Mod 3 - Noise, Events & Condition Changes

I am deeply concerned with the proponents submission to increase the noise levels permitted for outdoor music festivals at the Yelgun site. I live within a couple of kilometres, as the crow flies, in the closest residential street to the site in Ocean Shores and am very concerned that the increase in noise limit will mean an increase in the overall noise, not just the base . With a young family loud music over a number of days, late into the night is just not reasonable and I object to the submitted request for a noise level increase. It is my understanding that the requested fixed noise limit of up to 70 decibels until midnight and up to 60 decibels until 2AM is actually perceived as four times as loud as 50 decibels and eight times as loud as 40 decibels, respectively. When over 130 complaints about noise levels were received for the last festival, how can it be possible that an increase in noise levels be allowed? Please listen to the community concerns and deny the applicant's request for a noise level increase.

At the present level of the noise from Parklands events we are driven crazy most of the time & that includes 2 days before the events start,what is increasing the level to the extent they want going to do to our sanity, especially on the last day & night when they put the volume through the roof every event.Even the young people that go say it is far to loud at the event,imagine the increase & how far are you going to let them go over what you first allowered,seems the people who lived here before them just have to give up our way of life because you have allowered them to operate on one of NSW most enviormentily sensitive places,please be far in your decision. Thank You.

PS We have lost most of our bird life since it started -except the Crows.

Our residence is located at about three km distance from the festival site and we are already suffering substantial discomfort and loss of sleep from the noise levels generated by the annual Splendour festival. Both high and low pitched noise can pick up quite unpredictably due to shifting winds.
We had already experienced noise levels of 65/70 dB (high frequency) in the past which Splendour generated in breach of approval conditions, and we can only say, it is a very disturbing experience.
If those levels together with increased levels for bass noise become the 'new normal', the impacts will become unbearable.
We would call it unbridled cynicism if PAC concedes this increase of permitted noise to Parkland even during the current trial period. If granted, those new 'legal' levels will set a precedent for approval conditions for a permanent site in the future, with more festivals to come ad infinitum. It beggars belief that the current trial period should constitute a balance between commercial and residential interests. In fact, the rural amenity of our region would be wrecked forever.

I strongly object to the application to increase general noise and bass noise limits. My daughter and I were living at the far end of the valley and during each Splendour festival we have experienced, repeatedly, headaches and nausea as a result of the bass levels. We have also had sleep disturbance due to sudden increases in general noise between the hours of 10pm and 2am, usually during the last sets of the night, or the last sets of the festival. On each occasion I have registered my complaint with the North Byron/ Splendour community hotline. We have recently moved to the middle of the valley where, when visiting, we had noted that day-time noise levels were much higher than at our previous home.
I would like to note that during each festival I have witnessed an increase in road-kills on the freeway closest to the site - either as a result of increased traffic, or due to the animals trying to/ needing to get away from the noise and disturbances.
I do not object to the application for small non-music based local events, though it seems redundant given the imminent opening of sports-fields in Ocean Shores. I am concerned that approval for such events will pave the way for further intrusive events.
I do not object to the application to amend the typographical errors.

i am strongly opposed to Any increase to noise levels on the Yelgin site ,particularly Bass levels.. I have several friends living in the Yelgin Valley and have witnessed their distress at the existing noise generated by this venue .
This submission appears to be a stealthy push to deny these residents their rights to a peaceful life in their homes.
Also of concern to me is the suffering of the wildlife of the area as indicated by the witnessed increase in roadkill deaths.. Quite possibly due to low frequency audio distress as well as increased traffic after dark.

My objection is that the noise is already an issue and any further approval for the increase of the noise level would exacerbate the negative effects this has on the lawful enjoyment and peace that I am entitled to.

I object to any increase in noise level for the above application as the noise is an issue and problem now and any increase would interfere with the enjoyment and peace I am entitled to in my life.

* Duration of Noise......there are 2 aspects to noise exposure that render it dangerous. The first is duration of exposure. It is generally considered that 85 dB is the safe upper limit over an 8 hr period. Exposure beyond this, at such a level, irretrievably damages the human ear. Yet it is planned to expose patrons and staff over a 15 hr period. How can Council even entertain such a proposal?

* The second aspect is Noise Level........If 85 dB is the safe upper limit over an 8 hr period, how is it that the Splendour proposal far exceeds this? The noise level within 10 m of all performance tents is way over 85 dB. (98 dB in the case of the mix-up tent). The noise inside the tents, therefore, would have to be at a very dangerous level for both patrons and staff. The solution is not to provide patrons and staff with ear plugs, as proposed, but rather to limit the noise to a safe level.

* Damage to hearing depends on the energy force the ear is subjected to. Noise energy doubles for every 3 dB increase....it is not a plus/minus relation, but a logarithmic one. A 3dB increase is probably not even registered by the human ear as a volume change, yet it is highly significant. If you double the energy exposure, you must halve the exposure time to remain safe. Ie. 88 dB is only safe for 4 hr.

* Noise Damage is cumulative. Noise is like smoking. Because the cause and effect are remote in time, people think the damage is not happening. Hearing isn't lost overnight, but with on-going exposure at dangerous levels, the day will come when hearing loss totally destroys quality of life.

* I believe Council has a responsibility to be pro-active in discouraging unsafe activities within the Shire, activities that jeopardise the future well-being and quality of life of many young people. Council should take a leadership role here and model `best practice, or no practice'.

* Hearing loss is the second most common chronic disabling condition in Australia and noise-induced hearing loss is entirely preventable.

* I am leaving noise-nuisance issues in the general North Ocean Shores community to other people to discuss. Remember, though, a noise can be `legal', but, nevertheless, annoying and destructive...eg. snoring or a mosquito. Both are intolerable, and the `dorf, dorf' of electronic music is in this category.

I strongly disagree with any increase in" noise" output from North Byron Parklands. The PAC granted noise output levels for the 5 year trial period up to 2017. These levels have been proven to have been exceeded during music festivals conducted at the site since commencement of the trial period to the detriment of local residents.
Both high and low frequency sound have been disturbing, at times, during festival operation, in particular at night.
I strongly request that the "noise" output from Parklands be set to appropriate levels that do not detrimentally affect residents right to enjoy their rural and residential amenity, which includes a right to normal repose.
While Parklands have dealt with many of the difficulties that have arisen during the trial period, the noise output issue must be treated as a health priority for the surrounding neighbourhoods.
Noise output should be set for this particular activity on a site specific way so that surrounding areas are not detrimentally affected. Any increase in bass sound allowances at Parklands will further affect Billinudgel Nature Reserve, the surrounding residents and their farm animals.
Furthermore, to allow any increase due to inclement weather conditions compounds the impact of what can only be referred to as state sanctioned noise pollution to an untenable level for nearby residents.
It is noted that the PAC did not set low frequency noise output levels in their determination, for some reason. This level must be set specifically for the site and not given a "one size fits all" determination to equal other venues in the state that do not have the same ecological and residential impacts of our unique area, particularly with the inversion layer phenomenon that affects this particular geographic zone.
My experience, on attending festivals on site, is that the sound is very loud and somewhat distorted at source and is proven to carry to many parts of the north of Byron Shire and southern parts of Tweed Shire at an already unacceptable level. The number of complaints registered with The Parklands Festival Hotline regarding noise intrusion, does not fully indicate the numbers of residents who are affected by noise emanating from North Byron Parklands.
I have no issue with the site being utilised by smaller community and other user groups and applaud the employment of local workers by Parklands.

There needs to be a respectable limit on noise for any festivals that are held at Parklands. Limits should be no more than 50 decibels and would like to even lower this level.

I object to the Amendments wanted by North Byron Parklands to increase their sound levels for festivals held on site. I live about 10 kilometres from the festival site ( for that is what it is, NOT the cultural site they would have you believe ). When festivals are being held on the site I can usually hear the music most days( and I live over quite a few hills and in a valley!) and ALWAYS AS CLEAR AS A BELL ON THE LAST DAY OF EVERY FESTIVAL HELD SO FAR!!! Not just background noise, but clear enough for me to hear the words of the songs!!! I consider this is ALREADY an unacceptable noise level.
The noise also disturbs many animals both domestic and wild on my property. As I have horses the increase in the bat population flying over my property to escape the noise causes me great concern due to the increase in HENDRA VIRUS in our areas. Hendra KILLS horses, dogs and people. I do my best to avoid horse contact with bats, but when the number increases from around 2-3 in the late afternoons, flying TOWARD North Byron Parklands , to over 30 bats flying AWAY from the noise this makes it much harder to control the bat-horse contact! THIS IS A MAJOR HEALTH CONCERN.
When the majority of locals DO NOT AGREE with festivals being held on this site due to the many difficulties, disruptions and concerns created by this site (of which the Dept of Planning & ENVIRONMENT heard and chose to ignore) I OBJECT STRONGLY to any amendments being made. This includes the sound levels.
Yours Sincerely
Linda Parlett

While lowering the low frequency noise is welcome raising the high frequency is a nuisance to neighbours and detrimental to wildlife. This is a trial event and the trial period is not over. Do not allow the sound levels to be increased.
They had fireworks at one event late at night which woke us up two suburbs away.

This is not an appropriate area for large festivals. Our streets and stores are mobbed. We don't have the infrastructure to handle that many people in the North of the shire.

I was informed from the beginning that strict db levels were a main criteria of the trial period,this has been exceeded already.So if they are still in the trial period how is this even an issue?That they were able to pay a pittance of a fine to cover the breach is embarrassment to any body upholding the criteria of the trial period.So whats the trial period for anyway! Eg.I go for a job,I have a trial period.I fail to meet the requirements during the trail (I loose job...)
As for the trash left at the side of the road from Ocean Shores to Rosebank is a disgrace.I pay rates (continuously rising)my local roads are in a tragic state,what does 10s of thousands of extra cars do to effect this??????We pay for their party access and the promoters of the festivals are making plenty of profit.They should be responsible to repair the roads within a 25Km radius of the grounds.This place should be removed as a festival site even the owners dont live near the festival site,lets put it in their backyard!!!!!

I am a home owner is the suburb beside this festival site. I am also a business owner in Byron Bay. I strongly object to Splendour in the Grass and Falls and any other festivals, being held on this site.

They are only half way through their trial period. Between the two current festivals held here, there have already been a huge number of complaints made about noise levels (even as far as Main Arm, a village that is a 30minute drive away), not to mention other problems such as the threatening of a number of endangered species of wildlife, rubbish dumping, bad behaviour in neighbouring areas (such as festival patrons defecating on people's driveways!), major damage to our already poor roads with all the extra vehicles and trucks in the area, and the list goes on.

I thought that a TRIAL period meant that if the festival organisers and patrons didnt abide by the rules set by our government, then that festival would no longer be able to operate. Then what is a TRIAL PERIOD???

Splendour in the Grass has already failed in this trial period.

They have breached noise regulations (and to date just had to pay a measly $3000 in sound pollution fines and then continued their "trial period"!)

In january after Falls festival i spoke to a number of patrons who gave some interesting information. There was inadequate shade for festival goers (concerns were expressed by one lady who has studied events management and she was surprised they were allowed to run a festival of that size) and plenty of alcohol served and security on the front gate was minimal so many people brought in their own alcohol (i believe this was to gain more "brownie points" from the patrons during their "trial period"). Everyone I've spoken to agreed there were more people in those festivals than the legally allowed amount.

The application to make this a "cultural events site" is just a way for them to get more "mini festivals" onto the land which means more money for them, and slowly slowly they'll get more and bigger events and then in turn, Peter Noble (from Byron Bay Blues Fest) will do the same. I strongly object to this application and to the festivals altogether. They are by no means environmentally away and do not care for their patrons but rather are focused on monetary gains.

NSW Government - shame on you for not instilling more strict rules and following through with subsequent punishment for these festival organisers breaching the agreement.

https://www.facebook.com/CONOSInc?fref=nf

This is a good site to have a look at and see what is really going on.

The loud bass noise reverberates throughout my body and soul. I imagine the impact on native fauna must be devastating to say the least.

As a resident of Yelgun I object to any increase in noise outputs from the North Byron Parklands site. The noise levels on previous events has already proved disturbing. Our normally peaceful existence is greatly impacted by these festivals, and although they have greatly improved their traffic management from the first horrendously managed event, the noise is an ongoing issue.

Please do not allow any increase in noise levels to further impact on our sleep and well being.

I do not object to smaller community events being held on the site as long as they do not create any traffic issues or more noise pollution.

Thank you.

I don't support the submission to change noise levels. The sound travels to our house and can be a problem in the evening when trying to sleep. To increase the sound would be very unfair on those of us who live close by. This is not a one day day time event - this is over a few days in a residential area with families. It's hard enough to get kids to sleep without loud music playing; this would make it near impossible.
Thank you for your consideration

I go to Splendour In The Grass every year and don't think it is necessary that the sound levels are increased. The Byron Bay Blues Festival sound levels are not this loud yet it is still easily loud enough to be enjoyable. I would still enjoy Splendour if it was held in a different/better location that doesn't harm the native wildlife.

I strongly believe that an increase in noise levels at the North Byron Parklands site will adversely affect the local community and wildlife. Already the noise is evident at my home on occasions and particularly if the wind is favourable, I believe it will have a significant impact if these noise levels are increased.

I object to the changes that Parklands want to have approved ! They are on a five year trial, so is it right that they can try to increase the noise levels that were submitted at the beginning, half way through the trial ?
The noise that we were subjected to on some of the event nights was very loud as it got later into the evening, making it very disturbing inside our home !