White Bay Cruise Terminal Noise mitigation strategy

Noise mitigation strategy:
White Bay Cruise Terminal and White Bay 4

A noise mitigation strategy has been developed to address the ongoing issue of noise from cruise ships at White Bay Cruise Terminal and is being expanded to include White Bay berth 4.

The original strategy was prepared in consultation with the community, local council and key government agencies. The comments and feedback on the proposed strategy were sought and compiled in the Submissions Report.

The strategy includes a suite of initiatives that aim to minimise the impact of cruise ships on the local community. The strategy has been designed to address noise at the receiver (homes) as well as noise at the source (cruise ships).

Port Authority of NSW has been providing acoustic treatments to eligible properties near White Bay Cruise Terminal and White Bay 4 under the Noise Attenuation Program.

The focus of the first round of the Noise Attenuation Program, which commenced in October 2018, was on White Bay Cruise Terminal (berth 5). As of January 2020, the Noise Attenuation Program was expanded to include residences in the vicinity of White Bay berth 4 where noise modelling indicates that average noise levels from ships reaches or exceeds 55 decibels at night.

Fact sheets about the key elements of the strategy are available below:

Eligible properties have been contacted by Port Authority and the acceptance into the program is now complete. Other Properties may still apply to Port Authority to have their property considered for attenuation. Properties and eligibility will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Further information:

Noise Impact Mitigation Strategy Report (November 2017) – the noise mitigation strategy report has been updated to respond to stakeholder feedback. This document is an independent consultant’s noise report undertaken on behalf of Port Authority to determine the most appropriate solutions to address cruise ship noise at White Bay Cruise Terminal.
White Bay 4 and 5 Attenuation [Assessment Report] (June 2019) – this document updates the findings of the above report in terms of residences eligible for attenuation at White Bay berths 4 & 5.
Operational Noise Management Plan – this document has been updated to reflect the key elements of the Noise Mitigation Strategy, and address stakeholder/agency feedback.
Noise Restriction Policy – this policy has been updated in response to feedback and applies to all cruise vessels at berthed White Bay Cruise Terminal. It is effective as of 1 October 2018. A list of non-compliances with the policy is available here.
Port Authority updated Complaints Process for White Bay Cruise Terminal.
Noise monitoring will be occurring and the monthly reports will be available here.