Wind farm noise - Revised draft Standard available now for public comment
Standards New Zealand has released for public comment a draft Standard DZ 6808 Acoustics – Wind farm noise. The purpose of this Standard is to provide suitable methods for the prediction, measurement and assessment of sound from wind turbines for use in both wind farm development and local authority planning procedures. This Standard also provides guidance on the limits of acceptability for sound received at noise sensitive locations emitted from wind farms containing one or more wind turbines.
DZ 6808 is a revision of NZS 6808:1998 Acoustics – The assessment and measurement of sound from wind turbine generators. The 1998 version was written prior to significant wind farm development in New Zealand. The basic methodology proved robust, but experience and research over the following decade brought to light numerous refinements and enhancements which are now addressed in the revised draft.
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Land development and subdivision engineering – amendments underway
Standards New Zealand will soon start work on an amendment to NZS 4404:2004, which specifies design requirements for Land development and subdivision engineering. This Standard provides the basis for technical compliance for the subdivision and development of land, where these activities are subject to the Resource Management Act 1991, for those territorial authorities who wish to adopt the Standard or parts of it.
NZS 4404 was first published in 1981 and revised in 2004, to provide guidance to achieve effective engineering design and construction in the subdivision of land. The amendment will update the technical content and allow the adoption of the Standard by territorial authorities. The duration of the project will be approximately 15 months.
Hazardscape scoping project
Standards New Zealand completed a Hazardscape scoping report on a Hazardscape Standards strategy, in January 2009. The report, funded by the Earthquake Commission, outlines the findings of a Governance Group set up by Standards New Zealand. The Governance Group provides leadership and guidance on a strategy to address the 17 significant hazards facing New Zealand. These hazards were identified in the National Hazardscape Report, 2007, published by the Officials Committee for Domestic and External Security Co-ordination, through the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
The Governance Group recommended that before Standards were considered for each of the 17 significant hazards; a Generic Hazard Standard should be developed, incorporating principles and other common features that would provide guidance and a consistent approach to the development of hazard-specific Standards.
Standards New Zealand has already published Managing flood risk – A process Standard, NZS 9401:2008, which provides a risk-based approach for the comprehensive management of flood risk. Flood was one of the 17 significant risks identified in the National Hazardscape Report.
Standards New Zealand is in the process of preparing a project proposal and plan, as well as securing funding, for the development of the Generic Hazard Standard.
New projects
Standards New Zealand is starting the following new projects in 2009:
- Revision of NZS 5826 – Pool water quality
- New guidelines for councils engaging volunteers.
Please contact Angela Henderson at Standards New Zealand for more information: angela.henderson@standards.co.nz