Managing Port Noise - Experience with the New Zealand Port Noise Standard

This paper looks at recent experience in applying The NZ Port Noise Standard 1999. The Standard was developed to address 'reverse sensitivity' issues arising from the close proximity between ports and nearby residential areas. Application of the standard requires a high level of co-operation between city councils (responsible for land use planning) and regional councils (responsible for planning and management of the coastal marine area), as well as prediction of port activities into the future and relatively sophisticated noise modeling. Resource Management Act processes mean that application of the standard is subject to rigorous evaluation through including port noise boundaries in district and regional plans. This paper outlines the background to and content of the Standard, how well it is faring in practice, and gives some examples of success and failures in its implementation.