Noise Management Plan - Golden Plains Wind Farm

GOLDEN PLAINS WIND FARM Noise Management Plan

Prepared by:

DOCUMENT HISTORY AND STATUS

The following table outlines the revisions made to this document Version V00-01 V01-01 V02-01 V03-01

Date of Issue 15 July 2019 30 October 2019 31 October 2019 24 May 2021

Description Draft for coordination Updated draft issue Client comments Updated internal draft issue

Issued By Tom Evans Tom Evans Tom Evans Tom Evans

V04-01

1 July 2021

Updated internal draft Issue

Tom Evans

V05-01

4 October 2021

Updated Issue

Tom Evans

V06-01

11 October 2021

Updated Issue

Tom Evans

Reviewed by Jon Cooper Justin Cheah Justin Cheah Damien van Raaphorst Damien van Raaphorst Damien van Raaphorst Damien van Raaphorst

Approved by Tom Evans Tom Evans Tom Evans Tom Evans Tom Evans Tom Evans Tom Evans

Golden Plains Wind Farm Management Pty Ltd ABN 69 549 774 394 Office 4, 17 Goode Street GISBORNE VIC 3437 AUSTRALIA T

+61 3 5421 9999

E

info@goldenplainswindfarm.com.au

W

www.goldenplainswindfarm.com.au

© 2021 Golden Plains Wind Farm Management Pty Ltd. All rights reserved.

Commercial In Confidence

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

DOCUMENT HISTORY AND STATUS

I

TABLE OF CONTENTS

II

TABLE OF FIGURES

IV

TABLE OF TABLES

IV

NOMENCLATURE

V

1

1

2

3

INTRODUCTION Noise Management Plan

1

Consultation in the preparation of the NMP

2

Author of this NMP

2

Peer Review

2

Access to this NMP

2

Environment Protection Amendment (Wind Turbine Noise) Regulations 2021

2

SITE INFORMATION The Project

3

Noise-Sensitive Locations

3

Land zoning

3

Existing noise environment

3

LEGISLATIVE AND PLANNING REQUIREMENTS

6

Environmental Protection Act 2017

6

The Regulations

6

3.2.1

NZS 6808:2010

6

3.2.2

Involved stakeholders

7

3.2.3

Post-construction noise assessment

7

3.2.4

Noise management plan

7

3.2.5

Annual statement

7

3.2.6

Periodic noise monitoring

7

Planning Permit conditions NZS 6808:2010

8 12

3.4.1

Wind farm noise limits

12

3.4.2

Special Audible Characteristics

12

Noise Protocol

13

3.5.1

Ancillary infrastructure noise limits

13

3.5.2

Special Audible Characteristics

13

IEC 61400-11:2012 4

3

13

APPLICATION NOISE LIMITS

14

Wind farm noise limits

14

Alternative Monitoring Location noise criteria

14

Ancillary infrastructure noise limits

14

Commercial In Confidence

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5

NOISE MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES Independent Test Authority

19

Background noise monitoring

19

Near-field WTG testing

19

Operational wind farm noise monitoring at Noise-Sensitive Locations

20

5.4.1

Measurement equipment and procedures

20

5.4.2

Wind speed and direction

20

5.4.3

WTG data

21

5.4.4

Duration

21

5.4.5

Assessment

21

Operational wind farm noise monitoring at an Alternative Monitoring Location

7

8

22

5.5.1

Measurement equipment and procedures

23

5.5.2

Wind speed and direction data

23

5.5.3

WTG data

23

5.5.4

Duration

23

5.5.5

Assessment

23

Attended on/off wind farm noise measurements

24

Special Audible Characteristics

24

5.7.1

Subjective assessment of Special Audible Characteristics

24

5.7.2

Objective tests of Special Audible Characteristics

25

5.7.3

Application of penalties for Special Audible Characteristics

25

5.7.4

Special Audible Characteristics at Alternative Monitoring Locations

25

Ancillary infrastructure noise monitoring 6

19

NEAR-FIELD COMPLIANCE TEST REPORT

26 27

Test locations

27

Monitoring procedures

27

Assessment procedure

27

6.3.1

Sound power level

27

6.3.2

Tonal audibility

27

Reporting requirements

28

Timing

28

POST-CONSTRUCTION NOISE ASSESSMENT REPORT

29

Test locations

29

Monitoring and assessment procedures

29

Report requirements

29

Timing

30

Staging of the Project

30

NOISE INVESTIGATION REPORTS

31

Complaint conditions

31

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9

Complaint response

31

Complaint investigation, evaluation and response procedures

31

Report requirements

32

Timing

32

NOISE REMEDIATION PLAN

33

Report requirements

33

Timing

33

10

ANNUAL STATEMENTS

34

11

PERIODIC NOISE MONITORING REPORTS

35

12

APPENDICES

36

Appendix A – Consultation in preparation of this NMP

37

Appendix B – Peer review of this NMP

39

Appendix C – WTG and receiver locations

40

Appendix D – Objective assessment procedures for Special Audible Characteristics

45

TABLE OF FIGURES

Figure 2.1 - Site Layout - North – West .............................................................................................................................. 4 Figure 2.2 - Site Layout – Central ....................................................................................................................................... 4 Figure 2.3 - Site Layout - South East .................................................................................................................................. 5

TABLE OF TABLES

Table 3.1 - Summary of Planning Permit conditions .......................................................................................................... 8 Table 3.2 - Ancillary infrastructure noise limits................................................................................................................ 13 Table 4.1 - Ancillary infrastructure noise limits at nearest Noise-Sensitive Locations...................................................... 14 Table 4.2 - Applicable wind farm noise limits .................................................................................................................. 15 Table 5.1 - Wind speed measurement location for each background noise monitoring location .................................... 21 Table 7.1 - Post-construction noise monitoring locations ................................................................................................ 29 Table 12.1 - WTG layout coordinates as WGS UTM Zone 54S ......................................................................................... 40 Table 12.2 - Noise-Sensitive Location coordinates as WGS UTM Zone 54S ..................................................................... 42 Table 12.3 - Tonal audibility and associated penalty as per ISO 1996-2:2017 ................................................................. 45

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NOMENCLATURE Term A-weighting Alternative Monitoring Location Amplitude modulation dB dB(A) EPA Victoria Frequency (Hz) GED

GPFWM Impulsiveness Independent Test Authority ISO 1996-2:2017 ISO/PAS 20065:2016 L90 Leq ΔLA Measured Wind Farm Noise Level NMP Noise-Sensitive Location(s)

NZS 6808:2010 Overall Measured Noise Level Regulations

Definition A spectrum adaption that is applied to measured noise levels to represent human hearing.

A-weighted levels are used as human hearing does not respond equally at all frequencies.

A location, other than a Noise-Sensitive Location, used for the measurement and assessment of wind turbine noise in accordance with the Regulations and in accordance with Section 4.2 of this document.

The modulation, change, of the loudness of wind turbine noise. Wind turbine noise is generally accepted to have a normal level of modulation (blade ‘swish’) but has been known to occasionally exhibit excessive amplitude modulation which may be described as a ‘thumping’ noise and could warrant a special audible characteristic penalty.

Decibel—a unit of measurement used to express sound level. It is based on a logarithmic scale which means a sound that is 3 dB higher has twice as much energy. We typically perceive a 10 dB increase in sound as a doubling of that sound level.

Units of the A-weighted sound level.

Environment Protection Authority Victoria The number of times a vibrating object oscillates (moves back and forth) in one second. Fast movements produce high frequency sound (high pitch/tone), but slow movements mean the frequency (pitch/tone) is low. 1 Hz is equal to 1 cycle per second.

General Environmental Duty. As defined by Section 25(1) of the Environment Protection Act 2017, it requires that any person who is engaging in an activity that may give rise to risks of harm to human health or the environment from pollution or waste must minimise those risks, so far as reasonably practicable.

Golden Plains Wind Farm Management Pty Ltd. Transient sound having a peak level of very short duration, typically less than 100 ms.

Impulsive sounds are subjectively more annoying than steady sounds.

An independent and suitably experienced acoustic consultancy engaged to undertake a noise assessment under this NMP. International Standard 1996:2017 Acoustics – Description, measurement and assessment of environmental noise – Part 2: Determination of sound pressure levels.

ISO/PAS 20065:2016 Acoustics – Objective method for assessing the audibility of tones in noise – Engineering method.

Noise level exceeded for 90% of the measurement time. The L90 level is commonly referred to as the background noise level.

Equivalent Noise Level—Energy averaged noise level over the measurement time.

Tonal audibility—a measure of tonality. Values greater or equal to 0 dB indicate that the tone is detectable to the average human ear.

The noise level determined by correcting the Overall Measured Noise Level at a measurement location by the background noise in accordance with NZS 6808:2010.

Noise Management Plan.

Other than a location that has an agreement with GPWFM in accordance with Condition 15 of the Planning Permit, is as defined by NZS 6808:2010 to include a noise sensitive activity, associated with a habitable space or education space in a building not on the wind farm site. Locations that have an agreement with GPFWM in accordance with Condition 15 of the Planning Permit are not considered Noise-Sensitive Locations for the purposes of this NMP. The Noise-Sensitive Locations are defined in Appendix C. New Zealand Standard 6808:2010 Acoustics – Wind farm noise.

The overall measured noise level at a measurement location without correction for background noise levels.

Environment Protection Amendment (Wind Turbine Noise) Regulations 2021.

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Term Responsible Authority Special Audible Characteristics Tonal audibility Tonality

Definition The Minister for Planning in relation to compliance with Planning Permit conditions. EPA Victoria in relation to ongoing noise compliance with the Regulations.

Defined by NZS 6808:2010 to include tonality, excessive amplitude modulation or impulsivity. Wind farm noise with one or more Special Audible Characteristics is subject to a penalty in accordance with NZS 6808:2010.

For ancillary infrastructure noise, refers to an adjustment as defined by the Noise Protocol.

A measure of audibility, in dB, of a tonal noise. The greater the level of tonal audibility, the more annoying the tone. Different measures of tonal audibility are defined by different standards and guidelines.

A characteristic of a noise where there is a distinctly higher level over a relatively narrow frequency range. Examples include the reversing signal on a truck or the wheel squeal that sometimes occurs when trains move around a curve. A noise exhibiting tonality is subjectively more annoying than a non-tonal noise at the same level.

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1 INTRODUCTION

Golden Plains Wind Farm Management Pty Ltd (GPWFM) are developing the Golden Plains Wind Farm (the Project), which involves the establishment of a wind energy facility (WEF) including wind turbines and associated electrical infrastructure on 16,723 ha to the West, South and South East of Rokewood, a small rural town in the Shire of Golden Plains; approximately 60 km North West of Geelong. The site is located on land that is primarily used for agricultural purposes and has been substantially modified over time due to agricultural operations such as broad acre cropping and livestock grazing. The Project will consist of up to 215 Wind Turbine Generators (WTGs) with a capacity of 5 MW+, a rotor diameter of up to 165 m and a maximum blade tip height of up to 230 m above ground level (AGL).

A Planning Permit for the Project has been issued (PA1700266) and includes a number of Planning Permit conditions relating to environmental noise emissions (Conditions 13 to 32).

Noise Management Plan

Of particular relevance to this report, Condition 25 requires preparation of a Noise Management Plan (NMP):

Noise Management Plan 25.

Before development starts, a Noise Management Plan must be submitted to, approved and endorsed by the responsible authority. The plan must be prepared in consultation with the general public within the vicinity of the project, to the satisfaction of the responsible authority. When endorsed the Noise Management Plan will form part of this permit. The endorsed Noise Management Plan must be placed on the project website for the life of the project.

The Noise Management Plan must specify details of: a) Near‐field Compliance Testing Report, detailing how this testing and report will be prepared in accordance with IEC 61400‐11:2012 Wind turbines – Acoustic noise measurement techniques, and which presents the measured turbine sound power level and tonal audibility, including details of the representative sample of turbines to be tested. b) Post-construction Acoustic Compliance Reports: detailing how these will be prepared in accordance with the Standard and NIRV, to demonstrate whether or not the facility complies with the performance requirements in conditions 13 and 16. c) Noise Investigation Reports: detailing procedures for when complaints are received in accordance with the endorsed Complaints Investigation and Response Plan (condition 94) or when potential noncompliance with the performance requirements in conditions 13 and 16 is otherwise detected. d) Noise Remediation Plans: detailing procedures for prompt actions to achieve compliance when noncompliance with the performance requirements in conditions 13 and 16 is found to have occurred. e) The requirements for each of the documents referred to in condition 25(b), (c) and (d), including what matters they must address, and when they must be submitted.

Resonate Consultants (Resonate) has been engaged by GPWFM to prepare the NMP (this document). This NMP has been prepared to fulfil the requirement of Condition 25 and details the procedure for the assessment of operational noise from the Project and to demonstrate compliance with the Planning Permit conditions. As such, it: • identifies the relevant planning and contractual requirements related to noise • details test requirements and reporting procedures for: - Near-Field Compliance Testing Report - Post-Construction Noise Assessment Reports - Noise Investigation Reports - Noise Remediation Plans.

This NMP shall be implemented throughout operation of the Project.

Modifications to this NMP may only be made with the written consent of the Responsible Authority.

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Consultation in the preparation of the NMP

Condition 25 of the Planning Permit requires that this NMP be prepared in consultation with the general public within the vicinity of the Project. A summary of consultation activities undertaken in the preparation of this NMP is included as Appendix A.

Author of this NMP

Condition 28 of the Planning Permit requires that the NMP be prepared by a suitably qualified and experienced acoustician.

This report has been authored by Tom Evans, a Technical Director at Resonate, with over 14 years of experience in the area of wind farm noise assessment. He holds a Bachelor Degree in Engineering (Mechatronic) from the University of Adelaide, graduating with first class honours, and is a Member of the Australian Acoustical Society (AAS). In addition to conducting background and operational noise assessments for wind farms in Australia and internationally, Tom has also provided expert evidence with respect to wind farm noise at: • Victorian Planning Panels: Golden Plains Wind Farm, Inverleigh Wind Farm and Woolsthorpe Wind Farm • Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT): Naroghid Wind Farm • Palmerston North City Council (New Zealand) hearing into the Te Rere Hau Wind Farm.

Peer Review

Condition 29 of the Planning Permit requires that this NMP be accompanied by a peer review from an environmental auditor appointed under Part IXD of the Environment Protection Act 1970 verifying that the report or plan is suitable, and meets the requirements of this permit. This peer review is included as Appendix B.

Access to this NMP

Once endorsed, this NMP, including the peer review in Appendix B, shall be promptly made available on the Project website.

Environment Protection Amendment (Wind Turbine Noise) Regulations 2021

This NMP fulfils the role of the noise management plan required under 131E of the Environment Protection Amendment (Wind Turbine Noise) Regulations 2021 (the Regulations). Accordingly, this NMP may be amended if required by Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria.

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2 SITE INFORMATION The Project

The Project will consist of up to 215 WTGs. The WTGs will be located on 16,723 ha to the West, South and South East of the township of Rokewood. The Project will also involve ancillary infrastructure, namely an internal terminal station located on Geggies Road, and three internal collector stations.

The location of the WTGs and ancillary infrastructure are shown on Figure 2.1, Figure 2.2 and Figure 2.3and detailed in Appendix C. Note that these locations will be subject to micro-siting.

The Project may be constructed in stages. This NMP considers the potential for this to occur. Stage 1 and Stage 2 WTG locations are shown on Figure 2.1, Figure 2.2 and Figure 2.3.

Noise-Sensitive Locations

Noise-Sensitive Locations surrounding the Project consist of: • dwellings • Rokewood Primary School • a childcare facility adjacent to Rokewood Primary School.

In total, 107 Noise-Sensitive Locations have been identified within the predicted 35 dB contour from Golden Plains Wind Farm. These locations are shown on Figure 2.1, Figure 2.2 and Figure 2.3 and detailed in Appendix C. In addition to the 107 Noise-Sensitive Locations, a number of involved stakeholder dwellings are located within the predicted 35 dB LA90 contour that will have an agreement with GPWFM that meets the requirements of Condition 13 of the Planning Permit. These stakeholder locations are shown on Figure 1 and detailed in Appendix C but are not considered further within this NMP and are not defined as Noise-Sensitive Locations for the purposes of this NMP.

Land zoning

The areas surrounding the Project are generally zoned as Farming Zones under the Golden Plains Planning Scheme.

However, in the area around Rokewood township, dwellings are also located in areas that the Planning Scheme identifies as Low Density Residential Zones (LDRZ) or Township Zones (TZ). These areas are shown on Figure 1.

Condition 18c of the Planning Permit requires that more stringent assessment criteria apply to dwellings located in the LDRZ and TZ, as they are deemed to be in High Amenity areas under New Zealand Standard NZS 6808:2010 Acoustics – Wind farm noise (NZS 6808:2010).

Existing noise environment

An extensive background noise monitoring campaign was undertaken between April and August 2019, with background noise monitoring conducted at 15 noise-sensitive land uses, along with 10 stakeholder dwellings. The results of this background noise monitoring are documented in the Pre-Construction Noise Assessment 1 prepared for the Project, with the background noise monitoring forming the basis for the wind farm noise limits presented in this NMP.

1

TBC following completion of Pre-Construction Noise Assessment

3

Figure 2.1 - Site Layout - North – West

Figure 2.2 - Site Layout – Central

4

Figure 2.3 - Site Layout - South East

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3 LEGISLATIVE AND PLANNING REQUIREMENTS

The following requirements apply to noise emissions from the Project: • Environment Protection Act 2017 • the Regulations • Planning Permit PA1700266.

• NZS 6808:2010 as referenced by the Planning Permit for the assessment of wind farm noise.

• EPA Victoria Noise Protocol 2 for the assessment of ancillary infrastructure noise. While the Planning Permit refers to EPA Victoria Publication 1411 Noise from Industry in Regional Victoria, October 2011 (NIRV Guidelines), the NIRV Guidelines were superseded by the new Noise Protocol on 1 July 2021. Compliance with the Noise Protocol is considered to result in compliance with NIRV and, therefore, this NMP is based on compliance with the Noise Protocol to fulfil the Planning Permit requirements in relation to ancillary infrastructure noise.

• International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 61400-11:2012 Wind turbines – Acoustic noise measurement techniques as referenced by the Planning Permit for the preparation of the Near-field Compliance Testing Report.

The key requirements of each of the above documents are summarised below.

Environmental Protection Act 2017

Section 25(1) of the Environment Protection Act 2017 (the Act) sets forth the General Environmental Duty (GED), which states: A person who is engaging in an activity that may give rise to risks of harm to human health or the environment from pollution or waste must minimise those risks, so far as reasonably practicable.

GPWFM has an obligation to understand the risks associated with noise and to take reasonably practicable steps to minimise those risks. EPA Victoria has released a range of subordinate legislation and guidelines to support the Act. Compliance with these subordinate legislation and guidelines would be expected to assist in meeting the GED. For the purposes of this NMP, compliance with the requirements of Section 4 to Section 11 is deemed to demonstrate compliance with the GED in relation to operational noise from the Project.

The Regulations

The Regulations are made under Section 465 of the Act and modify the principal Environment Protection Regulations 2021 to include provisions for wind turbine noise. Compliance with the Regulations would be expected to assist in demonstrating compliance with the GED, and the operator of a wind farm must take all applicable actions set out in the Regulations.

For the purposes of this NMP, compliance with the requirements of Section 4 to Section 11is deemed to demonstrate compliance with the Regulations.

3.2.1 NZS 6808:2010

As the Project was issued a Planning Permit after 1 January 2011, the Regulations set out that the applicable noise standard is NZS 6808:2010 as modified by relevant conditions of the Planning Permit.

The Regulations state that GPWFM must ensure that wind turbine noise from the Project complies with the noise limits set out in NZS 6808:2010 as modified by relevant conditions of the Planning Permit. Wind turbine noise is deemed to be unreasonable, as defined by the Act, if it exceeds these noise limits.

EPA Victoria Publication 1826 Noise limit and assessment protocol for the control of noise from commercial, industrial and trade premises and entertainment venues

2

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3.2.2 Involved stakeholders

The Regulations state that: • For any involved stakeholders with an agreement made before 1 August 2021, then the noise provisions of that agreement remain.

• For any involved stakeholders with an agreement made on or after 1 August 2021, then the applicable noise limit is the greater of 45 dB LA90 or background plus 5 dB determined in accordance with NZS 6808:2010.

3.2.3 Post-construction noise assessment

Under the Regulations, a post-construction noise assessment must be conducted for the Project: • within 12 months of the commencement of operation of the facility or • in the case of a facility that commences operations in stages, within 12 months of each stage being completed.

It is noted that this is required by the Planning Permit, which also impose additional post-construction noise assessment requirements on the Project beyond those required by the Regulations.

The post-construction noise assessment must be conducted by a suitably qualified and experienced acoustician, with an accompanying report by an environmental auditor. Both the post-construction noise assessment report and the environmental auditor report must be provided to the EPA Victoria upon completion.

3.2.4 Noise management plan

The Regulations require that a wind farm operator prepare and implement a noise management plan, with an accompanying report by an environmental auditor. The noise management plan must include procedures for: • the identification, assessment and control of risk of harm to human health and the environment from wind turbine noise • assessing compliance with the noise limits set out in the relevant noise standard • assessing compliance with alternative monitoring point criteria (intermediate monitoring locations) • reducing wind turbine noise in the event non-compliance with the noise limits set out in the relevant noise standard is detected • addressing any complaints about wind turbine noise received by the operator, including who will investigate the complaint and respond to the complainant.

This NMP has been prepared to address each of the items above.

3.2.5 Annual statement

The Regulations require that a wind farm operator provide a statement summarising complaints concerning wind turbine noise and how those complaints were addressed, evidence of compliance with any Planning Permit requirements relating to wind turbine operating modes, and details of any maintenance activities and noise remediation actions.

The annual statement must be provided by the end of October each year and refer to activities undertaken in the previous financial year. It must demonstrate whether the wind turbine noise complied with the applicable noise limits at either Noise-Sensitive Locations and/or alternative assessment locations (Alternative Monitoring Locations).

3.2.6 Periodic noise monitoring

From 1 July 2024 and within three months of the wind farm commencing operation, and every subsequent five years, wind turbine operators must ensure that wind turbine noise monitoring has occurred within the previous five years to demonstrate compliance with the applicable noise limits. It is noted that the periodic noise monitoring procedure does not need to be in accordance with the post-construction noise assessment procedures required by the Planning Permit and may be based on measurements conducted at alternative assessment locations (intermediate monitoring locations).

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Any such wind turbine noise assessment must be conducted by a suitably qualified and experienced acoustician, with an accompanying report by an environmental auditor. Both the noise assessment report and the environmental auditor report must be provided to the EPA Victoria upon completion.

Planning Permit conditions

Conditions 13 to 32 of Planning Permit PA1700266 relate to environmental noise emissions from the Project. These conditions are reproduced below.

NOISE

In conditions 13‐32: • ‘ancillary infrastructure’ means the terminal station and collector stations.

• ‘the Standard’ means New Zealand Standard 6808:2010, Acoustics – Wind Farm Noise.

• ‘Noise-Sensitive Locations’ are locations defined as such in the Standard which existed as at 17 August 2017.

• ‘NIRV’ means EPA Publication 1411: Noise from Industry in Regional Victoria.

• ‘noise-sensitive areas’ are locations defined as such in the Glossary in NIRV. • ‘the first turbine operating’ means the time from which a turbine first commences generating electricity.

• ‘the last turbine operating’ means the time from which the last turbine to be constructed first commences generating electricity.

Table 3.1 - Summary of Planning Permit conditions

No. Condition Details

Relevance to this NMP

Wind Farm Performance Requirement 13

14

15

Subject to condition 14 and condition 18(c)(i), at any wind speed, noise from the operation of the wind turbines, when measured at NoiseSensitive Locations, must comply with the appropriate limits in the Standard at all times.

If it is determined that sound from the wind energy facility has a special audible characteristic at any Noise-Sensitive Locations, the measured sound level shall have a penalty applied in accordance with the Standard.

The limits specified in condition 13 do not apply if an agreement has been entered into with the owner of the Noise-Sensitive Location that waives compliance with condition 13. Evidence of the agreement must be provided to the satisfaction of the responsible authority upon request, and be in a form that applies to the land upon which the NoiseSensitive Location is located for the life of the wind energy facility.

The wind farm noise limits in this NMP have been developed in accordance with NZS 6808:2010.

Section 5.7 and Appendix E of this NMP details procedures for the assessment of Special Audible Characteristics and the application of penalties.

Stakeholder dwellings are not addressed in this NMP as noise limits do not apply under the Permit.

Ancillary Infrastructure Performance Requirements 16

Subject to condition 17, noise from ancillary infrastructure associated with the wind energy facility must comply with the noise levels for noise-sensitive areas in accordance with NIRV at all times.

17

The limits specified in condition 16 do not apply if an agreement has been entered into with the owner of a noise-sensitive area which waives compliance with condition 16. Evidence of the agreement must be provided to the satisfaction of the responsible authority upon request, and be in a form that applies to the land upon which the noise-sensitive area is located for the life of the wind energy facility.

The ancillary infrastructure noise limits in this NMP have been developed in accordance with NIRV. Stakeholder dwellings are not addressed in this NMP as noise limits do not apply under the Permit.

Compliance Assessment Pre-construction Noise Assessment 18

Before development starts, a Pre‐Construction Noise Assessment based on the final turbine layout and turbine model to be installed and the detailed design of the ancillary infrastructure must be submitted to,

The noise limits determined as part of the Pre-Construction Noise Assessment are documented in this 8

No. Condition Details approved and endorsed by the responsible authority. The endorsed Pre‐ Construction Noise Assessment must be placed on the project website as soon as practicable.

19

The Pre‐Construction Noise Assessment must: a) be prepared in accordance with the Standard and NIRV, and must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the responsible authority that the facility will comply with the performance requirements specified in conditions 13 and 16 b) include the collection of background noise monitoring data points over a 6‐week period, or at least 4,032 valid data points (whichever is lesser) for each representative site, analysis by 24 hour and night (10 pm to 7 am) only period, and for each time sector analysis for each 45 degree wind rose direction c) include: i. a specific acknowledgement that the areas in and around Rokewood that are zoned Township Zone and Low Density Residential Zone are a high amenity area for the purposes of the Standard ii. an assessment as to whether the high amenity noise limit should apply to these areas and the appropriate threshold wind speed, based on the guidance in Clause C5.3.1 of the Standard iii. be accompanied by an Environmental Audit Report prepared under Part IXD, Section 53V of the Environment Protection Act 1970 from an environmental auditor appointed under Part IXD of the Environment Protection Act 1970. The report must verify that the Pre-Construction Noise assessment has been conducted in accordance with the Standard and meets the requirements of this permit.

The following data collected during the Pre‐Construction Noise Assessment must be retained in their original form and made available on request to the responsible authority, any person conducting a noise investigation report under the Noise Management Plan, or for independent review under conditions 28 to 31: a) background noise monitoring survey data, in their original form as recorded by each individual field sound level meter at each Noise-Sensitive Location at which monitoring was undertaken b) wind speed and direction monitoring survey data, in their original form as recorded for assessment at each NoiseSensitive Location at which monitoring was undertaken.

Relevance to this NMP NMP.

This NMP documents the requirement for this data to be provided, where requested, in relevant situations.

Near-field Compliance Testing Report 20

Prior to the last turbine operating, a Near‐field Compliance Testing Report must be prepared which describes and assesses the results of the sound power level testing of a representative sample of turbines, including the presence or absence of special audible characteristics and tonal audibility levels, by either: a) verifying that the measured sound power levels (including any penalties), accounting for test uncertainty, are equivalent to or less than the values adopted as the basis of the Pre-

Section 6 of this NMP details procedures for the preparation of the Near-Field Compliance Test Report, and action in the event of excessive sound power levels or tonality.

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No. Condition Details Construction Noise Assessment carried out under condition 18; or b) verifying that predicted noise levels (including any penalties) determined on the basis of the measured sound power level test results are below the noise limits in condition 13 for NoiseSensitive Locations, using the same prediction methodology used for the Pre-Construction Noise Assessment carried out under condition 18.

If the measured sound power levels or tonal audibility levels are 21 significantly different from the data referenced in the Pre‐Construction Noise Assessment, the Near Field Compliance Testing Report must address these differences and outline whether additional sound power level testing is warranted to verify and assess the noise emissions of other wind turbines at the site.

Operating acoustic compliance assessment 22 A post‐construction noise assessment report prepared in accordance

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with the New Zealand Standard NZS6808:2010, Acoustics – Wind Farm Noise demonstrating whether the wind energy facility complies with the Standard, must be submitted to the responsible authority. If the wind energy facility is constructed in stages, additional post‐construction noise assessment reports for each stage must be submitted to the responsible authority.

The post‐construction noise assessment report, prepared in accordance with the Standard and NIRV which demonstrates whether the facility complies with the performance requirements specified in conditions 13 and 16 (including any penalty for special audible characteristics), must be submitted to the responsible authority within: a) 6 months of the first turbine operating (in respect of demonstrating compliance with condition 13); and b) 6 months of the ancillary infrastructure commencing operations (in respect of demonstrating compliance with condition 16).

Further post‐construction noise assessment reports prepared in accordance with this condition must be submitted to the responsible authority annually from the date of the first report being submitted until the final turbine is operating.

Each post‐construction noise assessment report must be accompanied by an environmental audit report prepared under Part IXD, Section 53V of the Environment Protection Act 1970 by an environmental auditor appointed under Part IXD of the Environment Protection Act 1970. The environmental audit report must verify that the acoustic assessment undertaken for the purpose of the post‐construction noise assessment report has been conducted in accordance with the New Zealand Standard NZS6808:2010, Acoustics – Wind Farm Noise.

Relevance to this NMP

Section 6 of this NMP details procedures for the preparation of the Near-Field Compliance Test Report, and action in the event of excessive sound power levels or tonality.

Section 7 of this NMP details procedures for the preparation and submission of the PostConstruction Noise Assessment Report.

Section 7 of this NMP details procedures for the preparation and submission of the PostConstruction Noise Assessment Report.

Section 7 of this NMP details procedures for the preparation and submission of the PostConstruction Noise Assessment Report.

Noise Management Plan 25

Before development starts, a Noise Management Plan must be This NMP has been prepared to submitted to, approved and endorsed by the responsible authority. The fulfil Condition 25. plan must be prepared in consultation with the general public within the vicinity of the project, to the satisfaction of the responsible authority. When endorsed the Noise Management Plan will form part of this permit. The endorsed Noise Management Plan must be placed on 10

No. Condition Details the project website for the life of the project.

The Noise Management Plan must specify details of: a) Near‐field Compliance Testing Report, detailing how this testing and report will be prepared in accordance with IEC 61400‐11:2012 Wind turbines – Acoustic noise measurement techniques, and which presents the measured turbine sound power level and tonal audibility, including details of the representative sample of turbines to be tested. b) Post‐construction Acoustic Compliance Reports: detailing how these will be prepared in accordance with the Standard and NIRV, to demonstrate whether or not the facility complies with the performance requirements in conditions 13 and 16. c) Noise Investigation Reports: detailing procedures for when complaints are received in accordance with the endorsed Complaints Investigation and Response Plan (condition 94) or when potential non‐compliance with the performance requirements in conditions 13 and 16 is otherwise detected. d) Noise Remediation Plans: detailing procedures for prompt actions to achieve compliance when non‐compliance with the performance requirements in conditions 13 and 16 is found to have occurred. e) The requirements for each of the documents referred to in condition 25(b), (c) and (d), including what matters they must address, and when they must be submitted.

26 The endorsed Noise Management Plan must be implemented to the satisfaction of the responsible authority. The endorsed Noise Management Plan must not be altered or modified without the written consent of the responsible authority.

27 The endorsed Noise Management Plan, any of the reports referred to in condition 25 and any peer review or peer review report under conditions 29 and 30 must promptly be placed on the Proponent’s website.

Peer review of noise reports and plans 28 The Pre‐Construction Noise Assessment required under condition 18, 29

30

31

the Noise Management Plan required under condition 25, and each report and remediation plan required under condition 25, must be prepared by a suitably qualified and experienced acoustician.

The Noise Management Plan required under condition 25, and the noise remediation plan required under condition 25, must be accompanied by a peer review from an environmental auditor appointed under Part IXD of the Environment Protection Act 1970 verifying that the report or plan is suitable, and meets the requirements of this permit.

If requested by the responsible authority, the noise investigation reports required under condition 25(c) must be accompanied by a report from an environmental auditor appointed under Part IXD of the Environment Protection Act 1970 verifying that the report or plan is suitable, and meets the requirements of this permit.

If an auditor appointed under Part IXD of the Environment Protection Act 1970 cannot be retained for any of the requirements under conditions 29 and 30, written consent of the responsible authority may be sought to provide a peer review from a suitably qualified and experienced independent acoustic engineer instead.

Relevance to this NMP

Refer Section 1.1 of this NMP.

Refer Section 1.5 of this NMP.

Refer to Section 1.3 of this NMP.

Refer to Appendix C of this NMP. Peer review requirements for other reports are also detailed in this NMP. Refer to Appendix C of this NMP. Peer review requirements for other reports are also detailed in this NMP. Refer to Appendix C of this NMP. Peer review requirements for other reports are also detailed in this NMP. 11

No. Condition Details 32 The environmental auditor or peer reviewer must be a different author to the author of the report being reviewed and must make an appropriate conflict of interest declaration.

Relevance to this NMP Refer to Appendix C of this NMP.

NZS 6808:2010

NZS 6808:2010 Acoustics – Wind farm noise details procedures as to how wind farm noise assessments should be undertaken and is the relevant Standard for wind farm noise assessments in Victoria. NZS 6808:2010 is referenced in the Planning Permit issued for the site.

NZS 6808:2010 details noise limits for wind farms and specifies the methods which are used for measurement of the noise at the site and the analysis of that data. Some of the items which are specified in NZS 6808:2010 include: • type of measurement equipment that is to be used • location where the equipment should be setup on site, height of microphone and distance from other objects • type of noise and weather data that should be gathered and quantity of that data • methods that should be used for data analysis.

3.4.1 Wind farm noise limits

Under Condition 13, noise from the wind farm must comply with the noise limits detailed in NZS 6808:2010.

Therefore, the following Noise Limits apply at all Noise-Sensitive Locations around the Project: • Base limit: 40 dB LA90 or • Background-adjustment limit: background noise level (LA90) plus 5 dB, whichever is the greater with wind speed.

In addition to the above, Noise-Sensitive Locations within the Rokewood LDRZ and TZ are deemed to be in a High Amenity area. Clause 5.3.1 of NZS 6808:2010 states that locations in High Amenity areas are subject to a more stringent base limit of 35 dB LA90 under certain conditions. These conditions are: • the more stringent limit only applies at evening and night-time • the more stringent limit only applies up to a defined wind speed threshold, the recommended wind speed threshold being 6 m/s at WTG hub height • the more stringent limit only applies when the background noise level is lower than 30 dB LA90, otherwise it becomes the background noise level (LA90) plus 5 dB. While NZS 6808:2010 does require that consideration is given to differences in noise levels that may occur during periods of different wind directions and time of day, no specific requirements are stated. However, Condition 18 of the Planning Permit makes clear that specific consideration is to be given to the night-time period (10 pm to 7 am) and to data collected under each 45-degree wide wind direction sector. It is noted that, while this separate analysis is required by the Planning Permit, separate noise limits for different wind direction sectors would only be considered under NZS 6808:2010 where a marked difference in noise levels has been observed for a particular direction sector or sectors.

The Pre-Construction Noise Assessment has detailed the assessment of background noise levels at the Project and has specified the wind farm noise limits that apply to each Noise-Sensitive Location based on these background noise levels.

3.4.2 Special Audible Characteristics

NZS 6808:2010 states that, where Special Audible Characteristics are detected at Noise-Sensitive Locations as a result of wind farm noise, then a penalty shall be applied to the measured wind farm noise level for the purposes of assessing compliance with the Noise Limits.

As defined by NZS 6808:2010, potential Special Audible Characteristics of wind farm noise that require assessment are tonality, impulsiveness and excessive amplitude modulation. Where one or more Special Audible Characteristics is 12

present in the wind farm noise at a dwelling being considered, then a penalty of up to 6 dB shall be added to the Measured Wind Farm Noise Level in accordance with as determined in accordance with Section 5.7. The correction shall only apply at those wind speeds where the characteristic has been found to be present.

Noise Protocol

The Noise Protocol prescribes procedures for determining appropriate environmental noise lmits that should be applied at Noise-Sensitive Locations, such as residential areas, with respect to noise due to commercial, industrial and trade operations. The noise limits are dependent on: • The time of day: more stringent noise criteria apply at night time than apply during the daytime and evening.

• The zoning of the land containing the noise source and the land containing the noise receiver: lower noise criteria apply in areas designated for residential, and similar, uses.

The Noise Protocol has superseded the NIRV Guidelines specified in the Planning Permit. Compliance with the Noise Protocol would also result in compliance with the NIRV Guidelines.

3.5.1 Ancillary infrastructure noise limits

The ancillary infrastructure for the Project and the nearest Noise-Sensitive Locations are located in Farming Zones.

Where this occurs, the noise limits detailed in Table 3.2 are derived in accordance with Noise Protocol procedures for utilities.

Table 3.2 - Ancillary infrastructure noise limits

Time period Day Evening Night

Times 7 am to 6 pm Weekdays and Saturdays 6 pm to 10 pm Weekdays and Saturdays 7 am to 10 pm Sundays and Public Holidays 10 pm to 7 am All Days

Noise Limit, dB LAeq,30min 45 39 34

Unlike NZS 6808:2010, background noise measurements are not normally required to establish specific Noise Protocol limits in rural areas. Background noise levels should be measured to determine the Noise Protocol limits in ‘background relevant areas’ in rural Victoria, such as those areas where traffic noise contributes to the environment that may result in a higher background noise environment than typically expected in rural areas, but this is not considered to be the case for Noise-Sensitive Locations surrounding the Project.

3.5.2 Special Audible Characteristics

The Noise Protocol does not use the term Special Audible Characteristics but details procedures for the assessment of potentially annoying characteristics such as tonality and impulsiveness. Where these characteristics occur at a NoiseSensitive Location as a result of noise from the ancillary infrastructure, then a penalty shall be applied to the measured ancillary infrastructure noise level in accordance with Noise Protocol procedures.

IEC 61400-11:2012

IEC 61400-11:2012 defines procedures for conducting near-field measurements and quantifying the sound power level and tonal audibility produced by WTGs. These procedures are widely used by WTG suppliers to provide consistent and comparable information of the sound power level of a WTG. Unlike NZS 6808:2010 and the Noise Protocol, IEC 61400-11 does not prescribe acceptable limits for WTG sound power levels or tonal audibility, nor does it provide a methodology for calculating the level of noise or tonality at a Noise-Sensitive Location based on the determined sound power level and near-field tonal audibility.

The relevance of IEC 61400-11:2012 to this NMP is that it defines procedures for measurements that shall be adopted as part of the Near-Field Compliance Testing Report. The outcomes of these measurements shall be compared to stated sound power level and tonal audibility values provided by the manufacturer.

13

4 APPLICATION NOISE LIMITS Wind farm noise limits

Under Condition 13, noise from the wind farm must comply with the noise limits detailed in NZS 6808:2010.

Therefore, the following Noise Limits apply at all Noise-Sensitive Locations around the Project: • Base limit: 40 dB LA90 or • Background-adjustment limit: background noise level (LA90) plus 5 dB, whichever is the greater with wind speed.

In addition to the above, Noise-Sensitive Locations within the Rokewood LDRZ and TZ are deemed to be in a High Amenity area. Clause 5.3.1 of NZS 6808:2010 states that locations in High Amenity areas are subject to a more stringent base limit of 35 dB LA90 under certain conditions. These conditions are: • the more stringent limit only applies at evening and night-time • the more stringent limit only applies up to a defined wind speed threshold, the recommended wind speed threshold being 6 m/s at WTG hub height • the more stringent limit only applies when the background noise level is lower than 30 dB LA90, otherwise it becomes the background noise level (LA90) plus 5 dB. Specific wind farm noise limits for each Noise-Sensitive Location are as detailed in the Pre-Construction Noise Assessment and as summarised in Table 4.2.

Alternative Monitoring Location noise criteria

At any time, a suitably qualified and experienced acoustic consultancy (Independent Test Authority) appointed under this NMP may define noise criteria that apply at Alternative Monitoring Locations, in accordance with the alternative monitoring point criteria defined in the Regulations. The Alternative Monitoring Location noise criteria shall consider the predicted difference in wind turbine noise levels between the Alternative Monitoring Location and the nearest Noise-Sensitive Location such that, if compliance is achieved with the noise criteria at the Alternative Monitoring Location, compliance will also be achieved at with the noise limits at the Noise-Sensitive Location.

The noise prediction procedures used for this purpose should be consistent with the prediction procedures detailed in the Pre-Construction Noise Assessment for the Project. The Independent Test Authority shall justify any deviations from these noise prediction procedures.

Ancillary infrastructure noise limits

As the ancillary infrastructure may operate 24 hours per day, compliance will need to be achieved with the more stringent night-time Noise Protocol limit of 34 dB LAeq,30min at Noise-Sensitive Locations. Table 4.1 summarises the noise limits for the nearest Noise-Sensitive Locations to each ancillary infrastructure location.

Table 4.1 - Ancillary infrastructure noise limits at nearest Noise-Sensitive Locations

Ancillary infrastructure location Geggies Road terminal station Gilletts Road collector station Boyles Road collector station Bells Road collector station

Nearest Noise-Sensitive Location R20 – a P31 - a H32 - a W28 - a

Noise limit, dB LAeq,30min 34 34 34 34

14

Table 4.2 - Applicable wind farm noise limits

Locations F35 - a, G30 a, H28 - a, H30 - a, H32 - a, H38 - a K27 - a, L26 - a

Monitoring location H32 - a

K27 - a

M35 - b, M37 a, O34 - a, O34 -b

O34 - a

N25 - a, N25 b, O24 - a, P24 - a, P24 - b

P24 - b

P31 - a, P31 c, P32 - a

P31 - a

Q30 - a

Q30 - a

Scenario All-time periods Night-time periods, 10 pm to 7 am All-time periods Night-time periods, 10 pm to 7 am All-time periods for wind directions of 0 to 90º Night-time period, 10 pm to 7 am, for wind directions of 0 to 90º All-time periods Night-time periods, 10 pm to 7 am All-time periods Night-time periods, 10 pm to 7 am All-time periods Night-time periods, 10 pm to 7 am All-time periods Night-time periods, 10 pm to

Wind farm noise limit in dB LA90 at hub height (148 m AGL) wind speed in m/s ≤3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 40.0 40.0 40.0 40.0 40.0 40.0 40.0 41.1 42.8 40.0 40.0 40.0 40.0 40.0 40.0 40.0 40.0 41.1

12 44.5 42.6

13 46.3 44.3

14 48.0 45.9

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

41.7 40.0

43.9 40.7

46.2 43.2

40.0

40.0

40.0

40.0

40.0

40.0

40.0

40.0

40.0

40.0

40.0

40.0

40.0

40.0

40.0

40.0

40.0

40.0

40.0

40.0

40.0

40.0

40.0

40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

41.6 40.0

43.8 41.8

45.9 44.4

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

42.1 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.5 40.0

42.7 40.0

45.1 40.9

47.4 43.6

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

41.5 40.0

43.4 41.1

45.4 43.2

47.3 45.4

15

Locations

Q31 - o, Q32 g, R31 - f, R31 - q, R31 - ab, R31 - ai, R31 aj, R31 - ak, R31 - al, R31 am, R31 - an, R31 - ao, R31 be, R32 - a, R32 - b, R32 c, R32 - d R31 - ae, R31 af

Monitoring location Q31 - o

Q31 - o

Q31 - b, Q31 - Q31 - p c, Q32 - a, Q32 - b, Q32 - c, Q32 - d, Q32 e, Q32 - f Q31 - a, Q31 - Q31 - p c, Q31 - e, Q31 - f, Q31 - g, Q31 - h, Q31 i, Q31 - j, Q31 k, Q31 - l, Q31 - m, Q31 - p

Scenario 7 am All-time periods Evening period, 6 pm to 10 pm, including high amenity requirements Night-time period, 10 pm to 7 am, including high amenity requirements All-time periods Night-time periods, 10 pm to 7 am All-time periods Night-time periods, 10 pm to 7 am All-time periods Evening period, 6 pm to 10 pm, including high amenity requirements Night-time period, 10 pm to 7 am, including high amenity requirements

Wind farm noise limit in dB LA90 at hub height (148 m AGL) wind speed in m/s ≤3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

12

13

14

40.0 35.0

40.0 35.0

40.0 35.0

40.0 35.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.7 40.0

42.1 41.4

43.7 43.2

45.4 45.3

47.1 47.9

35.0

35.0

35.0

35.0

40.0

40.0

40.0

40.0

40.0

40.0

40.7

42.9

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.7 40.0

42.1 40.0

43.7 40.0

45.4 40.7

47.1 42.9

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

41.1 40.0

42.9 40.0

44.7 40.0

46.6 41.7

40.0 35.0

40.0 35.0

40.0 35.0

40.0 35.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

41.1 40.5

42.9 42.0

44.7 43.6

46.6 45.3

35.0

35.0

35.0

35.0

40.0

40.0

40.0

40.0

40.0

40.0

40.0

41.7

16

Locations R20 - a

Monitoring location R20 - a

R31 - b, R31 R31 - ad c, R31 - d, R31 - g, R31 - h, R31 - j, R31 - k, R31 - n, R31 r, R31 - s, R31 t, R31 - u, R31 - v, R31 - w, R31 - z, R31 aa, R31 - ad, R31 - ap, R31 aq, R31 - ar, R31 - as, R31 at, R31 - av, R31 - aw, R31 ax, R31 - az, R31 - ba, R31 bb, R31 - bc, R31 - bd, R31 bf U18 - a, U18 – U18 - a b, U18 – c, W17 - a, X18 a R32 - e, T32 W28 - a b, U31 - a, V30 - a, W27 - i, W28 - a, Y28 a, Y28 - b, Z28

Scenario All-time periods Night-time periods, 10 pm to 7 am All-time periods Evening period, 6 pm to 10 pm, including high amenity requirements Night-time period, 10 pm to 7 am, including high amenity requirements

All-time periods Night-time periods, 10 pm to 7 am All-time periods Night-time periods, 10 pm to 7 am

Wind farm noise limit in dB LA90 at hub height (148 m AGL) wind speed in m/s ≤3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 40.0 40.0 40.0 40.0 40.0 40.0 40.0 40.0 41.2 40.0 40.0 40.0 40.0 40.0 40.0 40.0 40.0 40.0

12 42.8 40.0

13 44.6 40.0

14 46.5 41.0

40.0 35.0

40.0 35.0

40.0 35.0

40.0 35.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.2 40.0

41.5 40.0

42.9 40.2

44.4 41.8

45.9 43.6

47.6 45.4

35.0

35.0

35.0

35.0

40.0

40.0

40.0

40.0

40.0

40.8

42.7

44.7

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.4 40.0

42.5 40.0

44.9 42.5

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

41.5 40.0

43.4 40.9

45.3 43.1

17

Locations - a, AA27 - a, AA27 - b AC18 - a

Monitoring location

Scenario

AC18 - a

All-time periods Night-time periods, 10 pm to 7 am All-time periods Night-time periods, 10 pm to 7 am All-time periods Night-time periods, 10 pm to 7 am

AC22 - a, AD23 -a

AD23 - a

AE25 - a

AE25 - a

Wind farm noise limit in dB LA90 at hub height (148 m AGL) wind speed in m/s ≤3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

12

13

14

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

41.4 40.0

43.7 41.0

46.2 44.3

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.8 40.0

43.3 40.6

45.9 43.8

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

40.0 40.0

41.5 40.0

43.1 41.2

44.9 42.9

46.7 44.7

48.6 46.7

18

5 NOISE MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES

This Section of the NMP details noise monitoring and assessment procedures. The relevant procedures detailed in this Section may be applied to any noise monitoring conducted to fulfil a requirement under the Planning Permit, including: • Any Near-Field Compliance Testing Report.

• Any Post-Construction Noise Assessment Report.

• A Noise Investigation Report where noise monitoring is determined to be necessary in accordance with the Complaint Investigation and Response Plan (CIRP).

Independent Test Authority

A suitably qualified and experienced acoustic consultancy (Independent Test Authority) shall be appointed to undertake any noise monitoring and assessment procedures detailed within this section. For the purposes of this NMP, an Independent Test Authority must: • Appoint a lead consultant with a minimum of five years of experience in the assessment of wind farm noise for the assessment.

• Ensure that all staff carrying out technical work on the assessments are eligible to be a Member of the Australian Acoustical Society.

Background noise monitoring

It is not anticipated that additional background noise monitoring will be required for the Project beyond that conducted as part of the Pre-Construction Noise Assessment. However, the Independent Test Authority may deem it necessary to conduct additional background noise monitoring if: • There is the desire to conduct operational noise monitoring at an Alternative Monitoring Location (refer Section 5.5) and it is considered necessary to establish background noise levels at that location first.

• The background noise levels at a Noise-Sensitive Location are believed to have increased sufficiently such that it is difficult to establish compliance and an opportunity to conduct background noise monitoring exists.

• An alternative Noise-Sensitive Location where no previous background noise monitoring has been conducted is selected as a test location due to access not being granted to a test location nominated in this NMP. Generally, the above are unlikely to be practical due to the complications associated with operational noise and/or construction noise from the Project influencing the noise environment at Noise-Sensitive Locations. However, if the Independent Test Authority can suitably demonstrate that noise from operation of the Project and/or construction of the Project are more than 10 dB below the measured background noise level, then background noise monitoring results may be deemed valid. This is consistent with the approach to changes in noise levels in Clause 5.6.4 of NZS 6808:2010.

In the event that the Independent Test Authority elects to undertake background noise monitoring at Noise-Sensitive Locations, the procedures detailed in NZS 6808:2010 shall be followed at a minimum.

In the event that any additional background noise monitoring is conducted at a Noise-Sensitive Location, then the Independent Test Authority shall use the updated background noise levels to determine the Measured Wind Farm Noise Levels in the assessment against the established wind farm noise limits.

Near-field WTG testing

Near-field testing refers to sound power level and tonal audibility testing conducted in general accordance with IEC 61400-11. This would primarily occur for the preparation of the Near-Field Compliance Test Report required under Condition 20 of the Planning Permit but may also occur for the purpose of Noise Investigation Reports if deemed necessary by the Independent Test Authority.

Near-field testing of WTGs shall occur in general accordance with the procedures detailed in IEC 61400-11:2012 as required by the Planning Permit with the addition of the following: 19

•

IEC 61400-11:2012 only requires sound power levels and tonal audibility to be quantified over the wind speed range of 0.8 to 1.3 times the wind speed at 85% of rated power of the WTG being tested. For the purposes of the Near-Field Compliance Test Report, the tests shall cover the range from cut-in wind speed to rated power wind speed at a minimum.

It is noted that some deviations from IEC 61400-11:2012 and this NMP may be necessary during any near-field testing, most notably that: • Wind speed data during WTG shutdowns may not be available from a meteorological mast that meets the requirements of IEC 61400-11:2012 and wind speeds during shutdowns may need to be obtained from a different source.

• The Planning Permit requirement for the Near-Field Compliance Test Report to be submitted prior to the operation of the last WTG at the site may mean that it is not practical to obtain test data across the full wind speed range required by this NMP. This will be dependent on the WTG commissioning schedule and the available wind conditions that occur at the site.

The Independent Test Authority shall detail and justify any deviations from IEC 61400-11:2012 in any reporting outputs from the near-field testing.

Operational wind farm noise monitoring at Noise-Sensitive Locations

The following procedures shall be undertaken to conduct post-construction noise monitoring at a Noise-Sensitive Location.

5.4.1 Measurement equipment and procedures

All post-construction noise monitoring shall be carried out in general accordance with the procedures detailed in NZS 6808:2010.

In selecting a noise monitoring location, the Independent Test Authority shall, in the first instance, select the location where previous background noise monitoring was conducted. In the event that this location does not exist (as no previous background noise monitoring was conducted) or is no longer suitable (e.g. due to changes in the local environment), then the Independent Test Authority shall select a location in general accordance with NZS 6808:2010.

All noise monitoring equipment used for the monitoring shall have a current (i.e. within two years) calibration certificate from a National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) certified laboratory and be field calibrated at the start and end of the monitoring period.

5.4.2 Wind speed and direction

The measured noise levels shall be analysed against average hub height wind speed and wind direction measured at the wind farm site in 10-minute intervals. The wind speed measured at the location shall not be affected by the operation of the WTGs as required by NZS 6808:2010 (i.e. the data shall be wake-free).

For the purposes of comparison with the wind farm noise limits, it is necessary to use the same wind speed and direction measurement locations as were used for the background noise monitoring. This is because the use of different wind measurement locations could result in false indications of compliance or non-compliance with the noise limits that are a result of the difference in wind measurement location rather than wind farm noise levels.

The wind speed measurement locations for each background noise monitoring location are detailed in Table 5.1.

When operational noise levels are compared to the wind farm noise limits determined from these background noise measurements, the same wind speed measurement location must be used.

20

Table 5.1 - Wind speed measurement location for each background noise monitoring location

Background noise monitoring location H32 – a O34 – a K27 – a P24 – b P31 – a Q30 – a Q31 – o Q31 – p R20 – a R31 – ad U18 – a W28 – a AC18 – a AD23 – a AE25 – a

Geographical Coordinated (WGS 84 UTM Zone 54S) Easting Northing 729073 5802087 736250 5804496 732346 5797615 737293 5794965 737563 5801100 738605 5800832 738965 5801387 738734 5801410 739599 5790079 739668 5801376 742345 5788139 744889 5798050 750884 5788946 751141 5793676 752600 5795678

Closest Mast

Distance to Mast (m)

RWW100 RWW100 RWW100 RWS100 RWS100 RWS100 RWS100 RWS100 RWS100 RWS100 BP100 RWS100 BP100 BP100 BP100

2222 5604 6178 3523 6357 5653 6054 6148 5645 5874 6029 4801 3521 4481 6924

It is noted that, during operation of the Project, it is likely that a suitable wind speed measurement location will not be available at the locations listed in Table 5.1 and the permanent meteorological masts will be in different locations.

GPWFM shall appoint a suitably qualified wind consultant to advise on suitable interpretation methods for wind data at the site, such that it is representative of wake-free wind data measured at the locations listed in Table 5.1. The Independent Test Authority shall implement the methodology advised by the wind consultant and document it in any reporting outputs.

In the event that hub height wind speed is not able to be directly measured, the Independent Test Authority may calculate hub height wind speeds using an appropriate methodology considering wind speeds measured at two different heights.

5.4.3 WTG data

WTG average power, wind speed and nacelle position data shall be provided by GPWFM to the Independent Test Authority in 10-minute intervals.

The Independent Test Authority shall use the data to verify the WTGs were operating normally during the postconstruction test period. For the purposes of this NMP, ‘operating normally’ is defined as sufficient WTGs being operating normally such that the predicted noise level at the Noise-Sensitive Location does not decrease by more than 0.5 dB from the predicted noise level for all WTGs operating normally.

5.4.4 Duration

For the purposes of the Post-Construction Noise Assessment Report, monitoring shall occur for a minimum of six weeks or until 4,032 valid 10-minute data points are obtained overall, whichever is the lesser.

For monitoring carried out for any other purposes, the duration of the monitoring should generally conform to the above requirements. If the Independent Test Authority deems a lesser duration appropriate, then this shall be justified in the assessment report.

5.4.5 Assessment

The Independent Test Authority shall analyse the measured post-construction noise levels in accordance with NZS 6808:2010 to determine the Overall Measured Noise Level for each Test Location and each wind speed from cut21

in to rated power for the site. Data will be excluded from the analysis where it was influenced by: • rainfall noise • other extraneous noise that is not a normal part of the environment at the residence.

As part of the Pre-Construction Noise Assessment and in accordance with Condition 18 of the Planning Permit, separate analysis was carried out for: • all-time periods • night-time period (10 pm to 7 am) • evening period (High Amenity only, 6 pm to 10 pm) • 45-degree wide wind direction sectors.

From the Pre-Construction Noise Assessment, specific time periods and wind direction sectors were identified for Noise-Sensitive Locations that required consideration as part of the Post-Construction Noise Assessment Report. This includes: • separate all-time and night-time noise limits • separate evening noise limits for High Amenity areas • subject to Section 7.5, a separate noise limit for monitoring location K27 - a under winds from 0 to 90º which corresponds to periods where that location is downwind of the site and where a marked change in background noise levels was observed relative to other wind directions.

The Independent Test Authority shall perform a regression analysis to describe the relationship between the monitored post-construction noise levels (Overall Measured Noise Level) and the wind speed for the time and wind direction subsets detailed in Table 4.2. Additionally, the Independent Test Authority shall inspect the relationship between wind speed and noise level to determine if there are separate relationships with different wind directions and/or times of day. If there are markedly different relationships, as determined by the Independent Test Authority in accordance with NZS 6808:2010, then the Overall Measured Noise Level shall be separately assessed for those subsets.

The Overall Measured Noise Level for each subset, adjusted for any special audible characteristic penalties in accordance with Section 5.7, shall be compared to the wind farm noise limits to determine if compliance has been achieved. If the Overall Measured Noise Level achieves compliance with the noise limits, then the Project is compliant with the Planning Permit requirements.

If the Overall Measured Noise Level exceeds the noise limit for one or more subsets, then the Independent Test Authority shall correct the Overall Measured Noise Level by the measured background noise level for the corresponding subset in accordance with NZS 6808:2010. This will determine the Measured Wind Farm Noise Level. If the Measured Wind Farm Noise Level, adjusted for any Special Audible Characteristics, achieves compliance with the noise limits, then the Project is compliant with the Planning Permit requirements.

In the event that the Measured Wind Farm Noise Level, including any special audible characteristic penalties, is above the noise limit, and the Independent Test Authority has not identified any other potential sources of noise or background noise changes that may have contributed to this, then the Project is non-compliant with the Planning Permit requirements and Section 9 shall apply.

Operational wind farm noise monitoring at an Alternative Monitoring Location

In some cases, it may not be practical or possible to assess compliance at a Noise-Sensitive Location. This may occur due to: • lack of accurate information about the background noise levels at the location, e.g. due to no previous background noise monitoring occurring • an opinion by the Independent Test Authority or another suitably qualified acoustic consultant that the background noise environment at a location may have increased sufficiently for a compliance assessment at that location to no longer be practical 22

•

refusal of a property owner to grant access for noise monitoring.

In these cases, the Independent Test Authority shall select an Alternative Monitoring Location to conduct operational noise monitoring. The Alternative Monitoring Location shall be selected such that: • It is closer to the wind farm, and has a higher predicted wind farm noise level, than the Noise-Sensitive Location(s) that the Alternative Monitoring Location is intended to address.

• It is in a location where the background noise level is no higher than at the Noise-Sensitive Location(s) that the Alternative Monitoring Location is intended to address. In the event that the Independent Test Authority intends to correct measured noise levels at an Alternative Monitoring Location by the background noise level, the Independent Test Authority shall demonstrate that the background noise level is no higher at the Alternative Monitoring Location across the wind speed range from cut-in to rated power.

5.5.1 Measurement equipment and procedures

The requirements listed in Section 5.4.1 for measurement equipment and procedures shall also be adopted for Alternative Monitoring Locations.

5.5.2 Wind speed and direction data

The wind speed and direction procedures detailed in Section 5.4.2 shall also be adopted for Alternative Monitoring Locations where the measured noise levels are to be compared with the established wind farm noise limits at a NoiseSensitive Location. This is important to maintain consistency with the wind measurement reference point used for the background noise measurements.

In the event that the Independent Test Authority intends to use the Alternative Monitoring Location results to compare against the base limits, rather than the background-adjusted limits, then it is acceptable for other hub height wind speed measurement positions to be used. Any other wind speed measurement positions must still be able to provide hub height, wake-free wind speed data as per the relevant requirements of Section 5.4.2.

5.5.3 WTG data

WTG average power, wind speed and nacelle position data shall be provided by GPWFM to the Independent Test Authority in 10-minute intervals.

The Independent Test Authority shall use the data to verify the WTGs were operating normally during the postconstruction test period. For the purposes of this NMP, ‘operating normally’ is defined as sufficient WTGs being operating normally such that the predicted noise level at the Alternative Monitoring Location does not decrease by more than 0.5 dB from the predicted noise level for all WTGs operating normally.

5.5.4 Duration

Generally, monitoring at an Alternative Monitoring Location should occur for a minimum of six weeks or until 4,032 valid 10-minute data points are obtained, whichever is the lesser. If the Independent Test Authority deems a lesser duration appropriate, then this shall be justified in the assessment report.

5.5.5 Assessment

At an Alternative Monitoring Location, the Independent Test Authority shall analyse the measured post-construction noise levels in the same manner as for Section 5.4.5, with the exception that the Overall Measured Noise Level or Measured Noise Wind Farm Level shall be compared to the Alternative Monitoring Location noise criteria as defined in Section 4.2.

The Overall Measured Noise Level or Measured Wind Farm Noise Level, adjusted for any special audible characteristic penalties in accordance with Section 5.7.2, 5.7.3 and 5.7.4, will be compared to the applicable Alternative Monitoring Location noise criteria to determine if compliance has been achieved.

If compliance is achieved with the Alternative Monitoring Location noise criteria, then compliance shall be deemed to 23

be achieved with the noise limits applicable at the Noise-Sensitive Location(s) represented by that Alternative Monitoring Location. If compliance is not achieved with the Alternative Monitoring Location noise criteria such that it is predicted that the Noise Limits would be exceeded at one or more Noise-Sensitive Locations, and measurements at those Noise-Sensitive Locations do not demonstrate compliance with the applicable noise limits, then the Project will be deemed to exceed the applicable noise limits at those Noise-Sensitive Locations.

Attended on/off wind farm noise measurements

Instead of the Alternative Monitoring Location testing detailed in Section 5.5 of this NMP, the Independent Test Authority may elect to undertake attended on/off testing of the wind farm at a Noise-Sensitive Location. Generally, the Alternative Monitoring Location testing is preferred to the on/off testing due to practical difficulties associated with switching off a large wind farm. However, on/off testing is a compliance testing methodology allowed for under NZS 6808:2010 and may be employed if the Independent Test Authority deems it appropriate to do so.

In the event that attended on/off testing is undertaken, the following procedures shall be followed: • The Independent Test Authority shall select test locations that are representative of the relevant NoiseSensitive Locations. It is noted that attended on/off testing may be conducted at Alternative Monitoring Locations, rather than the Noise-Sensitive Locations themselves, if that is preferred.

• Unless other conditions are deemed appropriate by the Independent Test Authority, data shall be collected during the night time hours (10 pm to 7 am) at times when each test location is downwind of the wind farm. A wind direction spread of 45 degrees either side of the direct line between the nearest turbine and the test location is considered acceptable.

• LA90,10min noise measurements shall be taken concurrently with 10-minute average wind speed and direction measurements on the wind farm site covering, as a minimum, the wind speed range at which the wind farm noise is predicted to be closest to the applicable noise limit. If the wind farm noise is steady, such that the LA90 noise level over a shorter period is equivalent to that over a 10-minute period, then the Independent Test Authority may reduce the 10-minute noise measurement period.

• During the measurements, the wind farm shall be switched off to determine the noise level in the absence of the wind farm. The Independent Test Authority shall determine the appropriate timing of the on/off test procedure based on the wind speed forecast.

• A minimum of 12 ‘on’ and 12 ‘off’ measurement intervals shall be obtained.

• An objective assessment of Special Audible Characteristics shall be carried out in accordance with the procedures detailed in Section 5.7 and Appendix D. Following the collection of the measurements, the Independent Test Authority shall correct the ‘on’ measurements by the ‘off’ measurements to determine the Measured Wind Farm Noise Level.

The Measured Wind Farm Noise Level will be adjusted for any special audible characteristic penalties in accordance with Section 5.7.3 and compared to the Noise Limits, or Alternative Monitoring Location noise criteria if relevant, to determine if the wind farm noise level is in compliance with the Planning Permit requirements.

Special Audible Characteristics

NZS 6808:2010 requires that an assessment of Special Audible Characteristics be carried out as part of any postconstruction noise monitoring report. As defined by NZS 6808:2010, potential Special Audible Characteristics of wind farm noise that require assessment are tonality, impulsiveness and excessive amplitude modulation.

Objective assessment procedures for tonality and excessive amplitude modulation are specified by NZS 6808:2010 and discussed in Appendix D of this NMP. No objective assessment procedure for impulsiveness is specified by NZS 6808:2010.

5.7.1 Subjective assessment of Special Audible Characteristics

During any noise testing detailed in Section 5.4, the Independent Test Authority shall conduct a subjective assessment as to whether the wind farm noise contains one or more Special Audible Characteristics. The subjective assessments 24

will, at a minimum, be conducted on four occasions, with at least two of these occurring between 10 pm and 7 am.

The Independent Test Authority may conduct the subjective assessments on the basis of audio recordings collected during unattended monitoring.

5.7.2 Objective tests of Special Audible Characteristics

Objective tests of tonality and amplitude modulation shall be carried out at the locations detailed in Section 5.7 for the Post-Construction Noise Assessment Report. These objective assessments shall: • Include analysis over the critical time and wind direction subsets detailed in Table 4.2.

• Be conducted over the range of wind speeds from cut-in to rated power where these conditions occur under the particular subset being considered.

• Be conducted in accordance with the procedures detailed in Appendix D. It is noted that it may not be practical or possible to conduct objective assessment procedures at some NoiseSensitive Locations. For example, objective assessments of Special Audible Characteristics generally involve audio recording, which may not be permitted by all landowners. In the event that this occurs, an objective assessment may be taken at an alternative location that is representative of the Noise-Sensitive Location but where the predicted wind turbine noise level is no higher than that predicted at the relevant Noise-Sensitive Location. If this is not possible, the Independent Test Authority shall determine an appropriate alternative approach.

Additional objective tests of Special Audible Characteristics shall also be carried out as follows: • At any Noise-Sensitive Location in the event that a subjective assessment has identified a potential characteristic at that location.

• During any attended on/off testing as detailed in Section 5.6.

5.7.3 Application of penalties for Special Audible Characteristics

If one or more special audible characteristic is detected in a 10-minute period, then a penalty of up to +6 dB will be applied in accordance with NZS 6808:2010 and Appendix D. The penalty will not exceed 6 dB for any 10-minute period.

Where Special Audible Characteristics occur repeatedly under specific conditions (e.g. wind directions and/or times of day), the Independent Test Authority shall give consideration to separately assessing wind farm noise levels under those conditions in accordance with the procedures detailed in Section 5.4.5.

5.7.4 Special Audible Characteristics at Alternative Monitoring Locations

While it is possible to conduct Special Audible Characteristic assessments at Alternative Monitoring Locations, care must be taken in applying any penalties for special audible characteristics detected at Alternative Monitoring Locations when assessing compliance with the applicable noise criteria. Alternative Monitoring Locations are required to be selected to be at positions that are closer to the wind farm, and may have a lower background noise level, than the relevant Noise-Sensitive Location(s). As such, while it is reasonable to conclude that the lack of a Special Audible Characteristic at an Alternative Monitoring Location indicates no corresponding Special Audible Characteristic at the relevant Noise-Sensitive Location(s) represented by that Alternative Monitoring Location, it would be possible for a Special Audible Characteristic to be detected at an Alternative Monitoring Location that is not detectable at the relevant Noise-Sensitive Location(s).

Therefore, if one or more Special Audible Characteristics that attract a penalty are detected at an Alternative Monitoring Location, the Independent Test Authority shall determine and carry out an appropriate secondary test to assess whether the Special Audible Characteristic is also detected at the relevant Noise-Sensitive Location(s) represented by that Alternative Monitoring Location. Such a test may include: • Carrying out an objective assessment of the identified Special Audible Characteristic(s) at the nearest NoiseSensitive Location to the Alternative Monitoring Location.

• Where access may not be available to the Noise-Sensitive Location, carrying out an objective assessment of the identified Special Audible Characteristic(s) at a location that is in a similar area to the Noise-Sensitive 25

Location and where the predicted wind turbine noise level is equivalent (within 2 dB) of that at the NoiseSensitive Location.

Any such test should be carried out for the same conditions, including time of day, wind speed and wind direction, for which the Special Audible Characteristic was identified at the Alternative Monitoring Location. Note that the Overall Measured Noise Level and Measured Wind Farm Noise Level do not need to be determined as part of this test as that will have been determined at the Alternative Monitoring Location.

Ancillary infrastructure noise monitoring

Monitoring of noise generated by ancillary infrastructure shall be conducted in general accordance with the Noise Protocol. The monitoring shall occur at times at which noise generated by the ancillary infrastructure is expected to be at its highest level.

It is unlikely that noise from the ancillary infrastructure will be audible at Noise-Sensitive Locations under the majority of conditions. Therefore, it is anticipated that it will be necessary to use an alternative assessment location method as detailed within the Noise Protocol, which is similar to the use of an Alternative Monitoring Location for the assessment of wind farm noise. The Independent Test Authority shall ensure that the noise measurements from the ancillary infrastructure are not influenced by wind turbine noise.

Adjustments for noise character shall be applied, where relevant, as per the Noise Protocol.

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6 NEAR-FIELD COMPLIANCE TEST REPORT

The following requirements apply to the Near-Field Compliance Test Report required by Condition 20 of the Planning Permit.

Test locations

At a minimum, the Near-Field Compliance Test Report shall present test results for a minimum of four WTGs at the site. In the event of staging of the Project, this requirement shall apply to each stage.

The Independent Test Authority shall review the WTG layout, timing and noise predictions to determine appropriate WTG test locations with due consideration of: • testing representative WTGs as early in the commissioning program as is reasonable and practicable but ensuring timing and test locations minimise extraneous noise sources due to construction or installation activities • testing WTGs that are installed nearer to Noise-Sensitive Locations, particularly those with predicted noise levels that are closer to 40 dB LA90 • relevant requirements of IEC 61400-11:2012 for tested WTGs. The Independent Test Authority shall review available information prior to commencement of the near-field testing and determine if additional WTGs require testing.

Monitoring procedures

The near-field testing shall follow the procedures detailed in Section 5.3 of this NMP.

Assessment procedure 6.3.1 Sound power level

The Independent Test Authority shall review the near-field testing results to determine if the measured sound power level of the WTGs, less the measurement uncertainty, exceeds the assumed sound power level in the Pre-Construction Noise Assessment across the wind speed range from cut-in to rated power.

If an exceedance of the modelled sound power level in the Pre-Construction Noise Assessment is detected and exceeds 1 dB at any wind speed, then the Independent Test Authority shall assess the change in predicted noise levels at Noise-Sensitive Locations to determine if any exceedances of the wind farm noise limits are expected. In the event of a predicted exceedance, the Independent Test Authority shall determine mitigation measures, including the ability for the WTG supplier to rectify and retest the WTG(s), to be implemented upon commencement of operation of the Project to achieve compliance with the wind farm noise limits.

6.3.2 Tonal audibility

The Independent Test Authority shall review the tonal audibility results from the near-field testing to observe if any tones with an audibility of greater than 0 dB have been observed at any of the tested WTGs across the wind speed range from cut-in to rated power. A screening value of 0 dB has been adopted because: • It is consistent with the tonal audibility at which, if the tones were identified at a Noise-Sensitive Location, penalties would start to be applied as per Appendix D of this NMP. • It is the value at which IEC 61400-11:2012 advises that a tone becomes audible.

If a tone is detected with audibility greater than 0 dB, the Independent Test Authority shall advise on any additional tonality testing required, with the outcomes of this tonality testing to be provided as part of the Post-Construction Noise Assessment Report. Any such tonality testing shall be carried out in accordance with the methodologies detailed in this NMP including Appendix D. It is important to note that the detection of a tone in the near-field does not mean that tone will be audible at NoiseSensitive Locations and therefore a penalty shall not be applied to the Overall Measured Noise Levels or Measured 27

Wind Farm Noise Levels at any Noise-Sensitive Location unless confirmed as applicable in accordance with a Special Audible Characteristic Test conducted at a Noise-Sensitive Location in accordance with this NMP. This is because: • IEC 61400-11:2012 uses a different method to calculate tonal audibility to that required by ISO 1996-2:2017 3.

While the values determined using each method will be similar, they will not be identical.

• The absolute level of a tone will decrease at a Noise-Sensitive Location, and the audibility of that tone will depend on background noise at that location.

Similarly, it is also important to note that the detection of no tones in the near-field does not necessarily mean that there will be no audible tones at Noise-Sensitive Locations. This is because IEC 61400-11:2012 details procedures for assessing tonal audibility under downwind conditions and does not explicitly require the assessment of tonal audibility under non-downwind conditions.

Reporting requirements

The Near-Field Compliance Test Report shall include all information required by IEC 61400-11:2012. Additionally, the Report shall also detail: • The outcomes of the comparison between the measured and assumed sound power levels • The identification of any tones with audibility exceeding 0 dB. • Any additional testing required as part of the Post-Construction Noise Assessment Report resulting from the above.

Timing

The Near-Field Compliance Test Report shall be submitted to the Responsible Authority prior to the last WTG commencing operation.

3

ISO 1996-2:2007 Acoustics – Description, measurement and assessment of environmental noise – Part 2: Determination of environmental noise levels

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7 POST-CONSTRUCTION NOISE ASSESSMENT REPORT

The following requirements apply to the Post-Construction Noise Assessment Report(s), and associated postconstruction noise monitoring, required by Condition 20 of the Planning Permit. All post-construction noise monitoring and subsequent analysis shall be performed in accordance with the requirements set out in Section 5 and Section 6.

Test locations

At a minimum, and subject to landowner approval, the Post-Construction Noise Assessment Report shall detail a noise compliance assessment for Noise-Sensitive Locations detailed in Table 7.1. The relevant Stage of the wind farm for which each Noise-Sensitive Location is to be tested is also listed. Note that, in the event of changes to staging of the wind farm, the procedures detailed in Section 7.5 shall apply.

Table 7.1 - Post-construction noise monitoring locations

Test location H32 – a K27 – a O34 – a P24 – b P31 – a Q30 – a Q31 – o Q31 – p R20 – a R31 – ad U18 – a W28 – a AC18 – a AD23 – a AE25 – e R20 – a H32 – a P31 – c U18 – b

Noise source being assessed

Stage test location

Wind farm Wind farm Wind farm Wind farm Wind farm Wind farm Wind farm Wind farm Wind farm Wind farm Wind farm Wind farm Wind farm Wind farm Wind farm Geggies Road terminal station Corner of Gilletts Road and Colac - Ballarat Road collector station Boyles Road collector station Bells Road collector station

2 2 2 1 and 2 1 and 2 1 and 2 1 and 2 1 and 2 1 1 and 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 1

Objective special audible characteristic testing required 

 



Apply Noise Protocol procedures Apply Noise Protocol procedures Apply Noise Protocol procedures Apply Noise Protocol procedures

If permission is not granted to access a test location nominated in Table 7.1, then the Independent Test Authority shall consider an alternative location and shall document the reasons for selection of alternative locations in the PostConstruction Noise Assessment Report.

In the event that Alternative Monitoring Locations are used for reasons detailed in Section 5.5, the Alternative Monitoring Locations shall be selected to be representative of the Noise-Sensitive Locations identified above.

Monitoring and assessment procedures

The post-construction monitoring and assessment shall follow the noise monitoring procedures as detailed in Section 5.4, 5.5, 5.6 and 5.8 of this NMP as relevant to the testing being conducted.

Report requirements

Any Post-Construction Noise Assessment Report shall include all information required by NZS 6808:2010 and this NMP. 29

In accordance with Condition 24 of the Planning Permit, the report shall be accompanied by an environmental audit report prepared under Part IXD, Section 53V of the Environment Protection Act 1970 by an environmental auditor appointed under Part IXD of the Environment Protection Act 1970. The environmental audit report must verify that the acoustic assessment undertaken for the purpose of the Post-Construction Noise Assessment has been conducted in accordance with NZS 6808:2010.

Timing

Post-Construction Noise Assessment Reports shall be submitted to the Responsible Authority for each Stage of the Project: • Within 6 months of the first WTG commencing operation and every 12 months after the submission of the first report until the final WTG for the Stage is operating and the site is operating without any temporary constraints that may materially influence wind turbine noise levels.

• Within 6 months of the ancillary infrastructure commencing operation.

It is noted that a separate Post-Construction Noise Assessment Report may be submitted for the wind farm components and ancillary infrastructure components if deemed appropriate by the Independent Test Authority.

During periods of wind farm construction activities there may be an increase in extraneous noise at test locations which are not the result of WTG operation but related to construction works. In accordance with Section 1.8 of NZS 6808:2010, construction noise is not subject to the wind farm noise limits. During any periods of noise monitoring to assess wind farm noise levels while construction works are occurring, the Independent Test Authority shall ensure suitable steps are taken so that the results of the Post-Construction Noise Assessment are not materially impacted due to any increase in extraneous noise.

Staging of the Project

Post-Construction Noise Assessment Reports shall be prepared for each stage as per Section 7 of this NMP, In the event that the Project is constructed in stages that differ from the two stages shown in Figure 2.1, Figure 2.2 and Figure 2.3, then the Independent Test Authority shall determine the Noise-Sensitive Locations relevant to each Stage of the Project. At a minimum: • All test locations from Table 7.1 within the predicted 35 dB LA90 noise contour from the relevant Stage of the wind farm shall be considered for testing subject to landowner permission.

• Any test location from Table 7.1 that was tested for a previous Stage and at which a predicted increase in cumulative noise level of 0.5 dB or more as a result of the current Stage shall be considered for testing subject to landowner permission.

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8 NOISE INVESTIGATION REPORTS Complaint conditions

A Noise Investigation Report shall be prepared in the event that: • A formal complaint is received about noise from the site and a Noise Investigation Report is deemed necessary in accordance with the CIRP; and, • A potential non-compliance with the noise limits at a Noise Sensitive Location is identified; and, • The complainant must be the property owner or occupier, or someone submitting the complaint on the behalf of the property owner or occupier of the relevant Noise Sensitive Location.

Complaint response

GPWFM has prepared a CIRP that details the procedures and measures by which they will ensure complaints associated with the construction and operation of the Project are managed. Any Noise Investigation Reports arising from complaints shall have regard to the CIRP. Complaints regarding operational noise shall be managed in accordance with Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 10002:2014 – Guidelines for Complaint Management in Organisations as per the CIRP, with the following procedures adopted: • Prior to the commencement of construction, GPWFM shall contact nearby residents by mail to inform them about the construction process and the process for making a complaint.

• GPWFM shall appoint a principal contact person for community queries.

• GPWFM shall provide contact details through the project website, newsletters and site signage.

• GPWFM shall establish a Complaints Register to record all complaints in accordance with the complaint response procedure outlined below.

Complaint investigation, evaluation and response procedures

For the purposes of operational noise complaint evaluation where a Noise Investigation Report is required, the procedures detailed in the CIRP shall be followed, including confirmation that the complaint is valid and meets the requirements of CIRP and Section 8.1 of the Noise Management Plan. In addition, the following steps shall be followed (Response Procedure) as part of evaluation of the noise complaint in the prescribed order: 1. The details of the complaint shall be reviewed to determine if there are any reasons to believe that the noise complaint may be a result of a maintenance issue or change in operation of one or more WTGs near the complainant.

2. If the answer to Step 1 is yes and the issue can be identified and remedied, then the remedy shall be implemented as soon as reasonably practicable. The complainant shall be informed of the action and the timeframe required for the remedy.

3. If the answer to Step 1 is no and/or the issue cannot be identified or remedied, then an Independent Test Authority shall be appointed in accordance with Section 5.1 to investigate the noise complaint.

4. The Independent Test Authority shall review the details of the complaint and determine which of the following is required to respond to the complaint: a) Where a recent Post-Construction Noise Assessment Report (Section 7), Noise Investigation Report (Section 8) and/or Periodic Noise Monitoring Report (Section 11) exists that the Independent Test Authority deems to be representative for the Noise Sensitive Location from which the complaint has been received and there is no reason to believe noise emissions from the wind farm may have noticeably changed, then this may be taken as evidence that the wind farm complies with the noise limits. The Independent Test Authority shall detail their reasons for any such determination in the Noise Investigation Report. b) Where Step 4a does not apply, the Independent Test Authority shall develop a test procedure in accordance with one or more of the noise assessment methodologies detailed within this NMP to assess if the wind farm is operating in compliance with the Noise Limits at the Noise Sensitive Location from which the complaint was received. Given potential concerns around changes in background noise over time, the Independent Test Authority may consider Alternative Monitoring Locations (Section 5.5) and/or Attended On/Off Testing (Section 5.6). Where tests are performed at Alternative Monitoring Locations due to 31

concerns of changes in background noise over time, the Independent Test Authority shall ensure that the selected location is appropriate so that changes in background noise are adequately controlled in the noise test.

5. The appropriate approach determined by the Independent Test Authority shall be carried out as soon as is reasonably practicable.

Should a non-compliance with the wind farm noise limits or ancillary infrastructure noise limits be identified as a result of the Response Procedure, then a Noise Remediation Plan shall be prepared and implemented as per Section 9 of this NMP.

Report requirements

Noise Investigation Reports prepared in response to a complaint or identification of potential non-compliance shall include the following information, where relevant: • complainant name • applicable property reference number • complainant’s address • date of the incident • time of the incident • prevailing weather and operational conditions at the time of the incident • description of the complainant’s concerns, including the potential occurrence of Special Audible Characteristics • actions taken to resolve the complaint • findings and recommendations.

Where relevant, the Noise Investigation Report shall also include: • Any findings from the Response Procedure steps in Section 8.3.

• The results of any acoustic assessment conducted by the Independent Test Authority. Note that this would only be required if Step 3 of the Response Procedure is triggered.

• Any Noise Remediation Plan prepared to address a non-compliance.

If requested by the Responsible Authority, a Noise Investigation Report shall be accompanied by a report from an environmental auditor appointed under Part IXD of the Environment Protection Act 1970. The report must verify that the Noise Investigation Report meets the requirements of NZS 6808:2010 (and/or Noise Protocol if applicable) and the Planning Permit.

Timing

The CIRP details timing requirements with respect to the response to a complainant.

In the event that a Noise Investigation Report is deemed necessary, this should be completed no later than 14 weeks after the initiation of the process. This timeframe is expected to provide sufficient time to allow for noise monitoring to be completed. However, it is recognised that, depending on the nature of the noise investigation, it may be necessary to extend any monitoring timeframe to capture specific conditions. The timing of the monitoring shall be justified in the Noise Investigation Report.

Noise Investigation Reports involving noise monitoring and/or completion of a Noise Remediation Plan shall be submitted to the Responsible Authority upon completion. Other Noise Investigation Reports shall be kept on file and made available to the Responsible Authority upon request.

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9 NOISE REMEDIATION PLAN

A Noise Remediation Plan shall be prepared in the event that a non-compliance is identified with the noise limits. This may occur through: • a conclusion of non-compliance from the Post-Construction Noise Assessment Report • a conclusion of non-compliance resulting from an investigation in response to a complaint (Noise Investigation Report) • a non-compliance with the noise limits identified through any other means and confirmed by the Responsible Authority.

Report requirements

A Noise Remediation Plan shall be prepared by an independent, suitably experienced acoustic consultant and include the following information at a minimum: • The date on which GPWFM became aware of the non-compliance.

• The nature and level of the non-compliance, including the conditions under which it occurs.

• The proposed mitigation measures to be implemented at site, which may include: - derating or curtailment of one or more WTGs under specific conditions - alterations to the WTGs, e.g. to remove a special audible characteristic - works to ancillary infrastructure if this is the source of the non-compliance.

• In the event that alterations to the WTGs or other infrastructure are proposed but require further development and testing, details of proposed interim measures to be implemented on site to ensure compliance during this period. For example, interim curtailment of WTGs may be implemented to achieve compliance while a long-term solution is investigated.

• Evidence that the proposed mitigation measures or any interim mitigation measures have been implemented on site. For the purposes of the Noise Remediation Plan, this may involve review of operational WTG data (or similar) to verify that curtailment has been implemented rather than noise monitoring, as the noise monitoring results may need to be submitted at a later date depending on the nature of the exceedance.

• The requirements for any additional testing to demonstrate that the mitigation results in compliance being achieved with the noise limits and Planning Permit. Typically, this would involve submission of a new PostConstruction Noise Assessment Report. In the event that interim measures have been implemented, both the interim measures and any final measures shall be verified to achieve compliance with the Noise Limits and Planning Permit through additional testing.

• A timetable for implementation of the mitigation, testing and reporting to achieve and demonstrate compliance.

Any Noise Remediation Plan shall be accompanied by a peer review from an environmental auditor appointed under Part IXD of the Environment Protection Act 1970. The peer review must verify that the Noise Investigation Report meets the requirements of NZS 6808:2010 or the Noise Protocol (as applicable), and the Planning Permit.

Timing

Any Noise Remediation Plan, including peer review, shall be submitted to the Responsible Authority no later than six weeks after GPWFM become aware of a non-compliance with the noise limits.

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10 ANNUAL STATEMENTS

On or before 31 October each year following practical completion of the Project, or any Stage of the Project, an Annual Statement shall be prepared by GPWFM and submitted to EPA Victoria.

Each Annual Statement shall contain the following information for the previous financial year: • Details of any complaints concerning wind turbine noise received by GPWFM, including copies of completed Noise Investigation Reports prepared under Section 8 of this NMP. Where permission has not been received from complainants to share details of Noise Investigation Reports, these may be summarised or redacted as part of the Annual Statement.

• Either: - A statement from the wind turbine manufacturer which confirms that in their expert opinion the wind turbines have been appropriately maintained over the preceding 12-month period in accordance with the suggestion and requirements of the wind turbine manufacturer; or - Information on maintenance activities undertaken throughout the 12-month period on noise-generating components of the Project, including any unscheduled servicing events. This may include a register of activities such as blade repair, blade replacement, and the major component repairs or replacement within any WTG nacelle.

• Details of any noise remediation actions undertaken, including copies of completed Noise Remediation Plans prepared under Section 9 of this NMP. • If applicable, evidence that the Project has been operating in accordance with any constraints required for noise compliance. This would only apply if the Project had been subject to constraints as a result of a previous Noise Remediation Plan prepared under Section 9 of this NMP. The Annual Statement must include a statement of whether wind turbine noise complies with the applicable noise limits at Noise-Sensitive Locations and/or applicable noise criteria at Alternative Monitoring Locations. For the purposes of the Annual Statement, this would be fulfilled through reference to any Post-Construction Noise Assessment Report (Section 7 of this NMP) or Periodic Noise Monitoring Report (Section 11 of this NMP) that has been completed within the previous five financial years and determined compliance with the applicable noise limits and/or noise criteria.

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11 PERIODIC NOISE MONITORING REPORTS

Within three months of the fifth anniversary of practical completion of the first Stage of the Project, and every subsequent five years, GPWFM shall engage an Independent Test Authority to complete an assessment of noise compliance for the Project and submit this to EPA Victoria.

The Independent Test Authority appointed shall meet the requirements of Section 5.1, and shall conduct noise monitoring in general accordance with the requirements listed in Section 5 of this report, with the following key exceptions: • No near field WTG testing is required, such that Section 5.3 does not apply. The Independent Test Authority may conduct near field testing if deemed necessary for information for the assessment, but this is not a requirement of any Periodic Noise Monitoring Report.

• No ancillary infrastructure noise monitoring is required, such that Section 5.8 does not apply.

Additionally, noise monitoring does not need to be conducted at the test locations listed in Section 7.1, Given potential concerns around changes in background noise over time, the Independent Test Authority shall determine appropriate noise monitoring locations for assessing compliance as part of the periodic noise monitoring that may include Alternative Monitoring Locations (Section 5.5) and/or Attended On/Off Testing (Section 5.6). Where tests are performed at Alternative Monitoring Locations due to concerns of changes in background noise over time, the Independent Test Authority shall ensure that the selected location is appropriate so that changes in background noise are adequately controlled in the noise test.

The following minimum requirements shall be met: • A minimum of five monitoring locations shall be selected by the Independent Test Authority, with the locations selected to consider multiple directions from the Project. The Independent Test Authority shall justify the selection of the locations. The locations should be informed by the results of previous noise assessments for the Project to be representative of Noise-Sensitive Locations or Alternative Monitoring Locations where the wind turbine noise levels are expected to be closest to the applicable noise limits or noise criteria.

• A minimum of one monitoring location shall be selected for an assessment of Special Audible Characteristics as per Section 5.7. The Independent Test Authority shall justify the selection of the location(s).

The Periodic Noise Monitoring Reports shall be prepared in accordance with the Regulations, including all information required by NZS 6808:2010. It is noted that the Periodic Noise Monitoring Reports are not subject to the PostConstruction Noise Assessment Report requirements listed in Section 7. As required by the Regulations, the report shall be accompanied by an environmental audit report prepared under regulation 164(ca)(ii) of the Environment Protection Regulations.

All Periodic Noise Monitoring Reports and the associated audit report shall be provided to EPA Victoria.

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12 APPENDICES

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Appendix A – Consultation in preparation of this NMP Consultation on V02-01

A draft version of the NMP was released for community consultation in 2019 (V02-01 dated 31 October 2019).

Comments were received from one submitter, with responses provided below. It is noted that further consultation is planned for this updated version of the NMP. The comments and responses are provided below: Comment

Response

It appears that this is a very early stage draft plan merely provided to fulfil the Condition 25 requirement. Referring to maps that are not included, known dwellings absent, not peer reviewed etc etc.

Near Field Testing – The concept of building something, and then testing to see if it is acceptable, is against the whole idea of Planning and reasoning of NZS6808.

V02-01 was an early version released for consultation prior to the finalisation of turbine locations and details. That information is provided in the current version.

The Near Field Testing is required under Condition 20 of the Planning Permit. It is important to recognise that it is only one aspect of the noise compliance assessment process for the Golden Plains Wind Farm that also includes: • The Pre-Construction Noise Assessment: a predictive report that will be required to demonstrate that predicted noise levels from the wind farm and ancillary infrastructure comply with the applicable noise limits. The Pre-Construction Noise Assessment will be based on technical information supplied by the wind turbine manufacturer about the noise emissions from their wind turbines. As required by Condition 18, this must be submitted and approved before development starts.

• The Post-Construction Noise Assessment: a report that assesses, based on measurements, whether or not the wind farm is complying with the applicable noise limits at noise-sensitive land uses once it has commenced operation.

The Near Field Testing is considered important for this project because: • The Pre-Construction Noise Assessment will include technical information supplied by the wind turbine manufacturer and the Near Field Testing will be able to verify that the installed turbines are operating in accordance with that technical information. In the unexpected event of higher noise levels from the installed turbines, the Near Field Testing results can be used to determine whether additional measurements are required at or near noise-sensitive locations to assess compliance with the applicable noise limits.

• It can provide information on the noise levels from the site more quickly than the Post-Construction Noise Assessment. Near Field Testing can commence as soon as wind turbines are generating and the test procedure, while dependent on wind conditions at the site, generally takes no more than 48 hours, allowing analysis of the data after a relatively short timeframe. In contrast, the measurement procedure for the Post-Construction Noise Assessment requires multiple weeks of data prior to analysing the data and, subject to the timing requirements of the Planning Permit, would normally only commence once most or all of the turbines at the site are operational.

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Comment

Response

Serious concerns regarding lack of noise monitoring post construction.

A total of 15 noise-sensitive locations, including 12 for Stage 1, have been identified for post-construction testing of wind farm noise within the NMP, selected based on their geographical spread around the wind farm and as they are predicted to have the highest wind farm noise levels in different areas around the site. The locations have been selected with review and input from the independent environmental auditor.

If the Near Field Testing determines that wind turbine noise levels are higher than was originally stated by the turbine supplier, then the NMP requires that additional testing be considered.

Absence of a clear process/plan for what the consequences will be when the project is noncompliant

In addition to the above, noise levels from ancillary infrastructure will need to be assessed for compliance with the EPA Victoria Noise Protocol at the closest noisesensitive location.

Section 9 of the Draft NMP details the requirements for any Noise Remediation Plan that must be submitted to the Responsible Authority in the event of a noncompliance being detected.

The Draft NMP requires that any Noise Remediation Plan be prepared by an independent, suitably experienced acoustic consultant and detail, amongst other things: • The date on which the wind farm operator became aware of the noncompliance.

• Proposed mitigation measures to be implemented at the site to achieve compliance.

• Evidence that those proposed mitigation measures to achieve compliance have been implemented at the site.

• Requirements for additional noise testing to demonstrate compliance.

The Noise Remediation Plan must be submitted to the Responsible Authority no later than six weeks after the date on which the wind farm operator became aware of the non-compliance and must be accompanied by a peer review from an independent environmental auditor. Considering this and the need for evidence to be provided in the document, the mitigation measures to achieve compliance will need to have been implemented well before this six-week date.

It is important to note that, in the event of a non-compliance, the nature of the mitigation measures will depend on the nature of the non-compliance and it is therefore not possible to detail those measures in the NMP. In some cases, the preferred mitigation measure may take time to develop and/or procure and would therefore take longer than six weeks. The Draft NMP addresses the potential for this by requiring interim mitigation measures to be implemented while this process occurs, to ensure that compliance is achieved in the interim. These interim measures would be anticipated to involve curtailment of individual or multiple turbines to achieve the necessary noise reduction, an option which is readily available as part of modern wind turbine control systems.

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Appendix B – Peer review of this NMP TO BE COMPLETED

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Appendix C – WTG and receiver locations WTG coordinates

Table 12.1 - WTG layout coordinates as WGS UTM Zone 54S

WTG ID WTG001 WTG002 WTG003 WTG004 WTG005 WTG006 WTG007 WTG008 WTG009 WTG010 WTG011 WTG012 WTG013 WTG014 WTG015 WTG016 WTG017 WTG018 WTG019 WTG020 WTG021 WTG022 WTG023 WTG024 WTG025 WTG026 WTG027 WTG028 WTG029 WTG030 WTG031 WTG065 WTG066 WTG067 WTG068 WTG069 WTG070 WTG071 WTG072 WTG073 WTG074 WTG075 WTG076 WTG077 WTG078 WTG079

Easting 728573 729140 729152 729142 729594 729668 729652 729618 729911 730055 729925 730448 730506 730077 730359 730502 730548 730227 730950 731233 730944 730735 731107 731049 731284 731276 731265 730292 731431 731421 731437 734011 734098 734232 734605 734357 736324 734478 734569 734579 734601 734752 735064 735083 735151 735367

Northing 5804228 5804624 5803805 5805578 5805022 5804423 5803732 5806018 5805438 5802579 5806482 5806215 5803989 5801901 5804681 5805215 5807366 5806921 5803214 5803689 5801750 5802458 5805954 5804994 5800681 5800095 5806450 5803485 5801260 5807220 5799551 5799324 5803605 5797856 5801928 5800123 5803127 5800796 5799380 5797024 5803406 5797609 5797151 5800173 5803475 5801566

WTG ID WTG032 WTG033 WTG034 WTG035 WTG036 WTG037 WTG038 WTG039 WTG040 WTG041 WTG042 WTG043 WTG044 WTG045 WTG046 WTG047 WTG048 WTG049 WTG050 WTG051 WTG052 WTG053 WTG054 WTG056 WTG057 WTG058 WTG059 WTG060 WTG061 WTG062 WTG064 WTG098 WTG099 WTG100 WTG101 WTG102 WTG103 WTG104 WTG105 WTG106 WTG107 WTG108 WTG109 WTG110 WTG111 WTG112

Easting 731538 731523 731717 731872 731314 731984 732105 732107 732173 732409 732159 732277 732197 732500 732605 733749 732691 732715 732780 732884 732905 733119 733165 733331 733369 733407 733574 733482 733670 734178 734005 737585 737621 737812 738035 738181 738179 738345 738480 738571 738607 738928 739018 739250 739173 739197

Northing 5802015 5805139 5800352 5799816 5804302 5798751 5799295 5803861 5801533 5806935 5805035 5806250 5804374 5798741 5799354 5801235 5799867 5805712 5806458 5805071 5804118 5799424 5806059 5800134 5804438 5798787 5800651 5805112 5805626 5801578 5804301 5798434 5799682 5797380 5796813 5797741 5798983 5796341 5798374 5796958 5799257 5795373 5794481 5799325 5795948 5798745 40

WTG ID WTG080 WTG081 WTG082 WTG083 WTG084 WTG085 WTG086 WTG087 WTG088 WTG089 WTG090 WTG091 WTG092 WTG093 WTG094 WTG095 WTG096 WTG097 WTG131 WTG132 WTG133 WTG134 WTG135 WTG136 WTG137 WTG138 WTG139 WTG140 WTG141 WTG142 WTG143 WTG144 WTG145 WTG146 WTG147 WTG148 WTG149 WTG150 WTG151 WTG152 WTG153 WTG154 WTG155 WTG156 WTG157 WTG158 WTG159 WTG160 WTG161 WTG162

Easting 735428 735571 735612 735771 735792 735795 735900 735911 735913 736156 736275 736303 736952 736703 736796 736603 737421 737531 741151 741234 741318 741373 741556 741668 741692 741763 741890 741892 741580 742024 742048 742263 742384 742430 742531 742537 742553 742752 742717 742978 743030 743032 743070 743162 743091 743343 743374 743386 743290 743397

Northing 5800989 5797531 5803684 5799337 5802171 5800004 5798769 5797893 5802745 5801512 5797142 5799811 5798397 5799033 5799967 5797799 5796918 5799092 5794143 5796295 5800150 5795737 5798769 5796990 5799663 5800628 5794055 5792921 5793465 5798974 5796289 5794778 5796988 5794137 5798242 5792850 5798872 5797444 5795499 5794887 5792791 5796204 5793467 5796841 5798428 5789093 5795450 5794099 5797844 5788550

WTG ID WTG113 WTG114 WTG115 WTG116 WTG117 WTG118 WTG119 WTG120 WTG121 WTG122 WTG123 WTG124 WTG125 WTG126 WTG127 WTG128 WTG129 WTG130 WTG164 WTG165 WTG166 WTG167 WTG168 WTG169 WTG170 WTG171 WTG172 WTG173 WTG174 WTG175 WTG176 WTG177 WTG178 WTG179 WTG180 WTG181 WTG182 WTG183 WTG184 WTG185 WTG186 WTG187 WTG188 WTG189 WTG190 WTG191 WTG192 WTG193 WTG194 WTG195

Easting 739628 739777 739873 740004 740015 740094 740093 740250 740323 740703 740592 740625 740438 740703 740814 740860 741214 741014 743563 743691 743718 743863 744038 743910 744031 744177 744249 744252 744634 744673 744609 744611 744769 745084 745191 745106 745286 745299 745556 745601 745752 745890 745897 745921 746052 746059 746315 746435 746949 746665

Northing 5794893 5799925 5796901 5799325 5794428 5798140 5797433 5800102 5798812 5800557 5793835 5794588 5795137 5796599 5799874 5793194 5800761 5799230 5797329 5789488 5796079 5794699 5789006 5788436 5796684 5789614 5792765 5793336 5788942 5789513 5796010 5793750 5792707 5789201 5794463 5796496 5793646 5792734 5795088 5795990 5796849 5795480 5794461 5792760 5793622 5796243 5796726 5793018 5794811 5793576 41

WTG ID WTG163 WTG197 WTG198 WTG199 WTG200 WTG201 WTG202 WTG203 WTG204 WTG205 WTG206 WTG207

Easting 743538 747208 747038 747584 747420 747626 747814 747638 748114 748108 747996 748288

Northing 5792731 5792803 5794081 5794858 5793402 5794063 5792850 5795478 5794900 5794213 5793519 5793036

WTG ID WTG196 WTG208 WTG209 WTG210 WTG211 WTG212 WTG213 WTG214 WTG215 WTG216 WTG217

Easting 747046 748481 748611 748732 748857 749161 749222 749238 750170 750659 750618

Northing 5795768 5795331 5794145 5794771 5793608 5795217 5794664 5794071 5790441 5790531 5791156

Stakeholder?

No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No

Relevant to Stage 1? 4 No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes No No No No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Table 12.2 - Noise-Sensitive Location coordinates as WGS UTM Zone 54S

Location F35 - a G30 - a H28 - a H30 - a H32 - a H38 - a K27 - a L26 - a M35 - b M37 - a N25 - a N25 - b O24 - a O34 - a O34 - b P24 - a P24 - b P31 - a P31 - c P32. - a Q30 - a Q31 - a Q31 - b Q31 - c Q31 - e Q31 - f Q31 - g Q31 - h Q31 - i Q31 - j Q31 - k Q31 - l Q31 - m 4

Easting 727236 728994 729859 729369 729073 729116 732346 733373 734679 734049 735734 735596 736740 736250 736303 737032 737293 737563 737462 737308 738605 738592 738434 738632 738967 738733 738785 738828 738852 738886 738901 738922 738791

Northing 5805534 5800930 5798327 5800291 5802087 5808096 5797615 5796960 5805841 5807888 5795678 5795705 5794684 5804496 5804484 5794683 5794965 5801100 5801204 5802776 5800832 5801449 5801699 5801871 5801890 5801881 5801858 5801838 5801805 5801813 5801800 5801794 5801735

Refers to whether the predicted noise level from Stage 1 is at or above 35.0 dB

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Location Q31 - o Q31 - p Q32 - a Q32 - b Q32 - c Q32 - d Q32 - e Q32 - f Q32 - g R31 - aa R31 - ab R31 - ad R31 - ae R31 - af R31 - ai R31 - aj R31 - ak R31 - al R31 - am R31 - an R31 - ao R31 - ap R31 - aq R31 - ar R31 - as R31 - at R31 - av R31 - aw R31 - ax R31 - az R31 - b R31 - ba R31 - bb R31 - bc R31 - bd R31 - be R31 - bf R31 - c R31 - d R31 - f R31 - g R31 - h R31 - j R31 - k R31 - n R31 - q R31 - r R31 - s R31 - t R31 - u

Easting 738965 738735 738225 738341 738402 738354 738723 738594 738769 739526 739349 739669 739387 739374 739170 739146 739292 739182 739182 739132 739070 739420 739450 739402 739355 739367 739382 739370 739294 739497 739620 739575 739227 739220 739214 739427 739096 739104 739706 739045 739245 739254 739397 739370 739324 739009 739050 739122 739160 739179

Northing 5801387 5801410 5802138 5802115 5802176 5802214 5802232 5802128 5802008 5801566 5801407 5801376 5801377 5801396 5801275 5801363 5801418 5801416 5801499 5801532 5801564 5801443 5801493 5801462 5801496 5801474 5801528 5801553 5801500 5801582 5801552 5801533 5801576 5801563 5801548 5801190 5801908 5801611 5801597 5801510 5801523 5801555 5801638 5801644 5801676 5801990 5801658 5801682 5801671 5801657

Stakeholder?

No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No

Relevant to Stage 1? 4 Yes Yes No No No No No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes 43

Location R31 - v R31 - w R31 - z R32 - a R32 - b R32 - c R32 - d R32 - e T32 - b U18 - a U18 - b U18 - c U31 - a V30 - a W17 - a W27 - i W28 - a X18 - a Y28 - a Y28 - b Z28 - a AA27 - a AA27 - b AC22 - a

Easting 739202 739214 739198 739051 739072 739059 739014 739971 741355 742345 742149 742105 742715 743058 744971 744847 744889 745581 746420 746653 747222 748944 748226 750874

Northing 5801649 5801639 5801563 5802266 5802112 5802044 5802017 5802442 5802435 5788139 5788761 5788742 5801859 5800426 5787817 5797923 5798050 5788298 5798391 5798644 5798153 5797036 5797449 5792218

Stakeholder?

No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No

Relevant to Stage 1? 4 Yes Yes Yes No No No No No No Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

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Appendix D – Objective assessment procedures for Special Audible Characteristics Objective test procedures for Special Audible Characteristics are detailed below.

Tonality

Appendix B2 of NZS 6808:2010 recommends assessing tonality using the method in Annex C of ISO 1996-2:2007 5, which has since been superseded by ISO 1996-2:2017. As ISO 1996-2:2017 was in place at the time of the Planning Permit Application for the Project, this is considered the relevant method for the assessment of tonality.

For each 10-minute data point captured for an objective assessment, the tonal audibility of any tones shall be calculated in accordance with Annex J of ISO 1996-2:2017, which makes reference to ISO / PAS 20065. If any tone is determined to be a result of the wind farm, then a penalty determined in accordance with Table J.1 of ISO 19962:2017 shall apply to the 10-minute interval in which the tone occurred.

Table 12.3 - Tonal audibility and associated penalty as per ISO 1996-2:2017

Tonal audibility, ΔL dB ΔL ≤ 0 0 < ΔL ≤ 2 2 < ΔL ≤ 4 4 < ΔL ≤ 6 6 < ΔL ≤ 8 8 < ΔL ≤ 10 12 < ΔL

Penalty, dB 0 1 2 3 4 5 6

‘

It is noted that many extraneous tones are likely to be detected at measurement locations. The Independent Test Authority shall, if required, be able to detect tones associated with wind farm operation through appropriate methods such as near field filtering (e.g. filtering the results based on frequencies determined during near field testing of the WTGs) or by listening to audio recordings of detected tones. Extraneous tones that the Independent Test Authority determines are not a result of wind farm operation shall not result in application of a penalty.

Amplitude modulation assessment

NZS 6808:2010 specifies an interim method for the objective assessment of amplitude modulation but notes that appropriate objective methods will be developed in the future to replace this interim method. This occurred in 2016, when the UK Institute of Acoustics developed a methodology for rating amplitude modulation in wind turbine noise and the UK Department of Energy & Climate Change advised on recommended penalties associated with the rating.

For each 10-minute data point captured for an objective assessment at a measurement location, the amplitude modulation shall be assessed in accordance with the procedures detailed in the UK Institute of Acoustics Reference Method as detailed in the IOA Noise Working Group (Wind Turbine Noise) Final Report A Method for Rating Amplitude Modulation in Wind Turbine Noise, dated 9 August 2016. Penalties for any detected amplitude modulation shall be applied to each 10-minute period in accordance with the Wind Turbine AM Review Phase 2 Report prepared for the UK Department of Energy & Climate Change in August 2016.

It is noted that extraneous sources of amplitude modulation may be detected at measurement locations. The Independent Test Authority shall, if required, be able to apply methods to determine if amplitude modulation is a result of wind farm operation or extraneous sources. Extraneous amplitude modulation events that the Independent Test Authority determines are not a result of wind farm operation shall not result in application of a penalty.

ISO 1996-2:2007 Acoustics – Description, measurement and assessment of environmental noise – Part 2: Determination of environmental noise levels

5

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Impulsiveness

NZS 6808:2010 does not advise on a suitable objective assessment methodology for impulsiveness. Therefore, reference shall be made to the impulsiveness assessment methodology detailed in Annex E of British Standard BS 4142:2014. Annex E of BS 4142 also advise on a suitable penalty (adjustment) based on the detected impulsiveness.

For each 10-minute data point captured for an objective assessment at a measurement location, the impulsiveness shall be assessed in accordance with BS 4142:2014 and, where relevant, a penalty applied to the 10-minute data point as recommended by BS 4142:2014 6.

It is noted that extraneous sources of impulsiveness may be detected at measurement locations. The Independent Test Authority shall, if required, be able to apply methods to determine if impulsiveness is a result of wind farm operation or extraneous sources. Extraneous impulsive events that the Independent Test Authority determines are not a result of wind farm operation shall not result in application of a penalty.

Overall penalty

The penalty for any 10-minute data point shall be the sum of the applicable penalties for tonality, amplitude modulation and impulsiveness up to a maximum penalty of 6 dB. The penalty due to tonality, amplitude modulation and impulsiveness shall be based on test data recorded at Noise Sensitive Locations, or alternative locations which are expected (by the Independent Test Authority) to have an equivalent level of Special Audible Characteristics.

6

BS 4142:2014 Methods for rating and assessing industrial and commercial sound.

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