

• The main impediments to a satisfactory acoustic environment in Tasmania identified in the Draft Environmental Protection Policy on Noise are excessive noise from (in order of significance): domestic dogs; other domestic sources (parties, workshops, heat pumps, etc); secondary industry; and motor vehicles/traffic (DPIWE 2003).
   
• Recent research has established that the link between noise and human health may be even more certain than previously recognised. The draft report by the enHealth Council on the Non-Auditory Health Effects of Noise notes that there is 'sufficient evidence' linking noise with sleep disturbance, annoyance, speech and communication interference, and hearing impairment (enHealth Council, unpublished draft 2002).
   
• Noise surveys to assess and measure the acoustic environment at suburban or regional scales are generally not undertaken in Tasmania. Such noise mapping is important when zoning and designing future residential and road development. It is also useful for environmental reporting in providing broad measures of population exposure to noise.
   
• Anecdotal information suggests that modified engine exhaust systems are responsible for a considerable proportion of excessive noise from light vehicles, but poorly maintained exhaust systems may be more significant in respect of heavy vehicles. In addition to addressing these issues, tighter noise emission standards for new vehicles, restrictions on heavy vehicle engine brakes and improved road design and traffic management would all contribute to reducing transport-related noise.
   

What has been achieved 1998-2003

• The Tasmanian Government is currently developing an Environment Protection Policy on noise in response to the need to protect the acoustic environment. The policy will further the objectives of the Resource Management and Planning System, in particular the objectives of the Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act 1994.
   
• The Draft Policy is subject to review by the Environment Protection Policy Review Panel. It includes noise emission standards for industry, transport and neighbourhood sources. It also sets standards for noise sensitive developments such as residences, schools and hospitals.
   
• Road transport is the most widespread source of noise pollution in Tasmania, as elsewhere. Vehicle noise from a car travelling at moderate to high speeds on dry roads will increase with speed at between 6 and 12 dB(A) per doubling of speed. The reduction of vehicle speed limits in residential streets to 50 km/h may contribute to improving the acoustic environment.
   

Tasmania Together

Relevant Tasmania Together goals and standards for 'Settlements' are listed in the linked file. The Tasmania Together Progress Board reported on progress toward targets for benchmarks set (Tasmania Together Progress Board 2003). Indicators, targets and baseline data are available in the latest Progress Report June 2003. Further information, including progress report updates, is available from Tasmania Together.

Related Issue Reports