Construction impacts

Dust

Overview

Dust is a product of construction, caused by a variety of works. Dust makes surfaces dirty, including cars and homes. It can occur in the surrounds of the project when wind blows across stockpiles, or during excavation works, jackhammering or piling. Dry, windy conditions are a major cause of dust, and we aim to schedule earthworks on low wind days.

Mitigation measures

On site, there are multiple dust management strategies in place to minimise dust impacts. These include:

daily checks to make sure implemented dust controls are working
watering and/or stabilising exposed areas and haul roads
covering truck loads
containing stockpiles with fabric and eco-friendly soil binding agents
reducing vehicle speeds on unsealed surfaces and using street sweepers on local roads.

EPR’s: Air Quality

We’re monitoring air quality in real time at multiple locations along the freeway. These locations are reviewed and approved by an independent auditor, and how we manage dust is endorsed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). If dust levels above acceptable standards are triggered, we’ll review levels and implement additional controls as required.

We use smart sensors such as SiteHive and Airmet systems to monitor air quality. These sensors will be triggered if it detects the dust particle concentration is greater than acceptable levels. Dust particles caused by construction works are generally less than 10 microns (0.0001mm) in size. If particles exceed this size, we’ll implement additional controls to manage this and ensure air quality continues to meet required standards and protect our community and workforce.

We also conduct daily and weekly inspections to monitor air quality across the project area.

Understanding particulate matter

National ambient air quality standards

Under the National Environment Protection Measure for Ambient Air Quality, Australian governments have set a national ambient air quality standards for particulate matter.

PM₁₀

50 µg/m3 in outdoor air averaged over a 24-hour period
25 µg/m3 in outdoor air averaged over a year

PM_2.5

25 µg/m3 in outdoor air averaged over a 24-hour period
8 µg/m3 in outdoor air averaged over a year.

Covered truck

Dust FAQ's

Dust is caused by variety of construction activities, including:

earthworks
jack hammering
excavation
piling
hammering.

Dust is more common on dry, windy days, so we plan works around the weather forecast to limit dust impacts on the community.

Dirt stockpiles are large piles of soil that have been excavated from the ground. We keep them in large stockpiles so the dirt is easier to manage, allowing us to apply eco-friendly soil binding agents, water and fabric to reduce the impacts of dust on the community.

Eventually, the stockpiles are transported from site in covered trucks

The dust created on-site is not harmful or toxic. We adhere to strict air quality standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and outlined in our Environmental Performance Requirements (DOCX, 8.3 MB).

Air quality is monitored daily, and any exceedances of Particulate Matter (PM2.5 and PM10) caused by our projects are responded to immediately.

We use the following processes to monitor dust levels across the project:

Smart sensors such as SiteHive and Airmet systems to monitor air quality. These sensors will be triggered if it detects the dust particle concentration is greater than acceptable levels.
Daily and weekly inspections to monitor air quality across the project area.
Air quality on our project is assessed by an independent auditor (PDF, 7.8 MB).

Noise

Overview

To keep traffic moving on freeways and arterial roads, and for the safety of our workers, we regularly need to carry out works at night. Construction work creates noise, particularly during piling and jack-hammering rock. We aim to undertake daytime works where possible but understand that noise created from nightworks can be disruptive and impactful to local residents.

You may also notice some vibration when we're working nearby, especially when excavating, piling or laying asphalt. There are strict requirements in place to minimise disruption and avoid damage to buildings.

Mitigation measures

On site, there are multiple noise management strategies in place to minimise noise and vibration impacts. These include:

temporary and permanent noise walls
noise blankets
white noise machines
changing construction methods to minimise noise, such as using solar-powered lights instead of diesel generators
inspecting nearby properties and buildings before and after construction
monitoring ground movement and vibration levels at all times
informing residents before starting nearby works likely to cause vibration.

EPR’s: Noise

We work within our (Environmental Performance Requirements (EPRs), which outline strict decibel readings that the project must be under. Prior to starting work at night, we must obtain approval from an Independent Environmental Auditor. As part of this process, we must demonstrate the need for the night works, produce modelling that predicts the noise impacts associated with the works, outline how we will manage the works on site and notify our local residents.

We manage impacts for nearby residents and businesses with a range of measures such as adjusting the time of planned works, offering temporary relocation, or changing construction methods to reduce noise. During construction, on-site noise monitors are used to check noise levels remain within predicted modelled levels. The project's environmental specialists will also carry out overnight monitoring near properties during construction. If the monitoring shows noise levels above the predicted levels, we will make adjustments on site to address this.

We are also installing 11km of new and upgraded noise walls on the Eastern Freeway as part of the project, with 63dba protection during the day and 58dba protection at night. This means that noise will not exceed these limits in local streets around the North East Link project when it is completed.

Understanding decibel readings

Decibel_Noise_graphic

Decibel Noise Scale

Pain threshold

140dBA Fireworks
130dBA Jet engine at takeoff
120dBA Police siren

Extremely loud

110dBA Ambulance siren
100dBA Helicopter
90dBA Hair dryer

Very loud

80dBA Truck

Loud

70dBA Car

Moderate

60dBA Conversation

Faint

50dBA Moderate rainfall
40dBA Refrigerator
30dBA Whisper
20dBA Rustling leaves
10dBA Breathing

Noise FAQ's

Noise is created by a variety of construction activities, including:

piling
Jack hammering
rock breaking
moving heavy machinery.

We offer temporary relocation if there are nightworks planned that will impact your ability to sleep. We will be in touch with you ahead of time if you’re going to be affected, so that you’re able to consider the offer of temporary relocation and plan accordingly.

Please call 1800 105 105 or email contact@bigbuild.vic.gov.au if you feel you might be eligible for relocation or respite options.

Works are completed at night, where certain activities aren’t feasible during day times hours. This might be due to a variety of reasons, including:

heavily disruptive works, including closures of the freeway
critical works that require 24/7 operation.

We do this to minimise impact on commuters and keep the project on schedule. Nightworks allow us to close lanes, and sometimes the entire freeway, without heavily impacting traffic.

We aim to complete works during the day where possible, but some major works need to be at night, to avoid significant disruptions.

We understand that noise created from nightworks can be disruptive and impactful, so we try to do as much during the day as we can and will avoid working at night where feasible.

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Dust

Understanding particulate matter

National ambient air quality standards

PM₁₀

PM_2.5

Dust FAQ's

Noise

Understanding decibel readings

Noise FAQ's

Links

Internal Reports

Independent Auditor Reports

Fact Sheets