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The draft Environment Protection (Commercial and Industrial Noise Policy) Policy 2022 or Commercial and Industrial Noise Policy will protect human health from the impacts of commercial and industrial noise by providing a legal framework for the assessment of a wide range of commercial and industrial noise issues.

It is proposed the Commercial and Industrial Noise Policy replaces the existing Environment Protection (Noise) Policy 2007.

The existing policy has been in place for 15 years,and during this time various operation improvements have been identified along with the introduction of related legislation including both the Local Nuisance and Litter Control Act 2016  and the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016.

Public feedback received on a discussion paper that was released in 2020 contributed to the development of the new draft policy.

The development of the new policy is part of a statutory process required under the Environment Protection Act 1993.

For a detailed explanation on the purpose and effect of the draft policy please review the Environment Protection (Commercial and Industrial Noise) Policy 2022 explanatory report.

Consultation will be open for two months and will close on 23 November 2022. 

Register for an information session

There will be virtual public information sessions on 6 and 18 October and an in-person session at the EPA on 13 October. To register your attendance for one of the information sessions please email and include 'Noise policy consultation 2022' in the subject header. 

Please include the details of the session you would like to attend in your email.

Virtural info session 1
10.30 am − 12 pm
Thursday, 6 October 2022

Virtural info session 2
2 − 3 pm 
Tuesday, 18 October 2022 

In-person info session
Thursday 13 October 2022
2 − 3.30 pm 
Level 2, 211 Victoria Square
Adelaide SA 5000

Submissions

Written submissions can be made via an online survey (preferred) or submitted directly to the EPA. The public consultation will close at 5 pm, 23 November 2022.

Online survey

Send your submission to:

• email
• post to: GPO Box 2607 Adelaide SA 5001 (attention: Sarah Seery)

Public consultation will close 5 pm, 23 November 2022.

Documents for review

• Draft Environment Protection (Commercial and Industrial) Noise Policy 2022
• Draft Indicative noise level guidelines for the Environment Protection (Commercial and Industrial Noise) Policy 2022
• Explanatory report

Related documents

• Consultation summary report
• Discussion paper 2020

Further information

For further information on the draft policy, please contact Sarah Seery on 8204 2428 or email. 

FAQs

What is changing?

The existing Environment Protection (Noise) Policy 2007 has been in place for 15 years. During this time the need for various improvements to the policy’s operation has been identified by both the EPA and external stakeholders. This, along with the commencement of related legislation including both the Local Nuisance and Litter Control Act 2016 (LNLC Act) and the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016, prompted the need to review the policy.

It is proposed the existing policy is revoked and replaced with the draft Environment Protection (Commercial and Industrial) Noise Policy 2022. The title change is a result of the proposed removal of Part 6 (to avoid duplication) from the existing policy, which is now part of the LNLC Act. 

The existing policy is intrinsically linked to South Australian planning legislation as the setting of noise goals via Indicative Noise Levels are based on planning zoning. The  draft Commercial and Industrial Noise Policy will link the policy to the modern South Australian Planning and Design Code.

Other changes include updating references to standards and guidelines along with the introduction of a new noise character (intermittent) to the policy.

For a detailed explanation of the proposed changes, please view the explanatory report.

Who will be impacted by the changes?

It is not expected that anyone will be significantly affected by the proposed changes. The EPA encourages your feedback on the draft Commercial and Industrial Noise Policy 2022 and participate in our information sessions.

Who will be using the new draft Commercial and Industrial Noise Policy?

The primary uses of this policy will be state government agencies, such as the EPA and Department of Energy and Mining, local councils and acoustic consultants.

When will the Guidelines for the use of the Environment Protection (Commercial and Industrial Noise) Policy 2022 be published?

The current Guidelines for the use of the Environmental Protection (Noise) Policy 2007 will be updated to reflect the new changes in the proposed iteration of the policy.

Will the changes impact indicative noise levels?

No, there are no changes proposed to the indicative noise levels referenced in Tables 1 and 2 of the policy.

However, as the calculation of Indicative Noise Levels are based on planning zones, the introduction of the Planning and Design Code in some cases may affect applicable noise levels applied to certain properties. It must be emphasised that the Noise Policy includes clauses that must have regard to such changes to ensure no property is unfairly affected.

How are indicative noise levels set?

Indicative noise levels are based on guidance produced by the World Health Organization for community noise exposure.

Will the changes result in further penalties?

It is proposed ‘intermittent’ is introduced as a new noise characteristic under the policy that attracts a penalty. Noise intermittency can increase the nuisance caused by excessive noise when compared to stead or continuous noise.

With the proposed removal of Part 6 form the existing policy, how is domestic noise regulated in South Australia?

Domestic noise in South Australia is regulated by both local government under the LNLC Act and by South Australia Police.

Is motor vehicle noise going to be regulated under the new draft policy?

Currently, the EPA only regulates noise from motor vehicles if the vehicle is operating within, or is entering or leaving a business premises. Noise from vehicles operating on domestic premises or on public roads is not regulated by the EPA. This is not proposed to change under the new draft policy.

Individual noisy vehicles may be regulated by South Australia Police and noise from waste collection services are specifically managed by local government under the Local Nuisance and Litter Control Act 2016.