Industrial noise

Find out how the EPA safeguards human health and the environment by setting noise limits for industrial premises and construction projects.

By using research, the most effective technologies and techniques, and its powers under NSW legislation, the EPA

• provides a consistent, transparent framework and process for setting noise limits in environment protection licences
• guides industry on best practice measures to prevent and minimise noise
• encourages and rewards innovative strategies to reduce noise pollution

The EPA manages industrial noise in NSW through

•  the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997, its regulations and Environment Protection Licences
• the Noise Policy for Industry (2017), which sets assessment noise levels, provides methods to measure and reduce noise levels, and is the recommended guideline for assessing noise from new developments and some existing developments
• the NSW Industrial Noise Policy, which was introduced in 2000 but is still used when managing some existing developments and premises
• learn about when the NSW Industrial Noise Policy (2000) and the Noise Policy for Industry (2017) apply in the EPA’s Implementation and transitional arrangements.
• the Interim construction guideline, which advises on work practices to better manage construction noise, including from industrial developments.
• Assessing vibration which presents preferred and maximum vibration values that should not be exceeded, and recommends effective measurement and evaluation techniques, including for industrial premises.

Find out more about the EPA’s powers to enforce noise controls.