Operational noise at-property treatment installations kick off
Last month, we started installing at-property noise mitigation treatments at residences along the Narrabri to North Star Phase 1 section. At time of writing, we finished work at 10 of 40 properties identified as requiring treatment.
December 19, 2024
A condition of approval from the NSW Government Planning Minister, these property treatments will protect indoor amenity from additional noise when the full Inland Rail alignment becomes operational and train movements on the rail line increase.
Bellata resident Mark Antiss is one property owner whose home was identified to receive noise mitigation treatment, and he was impressed with the work.
Work on Mark’s home included upgrading windows and doors facing the rail line and installing two new ceiling fans.
The 10.38mm thick glazed windows and acoustic seals to the existing doors will insulate Mark’s home from any increased train noise, while the large ceiling fans will help cool things down when doors and windows must be closed due to the predicted noise.
“The painter we had here was so pedantic, it was so good. Everyone was very polite, and they go out of their way for you,” Mark said.
Property types qualifying for treatment include residential dwellings, a school, a police station, the Croppa Creek Bowling Club and North Star Sporting Club. A total of 236 windows and 44 doors will be upgraded, 129 ceiling fans provided and 14 properties will be fitted with air conditioning as part of the property treatment works.
Caption: Bellata resident Mark Antiss in front of his newly installed upgraded window
At-property treatments are identified for individual dwellings which exceed predicted noise level triggers set by the NSW Environment Protection Authority’s (EPA) Rail Infrastructure Noise Guideline. To learn more about these visit the NSW Environment Protection Authority website.
At-property treatments can include upgraded property facades (i.e. new windows, doors, seals) or treatments to a property’s sub floor. Treatments are determined based on the level of noise exceedance, the type of property (e.g. brick veneer, weatherboard) and property owner treatment preferences.
PKN Constructions, the contractor installing these property treatments, is based in Coffs Harbour and services the NSW Mid-North Coast and regional New South Wales.
Around 11 staff are delivering the Phase 1 property treatment works.
In addition, PKN Constructions also employs several regional subcontractors including Piggott Electrical and Faircloth & Reynolds to install mechanical ventilation systems – spreading the economic and employment benefits of Inland Rail far and wide beyond the rail corridor.
The property treatment works are expected to be complete by 30 June 2025. Major construction on the Phase 1 section concluded in October 2023. View the project summary by visiting the Inland Rail website.
Caption: The finished upgrades at Mark’s Bellata home.
