Noise Assessments – Edwin Land Parkway and Ellerton Drive

About the noise assessments

Noise assessments of road projects are undertaken prior to construction (noise predictions) as well as within one year of road opening (actual noise) and for a future design year, usually 10 years after road opening.

Transport for NSW’s Noise Model Validation Guideline (NMVG) contains the procedures for assessing post-construction operational road traffic noise levels. Noise measuring is applied by conducting monitoring at representative locations along the project, together with traffic counting to develop a post-construction noise model. The results of this model are then compared to the criteria set in the NSW road noise policies that applied at the time the project was approved.

The NSW road noise policies are used to assess and manage potential noise impacts from new and redeveloped road projects. It provides non-mandatory criteria for residential and ‘other sensitive’ land uses. These criteria were developed to provide a balance between transport efficiency and amenity to adjacent properties. Recommendations for noise mitigation measures are based on a reasonable and feasible approach.

Exceedances of up to 2 dBA of the noise criteria are generally not noticeable and acceptable. Noise mitigation is considered for properties with exceedances of more than 2 dBA from the NSW Road Noise criteria.

Edwin Land Parkway (ELP)

The Edwin Land Parkway (ELP) Stage 2 project involved the construction of the new road between Stringybark Dr and Cooma St. No road upgrades were undertaken to the existing section of the ELP between Tompsitt Dr and Stringybark Dr, however this section of road was included in noise assessment after feedback from the community.

Previous noise assessments in 2009 (before new road section opened) and 2013 (after new road section opened) concluded that noise levels from the ELP at adjacent properties were within the noise limits.

Following concerns raised by the Jerrabomberra community, a check of noise levels from ELP was completed in 2019 and for the year 2022, which is 10 years post construction of the new section of ELP. An assessment was completed for the current speed limit as well as another for 80km/h should Transport for NSW want to increase the speed limit.

The Environmental Criteria for Road Traffic Noise (ECTRN) was the noise policy applicable to the project.

Table 1 ECTRN Assessment Criteria: Sub-Arterial Road

Properties found to be experiencing noise levels above the RNP criteria are located to the east of Stringybark Dr where the lower/more stringent “new road” criteria applied and were mainly for rooms on the upper floor of two-storey homes.

Ellerton Drive

The Ellerton Drive Extension (EDE) project involved the extension of Ellerton Drive between Mowatt St and Cooma St. A noise assessment was completed in 2017 which predicted the expected noise levels at properties along the road corridor before the road opens to traffic and made recommendations on the road pavement, noise barrier heights and locations to be built as part of the project, as well as which properties required further treatment.

An assessment was recently completed to evaluate the performance and effectiveness of the constructed noise mitigation by comparing post-construction road traffic noise levels with the original (2017) predicted/forecasted noise levels. The noise mitigation measures included as part of the project are the use of quieter road pavement, noise barriers at some locations along the project as well as treatments at some homes.

Assessment criteria from the NSW Road Noise Policy (RNP) are outlined in Table 2.

Table 2 RNP Assessment Criteria: Sub-Arterial Road

The post construction noise assessment work concluded that the volume of traffic using Ellerton Dr is significantly higher than forecast in the 2017 noise model. This has led to higher noise levels and a larger number of homes that require treatment.

What is being done?

Consultants RCA Australia are conducting the noise assessment and will prepare a report that will consider effectiveness of current noise walls, possible reduction of speed limit, addition of noise walls along bridge and approaches, use of 8m high noise walls for the entire length.

They will also provide advice comparing different noise wall materials, heights and lengths, and whether blocking lines of sight and having noise walls at offset angles improves effectiveness.

Noise monitoring began in September however the data accuracy was impacted by weather conditions (high winds). The data collection was rescheduled to February 2025 to ensure results were not impacted by forecast high winds or reduced vehicle traffic during holidays. The initial set of results from February 2025 appear to be valid. A further round of monitoring has begun.

What does this mean?

Residents along both road corridors will receive a letter explaining whether their property needs noise mitigation treatment.

More information

You can contact Eli Ramsland on (02) 6285 6264 or email eli.ramsland@qprc.nsw.gov.au