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Raw Earth Environmental was engaged by Lahey Constructions to undertake noise and vibration monitoring at the Podia Development site in Byron Bay. The works required Raw Earth Environmental to undertake noise and vibration monitoring for the demolition and construction activities to ensure compliance with the site development approval conditions and State legislation.
To begin the process Raw Earth undertook a thorough review of the site development approval conditions, Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP), Construction Noise and Vibration Management Plan (CNVMP), Local Environmental Plan, state guidelines, and relevant Australian Standards to identify monitoring criteria and local constraints.
Through consultation with the client and relevant stakeholders Raw Earth developed a monthly monitoring program to satisfy the development approval conditions, demolition and construction works program and Byron Shire Council. The consultation consisted of on-site meetings to determine noise and vibration sensitive receptor locations, sampling locations, areas of highest impact, equipment to be used including intensity of use and community consultation.
The monitoring program consisted of weekly noise and vibration assessments which were conducted at the beginning of each construction phase. The construction phases consisted of demolition, bulk excavation, sheet piling, dewatering, construction and demobilisation. Throughout the phases noise samples were taken from sensitive receptors that were determined as the closest affected residents and vibration locations closest to neighbouring properties that had the potential to affect structural integrity.
Each noise test was conducted over a 15 minute period at times of highest intensity using a NATA calibrated sound level meter. This was to determine a worst case scenario and also allow for any noise nuisance complaints to be scrutinised against the actual readings and legislative requirements. The noise assessments were also conducted at times of the day with reduced traffic flow to achieve a higher noise reading from the demolition and construction activities.
Vibration monitoring was conducted during daily operational activities throughout the entirety of the project. The vibration monitors were set with alarm levels below the allowable limits and with telemetry to notify the Site Manager of any potential exceedances to allow for mitigation measures to be implemented to prevent any breaches occurring.
All noise and vibration data was then collated into a monthly monitoring program report highlighting areas potential exceedance, control measures, recommendations and changes of process. This allowed Lahey Construction to provide the client with a monthly report identifying their compliance with the development approval conditions and for validation of the CEMP and CNVMP. This also ensured that development also complied with all state and local government requirements.
By utilising Raw Earth Environmental to undertake the noise and vibration monitoring program ensured the site activities were completed in compliance with the development approval conditions, state legislation and local government requirements. This also provided the local residents with the assurance that the development occurred to protect environmental aspects and maintain the amenity of the local area.
Raw Earth Environmental was engaged by Lahey Constructions to undertake asbestos removal monitoring and an in situ soil waste classification and radiological survey at the Podia Development site in Byron Bay. Due to the majority of the sites former buildings containing both friable and bonded asbestos contamination and considering the site’s close proximity to the CBD of Byron Bay, site based asbestos air monitoring and supervision was required to be undertaken throughout the daily hazmat removal works. In addition to this, an in situ soil waste classification and radiological soils survey was required to classify in situ soils prior to bulk earthworks and to assess the presence of contamination as well as whether soils contain natural occurring radioactive material (NORM).
Hazmat air monitoring works were undertaken each day by setting up pumps prior to the beginning of shift before asbestos removal works begun. All air monitoring, asbestos inspections and asbestos clearance certificate works were undertaken in accordance with the SafeWork NSW (2018) How to Safely Remove Asbestos: Code of Practice, the National Occupational Health and Safety Commission (NOHSC) Guidance Note on the Membrane Filter Method for Estimating Airborne Asbestos Fibres 2nd Edition [NOHSC:3003 (2005)], and other regulatory guidance such as Work Health and Safety Act (2011). All asbestos air monitoring analysis was undertaken by NATA accredited laboratories for both asbestos fibre counting and volume measurement (air monitoring).
Asbestos removal works consisted of both bonded and friable asbestos stripping relating to bonded wall, ceiling and cupboard sheets along with the removal of friable asbestos paper backing beneath vinyl flooring within the former accommodation units across site. All friable areas were established with enclosures along with negative air and decontamination units erected to circulate air and provide a 3 stage decontamination process for all asbestos removal staff working in the area. Raw Earth Licenced Asbestos Assessors (LAA) undertook baseline asbestos air monitoring prior to all bonded and friable removal works as well as integrity inspection check and reports of the friable enclosure areas to ensure no friable asbestos would impact the surrounding environment.
Due to Byron Shire Council (BSC) development application requirements for apartment complex constructions requiring on site car parking options, the development of a basement car park for the project was required. As such, a site wide in situ soil waste classification to pre classify soils for offsite landfill was undertaken. In addition to this, a radiological survey of soils for NORM was undertaken, whereby in situ soils across the excavations depths were analysed for gamma radiation via the use of a hand held geiger counter and soil samples were collected from various depths to be analysed for gross alpha and gross beta TCLP extract. Soil classification was undertaken by a Raw Earth operated solid flight drill, whereby eleven boreholes were advanced to 4.0 m in depth across site. Samples were collected from selected depths within each borehole and were analysed for a broad analytical suit, including the radiological soil analysis. In situ soil contamination results were reported by the NATA accredited laboratory as being less than the NSW EPA CT1 and CT2 waste classification guidelines. Gross alpha and gross beta results as well as gamma radiation levels were reported as being within background concentrations for the area, thereby eliminating the risk of construction workers or members of the public to radioactive sands.
Overall, Raw Earth’s involvement in the Podia Development enabled works to progress in a streamlined manner, within budget and ensured all works were done so in accordance with specific environmental guidelines and legislation.
