Noise Management at Port Nelson

The Nelson Resource Management Plan (NRMP) defines port noise as:

“noise generated within the Port Industrial Area and includes:

• noise emanating from ships and boats at berth; and
• noise associated with the handling of cargo; and
• noise from trucks and machinery; and
• noise from administrative, repair, storage and maintenance activities

but excludes:

• noise from ships and boats not at berth; and
• noise associated with construction of permanent Port Industrial Area facilities; and
• noise from an emergency situation; and
• noise from vehicles on public roads”.

The NRMP has specific provisions to regulate noise generated from within the Port Industrial Area. Rule INr.40.1 states that the generation of noise in this area is permitted, provided the requirements of Appendix 29 are met. This appendix contains a comprehensive set of detailed provisions that relate to matters such as:

• Port Nelson Limited (PNL) must develop, and operate in accordance with, a Port Noise Management Plan (NMP) to control and manage the effects of port noise. The NMP’s primary goal is to minimise noise from port operations while maintaining effective port services for the region.
• PNL must monitor and report port noise, in accordance with specified procedures.
• PNL must develop and implement a Port Noise Mitigation Plan. This includes a requirement for PNL to support acoustic treatment for noise affected properties if certain criteria are met.
• The establishment and ongoing operation of a Port Noise Liaison Committee (PNLC) made up of three community representatives, three members from PNL, and an independent Chair. PNLC provides a formal way for community members to contribute to noise management decisions and help identify the best practical solutions for reducing port noise.

The Port operates 24 hours a day. Appendix 29 of the NRMP contains provisions relating to port noise, including specific provisions for ‘nighttime’ (i.e., between the hours of 10pm-7am).

Because the port operates close to the Port Hills neighbourhood, residents may sometimes experience noise from port activities.

Port Nelson uses a three-part approach to reduce noise:

1. A Noise Management Plan that outlines how the port will manage and minimise noise from its activities;
2. A Noise Mitigation Plan that commits to soundproofing homes affected by port noise; and
3. A Port Noise Liaison Committee that inputs into the implementation of these plans and makes sure the port knows about neighbours' noise concerns.

For nighttime operations, the Noise Management Plan describes steps taken to reduce noise at night. This includes limiting non-essential activities, training staff on quiet nighttime practices, and replacing loud equipment with quieter alternatives.

For more information, see the full Noise Management Plan and the Noise Mitigation Plan here: Living near the Port.

In simple terms a significant noise event is generally a ‘bang or a clang’ that might come from a dropped container rather than a prolonged noise that might come from a motor or generator.

A ‘significant noise event’ is an event which is recorded exceeding 85dBA Lmax within the 65dBA contour on the Port Noise Contour Map, which can be found at Living near the Port.

If a significant noise event is recorded, PNL will follow the investigative procedures set out in the Port Noise Management Plan.

Householders in existing ‘noise-affected properties’ are able to access assistance from Port Nelson to insulate their home to reduce the effects of port noise. Eligible houses are determined by the noise contours and confirmed by an individual acoustic inspection. Worst affected houses are offered 100% of costs or a property purchase. Others are offered a proportion of the costs, or advice on noise management, depending on what noise contour the property falls within.

For further information please see Port Nelson’s Living near the Port webpage. Alternatively, you can contact any of the community representatives who sit on the PNLC if you would like to discuss port noise or the role of committee. Further information about the PNLC and community reps can be found here.

To make a noise complaint please visit Living near the Port and fill out the attached form. The form requests the relevant information needed to log a complaint, namely the date and time of the event, as well as contact information for follow-up discussion.

You can also make a complaint to Council, as the regulator, via enquiry@ncc.govt.nz or calling 03 546 0200. Port Nelson and NCC advise each other of complaints received regardless of how it is sent in.

When a complaint is made to NCC regarding Port Noise, it is received and investigated by one of Council’s Compliance Officers. The officer investigating the complaint will typically contact the Port to see if they’re aware of anything that meets what the customer has described in their complaint. This results in the Port investigating against their data / recordings from the time period stated within the complaint. Council Compliance Officer’s will then determine the next appropriate course of action. Customers are kept informed throughout the process.

Complaints made directly to the Port go through a similar investigative process. The Port keeps NCC informed throughout this period. For more information about how the Port handles noise complaints please visit the Port's website for further information.

Port Nelson’s obligations associated with the acoustic treatment of noise affected properties are set out in the Port Noise Mitigation Plan (which is required under Appendix 29.B of the NRMP).

As part of this, a noise contour map identifies noise levels by location and the level of noise that can be expected at properties within the noise contours. If the Port is then shown to be exceeding the specified noise levels at certain properties, then the Port may need to support acoustic treatment of those properties.

The Port offers owners of homes most affected by port noise the opportunity to help reduce the impact of noise inside their homes. Eligible houses are determined by the noise contours and confirmed by an acoustic inspection. Where internal noise to habitable spaces is above specified levels, the port funds acoustic insulation. Alternatively, there is also the option for the Port to buy homes that are most affected.

Work to acoustically treat houses to reduce noise is undertaken by the Port with awareness from PNLC.

There is a separate process for the one off louder ‘bangs and clangs’ if they exceed a specified level. The Port needs to identify the source and the actions that could help to prevent this happening again.