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Noise Management at Pan Pac

Noise Management is one of the prime environmental issues at Pan Pac Forest Products Ltd which operates an integrated sawmill and pulp mill complex at Whirinaki near Napier. Next to the site is Whirinaki Beach, a residential area populated mainly by people who appreciate the attractions of the coastal/rural lifestyle the area offers. The close proximity of these residences is the reason for the high importance of noise issues to Pan Pac. More than half of the contacts with neighbours on environmental issues concern noise. Peter Allan reports on noise management at Pan Pac.

In recent years Pan Pac has undertaken extensive assessments of noise from the site. Noise can be split into the following categories, in approximate order of their impact on the site noise budget:

• Pulp Mill Operations - steady "white" noise, not offensive.
• Chip Mill Operations - daytime operation only.
• Blower Noise - daytime operation only.
• Sawmill/Log Yard - mainly impact noise.
• Boiler Noise - steady noise, but with audible alarms, steam vents, etc.
• Site Vehicles
• Other - maintenance noise, specific incidents.

This can be compared with the sources of noise from complaints by neighbours, in order of frequency.

• Sawmill and Log Yard
• Vehicles - both on site and visiting site.
• Alarms
• Specific Incidents

Clearly the operations with the greatest impact on noise as measured at the site boundaries, are not the subject of most of the complaints. Complaints are generally regarding nuisance noises — for example impact noises rather than steady background noise.

Regulations

Limits for noise from the site were established in 1972, prior to the commencement of operations, in a Specified Departure from the Hastings District Plan. In terms of modern noise analysis, the regulations were simplistic, difficult to achieve and difficult to enforce. Accordingly, Pan Pac entered discussions with neighbours and the Hastings District Council to establish mutually acceptable limits for inclusion in the current Hastings District Plan. Discussions began in 1997 and were substantially completed by June 2001.

Key issues addressed include:

• noise levels at the site boundary vary along its length. The boundary opposite the pulp mill is the noisiest area, but has never been a source of complaint. Conversely, the sawmill area is the source of many complaints, but measured noise levels are considerably lower. It was resolved to divide the site boundary into three zones for the low noise period, each with its own specific limits;
• a Noise Management Plan was put in place and attached as an appendix to submissions to the District Plan. The Noise Management Plan provides a framework for managing noise on site, and provides a process to record changes to site noise. The Plan requires Pan Pac to:
  • operate site equipment to minimise noise emissions;
  • identify and act on noise problems;
  • address noise considerations for new equipment;
  • address noise from site vehicles;
  • measure, record, evaluate and report on noise issues;
  • pursue good communications with neighbours.
• to identify and define when vehicles are part of the site noise budget. Pan Pac is located on a busy main road and it is arguable that passing traffic has a greater impact on neighbours than mill operations. Traffic entering and leaving the site can be considered as part of the site noise budget, and has a disproportionate effect on noise measurements. It is critical to define the position where vehicles are included in site noise assessments; and
• specific measurement positions were agreed upon for assessment of site noise. Similarly measurement procedures were also defined to provide realistic and comparable data. Measurement positions include a site well away from the influence of the mill to record background noise. Whirinaki Beach is an exposed shingle beach and can be the source of noise in excess of the Pan Pac site's contribution to measured noise.

Current situation

The noise specifications in the Hastings District Plan, as agreed by the parties involved, are difficult for Pan Pac to achieve and provide an incentive for continual noise reduction from the site. Programmes for monitoring site noise at the agreed measurement points have been established, and results are routinely discussed with the neighbours.

A contour plan of noise within the site has been established, which identifies areas with the greatest contribution to the site noise budget. At the same time nuisance noises are addressed as quickly as possible. Major capital projects are seen as an opportunity to reduce site noise and noise issues are therefore addressed as part of any project.

Overall Pan Pac is committed to maintaining a good relationship with its neighbours, and is committed to its impact upon this. Noise management is an integral part of Pan Pac's "good neighbours" policy.

 

Contact for Enquiries

Amber Duncalfe
Editor - RM Update
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
PO Box 2526
Wellington
NEW ZEALAND

Tel: +64 4 894 0710
Fax: +64 4 894 0745
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