Objectives

To implement reasonable and practicable measures to minimise any unreasonable noise and vibration impacts on our neighbours resulting from our activities.

Strategies

Given the large expanse of residential areas which we traverse, noise management is a high priority for QR. We have adopted a multifaceted approach to the management of noise which includes:

• development of noise Code of Practice for Railway Noise Management;
• a monitoring program to determine priority for where the greatest benefit can be achieved from the measures implemented;
• research into developing noise mitigation techniques; and
• assessment, prioritisation and implementation of noise reduction measures.        

Our key strategy has been the development of the Network Noise Management Plan which includes long term noise planning to implement noise reduction measures in a logical and equitable manner.

Other key tasks performed by QR to mitigate noise include:

• Wheel Squeal – The management of known wheel squeal locations including monitoring, management of amelioration and research into alternative amelioration techniques.
• Rollingstock Noise – The development and implementation of emerging technologies to existing and new rollingstock to ensure compliance with noise criteria.
• Infrastructure Noise – The management of noise associated with infrastructure works, such as maintenance and construction activities, is planned and managed to minimise the overall impact on residents.
• Workshops / Depot Noise – Continual review of operating procedures and work practices at workshops and depots occurs to ensure noise associated with these activities is minimised.        

Under the Transport Service Contract with the State Government, $18.6 million has been dedicated to the implementation of noise barriers in high priority areas until June 2006. These high priority areas have been defined in QR’s Network Noise Management Plan (NNMP).

QR has undertaken extensive noise modelling through the urban areas of the State. QR has confidence in the noise model used being sufficiently accurate.  The model's predictions have been verified at many places and were found to be within 2dB(A) of the actual measurements.  In transport noise modelling, this is considered very good.

QR is committed to implementing the following high priority areas by June 2006 with the funding allocated:

1. Beenleigh/Gold Coast Line (Kuraby station to Woodridge station)
2. Cleveland Line (Lindum station to Wynnum North station including the Fisherman;s Island line to the Sandy Camp Road level crossing).
3. Corinda to Yeerongpilly Line - Tennyson Station to Oxley Creek (including Moolabin Yards)        

It is important to note this does not automatically mean the entire area will have noise barriers. It does however mean QR will assess the area in greater detail to determine where individual noise sensitive places are expected to have predicted noise levels in excess of noise criteria nominated in Queensland legislation.

QR designs and constructs noise barriers assuming the progressive introduction of quieter trains in the future. This is in recognition of greater efficiencies and effectiveness of treating a mobile noise source instead of constructing and maintaining fixed infrastructure such as noise barriers. The rate of introduction of quieter trains will be dependent on technological advances, operational requirements and economics.

Prior to any noise barrier being constructed, QR provides opportunities for the affected residents to comment on the proposed noise barriers.