Policy
In September 2014 the NSW Department of Planning and Environment placed draft guidelines for NSW residential development on exhibition. These provisions include seals preventing noise transfer through gaps as well as double or acoustic glazing, acoustic louvres or enclosed balconies (wintergardens).
Properties located near major roads, rail lines and beneath flight paths can be subject to noise and poor air quality. Similarly, hostile and noisy environments such as industrial areas, substations or sports stadiums can have impacts on residential amenity. Careful design solutions can help to improve quality of life in affected apartments by minimising potential noise and pollution impacts.
This section addresses design responses on sites that are affected by significant noise and pollution sources. Section 4S Acoustic Privacy deals with more typical residential developments that do not face these challenges
4T-1 The siting and layout of buildings minimise the impacts of external noise and pollution
Acceptable solutions
- A number of the following design solutions are used:
- residential uses are located perpendicular to the noise sources and where possible buffered by other uses
- non-residential buildings are positioned parallel to the noise source to provide a continuous building shielding residential uses and communal open spaces
- non-residential uses are located at lower levels vertically separating the residential component from the noise source
- where solar access is in the opposite direction to the noise or pollution source, habitable rooms are located away from these and storage areas, circulation areas, non-habitable rooms and kitchens provide a buffer to the noise or pollution source
- where solar access is in the same direction as the noise or pollution source, apartments are dual aspect with shallow building depths
- landscape design reduces the perception of noise and acts as a filter for air pollution generated by traffic and industry
4T-2 Noise transmission is mitigated by appropriate noise shielding or attenuation techniques for the building design, construction and choice of materials
Acceptable solutions
- A number of the following design solutions are used:
- number and size of openings facing noise sources are limited
- seals prevent noise transfer through gaps
- double or acoustic glazing, acoustic louvres or enclosed balconies (wintergardens)
- materials with mass and/or sound insulation or absorption properties e.g. balcony balustrades, external screens and soffits