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