guidelines for separation distances - lga

CONSULTATION DRAFT

Guidelines

for

Separation Distances

AUGUST 2000

Environment Protection Authority

Government of South Australia

Consultation Draft – Guidelines for Separation Distances

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CONSULTATION

Responses are invited on these draft guidelines by the closing date of

31 October 2000. Submissions received by the due date will be considered by the Environment Protection Authority in developing a final set of guidelines. Enquiries on the draft guidelines should be directed to:

Peter Torr Manager, Environmental Planning Strategy Branch Environment Protection Agency Tel. 8204 2136 Fax 8204 2161

Dean Watson Senior Environmental Planner Strategy Branch Environment Protection Agency Tel. 8204 2093 Fax 8204 2161

Comments and submissions should be forwarded to:

Peter Torr Manager, Environmental Planning Strategy Branch Environment Protection Agency GPO Box 2607 Adelaide SA 5001

© Environment Protection Agency

This document may be reproduced in whole or part for the purpose of study or training, subject to the inclusion of an acknowledgment of the source and to its not being used for commercial purposes or sale. Reproduction for purposes other than those given above requires the prior written permission of the Environment Protection Agency.

AUGUST 2000


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INTRODUCTION The Guidelines for Separation Distances are primarily for the use of the Environment Protection Authority (the Authority) and its support organisation, the Environment Protection Agency (EPA), as a tool to assist in formulating advice to planning authorities on development applications referred to the Authority for environmental assessment under the provisions of the Development Act 1993.

The recommended separation distances are to be applied in the assessment of development proposals to ensure that incompatible land uses are located in a way which minimises impacts caused by noise, odour or polluting air emissions. While the Guidelines will be used to assist in the siting of new industrial development, they may also be used to ensure that industrial activities in appropriate zones are protected from encroachment by residential and other sensitive land uses that would adversely affect industry viability.

Planning authorities are encouraged to use the Guidelines when preparing Plan Amendment Reports as one method of addressing potential conflicts between incompatible land uses.

The Authority also supports the use of the Guidelines as a basis for introducing a development control mechanism which uses buffer distances as threshold values for complying and ‘on merit’ development in order to assess the potential for off-site impacts. This concept is discussed in greater detail in Planning SA’s Planning Bulletin on Industrial Development.

The Guidelines are to be used in the assessment of new development and are not intended to be applied retrospectively to existing industrial operations. The distances quoted in the Guidelines are, except in the case of landfill depots (See Section 9), recommended separation distances between various industrial uses and sensitive land uses. A mechanism for amending the recommended distances is included in the Guidelines. Consequently, the distances quoted in the document should not be adopted as absolute criteria, but rather as indicative distances which may be adjusted having regard to specific site circumstances. In the case of landfill depots, minimum separation distances are recommended.


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CONTENTS

1 BACKGROUND 1

2 THE ROLE OF SEPARATION DISTANCE GUIDELINES 2

3 APPLICATION OF SEPARATION DISTANCES 3

4 AMENDMENTS TO SEPARATION DISTANCES 5

5 SEPARATION DISTANCES FOR AIR EMISSIONS 6

6 SEPARATION DISTANCES FOR RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE VICINITY OF EXISTING SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS 13

7 SEPARATION DISTANCES FOR NOISE EMISSIONS 13

8 SETBACK DISTANCES FROM WATERBODIES FOR LIQUID WASTE DISPOSAL 13

9 BUFFER ZONE CONFIGURATION AND MINIMUM DISTANCES FOR SOLID WASTE LANDFILL DEPOTS 15

10 ODOUR CRITERIA FOR RURAL INDUSTRIES 17

TABLES

1 RECOMMENDED SEPARATION DISTANCES FOR AIR EMISSIONS 6

2 SEPARATION DISTANCES FOR SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS 13

3 SEPARATION DISTANCES FOR NEW SOLID WASTE LANDFILL DEPOTS 16


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1 BACKGROUND Good planning is a major contributing factor to the achievement of sustainable development and environmental protection. In recognition of the nexus between planning and environmental protection and enhancement, the environmental aspects of development proposals1 involving activities of environmental significance2 are assessed, in accordance with the Development Act 1993 and its Regulations, by the Environment Protection Authority.

Development planning policy in South Australia is based on the separation of certain classes of activities by using land-use zones to achieve a number of desired outcomes, including the protection of the amenity of residential areas and the unhindered operation of businesses in industrial and commercial areas. The separation of land-use activities is the conceptual basis for the preparation by the Authority of these draft Guidelines, which are intended to inform decisions that address potential conflicts between residential and other sensitive land uses and industry due to industrial emissions such as particulates, odours and noise.

Under the Environment Protection Act 1993 (the Act), industrial emissions are regulated by the requirement to comply with the General Environmental Duty and any relevant Environment Protection Policies. The use of separation distances is not an alternative to compliance by industry with its statutory obligations, but rather is an aid in locating industry and sensitive land uses to minimise the impacts of noise, odour or polluting air emissions which may result from accident, power failure, equipment failure, unusual meteorological conditions or human error. Similarly, the use of separation distances is not an alternative to the provision of appropriate policies and zoning schemes in the Development Plan. In terms of planning, the draft Guidelines may inform the planning process and should be seen as one of a number of tools available to deal with loss of amenity caused by co-location of incompatible land uses.

The primary role of the draft Guidelines is in the assessment of development proposals referred to the Authority and assessed under delegation by staff of the Environment Protection Agency (the EPA). The application of the draft Guidelines will assist in protecting amenity in residential and other sensitive areas, and can protect industry from encroachment by sensitive land uses.

This document consolidates information produced by the Victorian EPA and the World Health Organisation. In addition, the draft Guidelines include requirements for setback distances from waterbodies (both above and below ground) to prevent pollution, as used by the Department of Human Services and as prescribed in the Mount Lofty Regional Strategy Plan 1993. The Authority has also published buffer distances for waste landfill operations, in the draft Guidelines for Major Solid Waste Landfill Depots (1998), to prevent problems of litter, water pollution and bird strikes on aircraft. These distances are included in Section 9.

Other bodies, such as councils, government departments, developers and planning consultants may choose to use the draft Guidelines to assist in the planning and assessment of development proposals, and amendments to development plans.

1 Development is defined in the Development Act 1993 2 As defined in Schedules 8, 21 and 22 Development Regulations 1993


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2 THE ROLE OF SEPARATION DISTANCE GUIDELINES Separation distances are used extensively in differing forms in most Australian states, and are one means of achieving the air quality goals of the National Environment Protection Measure for Ambient Air Quality adopted by the National Environment Protection Council (NEPC). The use of separation distances is an approach endorsed in the South Australian Government’s Planning Strategy for Metropolitan Adelaide (1998), and is supported on the basis that industrial activities cannot be undertaken with optimum emission control conditions all the time.

The recommended separation distances contained in this document are based on the assumption that Best Available Technology Economically Achievable (BATEA) is implemented. BATEA involves the use of emission control technology which, although representing a significant financial cost, will not be such that the viability of the enterprise is threatened. Utilisation of BATEA will ensure that an enterprise complies with the requirements of the Environment Protection Act and Environment Protection Policies made under Part 5 of the Act.

Buffers or separation distances are not an alternative to source control and cleaner production methods. They are a means of reducing the effects of residual emissions and, in exceptional circumstances, the emissions of a plant operating under less than optimum conditions. It is important that the application of separation distances is not seen as a substitute for BATEA.


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3 APPLICATION OF SEPARATION DISTANCES 3.1 Separation distance application considerations These draft Guidelines apply to new industries and redevelopment of existing industries for which development authorisation is required under the Development Act, and will not be applied retrospectively to existing industrial operations.

In cases involving more than one medium (air, water, land, waste, noise) the relevant separation distance for each should be determined and the maximum of these distances applied.

In implementing the draft Guidelines, the following concepts must be taken into consideration.

Activity boundary This is the boundary drawn to enclose all activities, plant, buildings, other structures or other sources from which residual emissions or noise may arise.

The activity boundary includes all sources of potential pollutant emissions, such as stockpiles and storage facilities. These must be identified and included within the activity boundary from which measurements are taken. This concept allows industrial developers to provide for a buffer zone or part thereof on their own premises if circumstances permit. The activity boundary may not coincide with the property boundary (which would be the boundary for the purposes of environmental licensing under the Act).

Measurement point This is the point on or adjacent to the nearest sensitive land use or zone (which lists a sensitive land use as a complying use) at which a separation distance is assessed.

Recommended separation distance This is the distance prescribed in the Guidelines for the activity(ies) listed or as determined by the EPA after consultation with the industry. This distance is to be measured from the activity boundary.

Buffer Zone The buffer zone is that area defined by the application of a separation distance to an activity boundary.

Buffer boundary The buffer boundary is formed by a line drawn at the prescribed (or amended) separation distance from the activity boundary.

Where the distance between the measurement point and the activity boundary is less than the recommended separation distance, then the proponent should be requested to demonstrate why the lesser distance would be appropriate—ie the proponent should seek an amendment to the recommended separation distance as per Section 4 of these draft Guidelines.

A Development Plan zone which lists a sensitive land use as a complying use should be treated as if the land were being used for that activity for the purpose of these draft Guidelines, regardless of its current use. The nearest zone boundary to an actual or potential source of emissions is the measurement point in this case.

By careful layout within a site, and by locating the source producing the residual emissions as far


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as practicable from the nearest sensitive land use, the impact on neighbouring landholders can be reduced. Careful examination of the proposed site, activities, plant and installation, in conjunction with the relevant planning and environmental legislation, Development Plan objectives and principles, and details of existing land uses in the vicinity, is necessary if the separation distance requirements of a proposal are to be addressed adequately.

Industries themselves can be incompatible neighbours. Incompatible industrial uses include chemical works and food preparation premises; a dusty concrete plant and a paint shop requiring a dust free atmosphere; or a brick kiln and an orchid grower. The reasons for their incompatibility are often highly individual, and need to be addressed on a case by case basis to ensure that sensible planning solutions are reached.

The creation of designated precincts dedicated to particular industrial activities within industrial zones (for example a foundry precinct including resin sand production and other allied activities on the outer boundaries of the precinct) could be an effective means of preventing conflict.

Allowance should be made for the possibility of future expansion on a site when setting up initial separation distances, otherwise the expansion could be prevented by the lack of available buffers.

3.2 Sensitive land uses These draft Guidelines are intended to protect the amenity of sensitive land uses, such as:

• caravan parks

• community centres

• consulting rooms

• detached dwellings

• educational establishments

• childcare centres

• hospitals

• hotels

• motels

• multiple dwellings

• nursing homes

• offices

• residential flat buildings

• row dwellings

• parklands, recreation areas or reserves

• semi-detached dwellings

• zones (whether developed or not) designated in a Development Plan which list any sensitive land use listed above as complying development.


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4 AMENDMENTS TO SEPARATION DISTANCES As indicated above, the recommended separation distances contained in this document are based on the assumption that BATEA is implemented by any operation licensed under the Act. In addition, it is assumed that the industry is complying with the requirements of all State legislation.

If site specific circumstances (eg local topography, state of the art technology etc) appear to indicate a reason for departing from the recommended distance, the advice of the EPA should be obtained in the first instance.

The onus will be on the party seeking an amendment to the recommended distance to demonstrate that the designated separation distance is inappropriate for the particular situation.

As a guide, the following criteria should be addressed when seeking a site-specific variation from the recommended separation distance:

a. the scale of operation of the proposal, e.g. the proposed plant is significantly smaller than the normal operation for that activity, it will produce substantially lower emissions and will not be expanding

b. the standard of emission control technology to be used, e.g. the plant will have a standard of emission control technology significantly better than the good level of control normally applied to that activity, ie Best Available Technology, rather than BATEA

c. evidence of the effectiveness of the proposed technology

d. an environmental audit of residual emissions (air, water, noise, waste) that has been carried out and made available to the EPA

e. details of any history of complaints arising from residual emissions from an existing plant, either on the proposed site or elsewhere

f. the existence of exceptional topographic, meteorological or other circumstances that will affect the emission or dispersion of residual emissions.

Requests for amendments to the recommended separation distances should be included by proponents as part of their development application and address the criteria outlined above. It is suggested that proponents seeking an amendment to recommended separation distances will need to engage the services of experienced and appropriately qualified environmental consultants.


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5 SEPARATION DISTANCES FOR AIR EMISSIONS

Table 1: Recommended separation distances for airborne emissions.

Activity Schedule 1 EP Act ref *

Comment Recommended separation

distance (m) Petroleum and Chemical

Chemical fertilisers 1 1000

Coke production 1 1000

Polyester resins 1 production 1000

Synthetic resin/rubber 1 production 1000

Explosives 1 1000

Formaldehyde production 1 production 300

Paint/ink manufacture 1 1000

Paint mix/blending: a) solvent based b) water based

1 300 200

Pharmaceutical/ veterinary products

1 1000

Biocides 1 1000

Soap/detergents 1 production 300

Cosmetics etc 1 production includes toiletries

100

Inks 1 200

Petroleum refinery 1 2000

Other petroleum/coal products

1 500

Petroleum/crude oil >2000 t (a) fixed rooves (b) floating rooves

1 storage

300 100

Bulk volatile organic compounds >1000 t

1 storage 1000

Organic industrial chemicals 1 1000

Inorganic industrial chemicals

1 1000

Other chemical products — non-industrial

1 300

Refractories: large >10000 t p.a.

small <10000 t p.a.

1 5001


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distance (m) Artificial textiles and synthetic fibres

1 500

Wood preservation plants

• not including the use of creosote-based preservative

• including the use of creosote-based preservative

1

100

500

Industrial gases 1 production 1000

Plaster products 1 100

Manufacturing and Mineral Processing

Iron ore smelting 2 production of iron from the ore

1000

Concrete batch plants 2 100

Bitumen batch plants 2 500

Concrete/stone products 2 100 Cement manufacture >150 kt p.a. > 5 kt p.a. < 150 kt p.a. < 5 kt p.a.

2 1000

500

300 Ferrous foundries large (>500 t p.a.)

2 500

Ferrous foundries medium (100 to 500 t p.a.)

2 500

Ferrous foundries small (< 100 tonnes pa)

2 200

Non-ferrous foundries large (> 500 t p.a.) • use of resin sand

moulding • diecasting

2

500

500

Non-ferrous foundries medium (100 to 500 t p.a.) • use of resin sand


2

300

200 Non-ferrous foundries small ( < 100 t p.a.) • use of resin sand


2

2

200

100 Aluminium by electrolysis 2 2000


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distance (m) Rubber production/mixing 2 using either

organic solvents or carbon black

300

Sawmills 2 500

Wood fibre/chip production 2 300

Joineries 2 wood working 50 Pulp or paper works - Paper products or pulp involving combustion of sulphur or sulphur containing materials - Paper products or pulp from prepared cellulose and rag - Paper products or pulp from semi-processed materials - Paper products or pulp from other methods

2

5000

200

100

2

Hot mix asphalt 2 300

Abrasive blast cleaning in the open: - dry abrasive cleaning - wet abrasive cleaning Using a blast cleaning cabinet or a totally enclosed automatic blast cleaning unit: - all abrasive cleaning

2

500 100

50

Surface coating, including spray painting

2 3 50

Electroplating 2 100

Scrap metal recovery 2

Glass/glass production/wool (glass fibre)

2 500

Rock wool manufacture 2 500

Structural/sheet producers large

2 2000

Structural/sheet producer medium

2 1000

Printing and coating works with heat curing ovens

100


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distance (m) Waste Treatment and Disposal

Sewage works with capacity of <50 000 equivalent population

3 5Refer to Section 6 for larger capacity installations. The EPA must also be consulted

Landfill 3 Refer to Section 9 200 to 3000

Refuse transfer station (a) general refuse (b) green waste

for green waste compaction and removal for com-posting off site within 1 week

300 150

Temporary storage industrial waste

3 300

Treated aqueous waste not sewage

3 300

Treated organic waste not sewage

3 500

Incineration for plastic/rubber waste

3 500

Incineration for chemical/ bio-medical/organic waste

3 500

Crematoria 3 150

Recycle centre 3 300

Refuse collection vehicle depot

3 100

Incineration for wood waste 3 300

Industrial dry cleaners 3 100

Animal husbandry, aquaculture and other activities

Cattle feedlots (refer Section 10)

5 8

Piggeries (Refer Section 10) 5 6

Ostrich and emu farming 3007

Stockyards, saleyards 5 500

Food production, animal and plant processing

Smokehouses — curing and drying works

6 100

Abattoirs, including bird processing

6 Killing of animals for human consumption

500


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distance (m) Processing and rendering works

6 1000

Smallgoods 6 Smallgoods production

100

Milk products 6 100

Mushroom production 6 2

Wool scouring 6 Degreasing and primary treatment of wool

300

Rendering/casing works 6 1000

Tanning/leather dressing 6 300

Poultry production

(a) surrounding poultry sheds 7

urban residential zone

dwelling on another property

dwelling on same property

public road

side or rear boundary

1000

500

100

250

20

(b) surrounding waste disposal areas

urban residential zone

rural farm residence not owned by poultry sheds

public area

public road significant use

public road minor use

any watercourse as defined by a blue line on the current 1:50 000 SA government topographical map

500

100

50

50

20

50

Other livestock 2


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distance (m) Compost (a) containing ‘green’ organic waste

(b) containing organic waste

500

2

Vegetable oil/fats processing using solvents

6 300

Wineries or distilleries 6 Untreated winery waste water in an open lagoon Winery operations (based on noise attenuation principles)

1000 300

Materials handling and transportation

Flour mills 7 300

Grain elevators 7 300

Briquettes 7 production 300

Quarry/processing no blasting

7 grinding and milling works for rocks, ore etc separating by sieving aeration etc

300

Quarry/processing/ blasting

7 blasting, grinding and milling works for rocks, ore etc separating by sieving aeration etc

500

Maltworks 7 200

Other

Boilers 500 kg/hr fuel 8 100

Carpet backing with latex 300

Miscellaneous

Bakeries 100

Dyeing/finishing 100

Charcoal: (a) by the retort process (b) other than retort process

500

1000

Rope, cord and twine 100


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distance (m) Fibreglass-reinforced materials manufacture

Fibreglass-reinforced plastics

200

Gas distribution works 300

Gas odorising with mercaptan

1000

Transport depot including bus depots

100

Anti-frost fans Buffer distance based on noise attenuation principles

2000

Unprocessed hides 300

Notes to Table 1

∗ a full description is included in Schedule 1 of the Environment Protection Act 1993

1 Refractory industries can emit fluoride to which some plants are extremely sensitive. Buffer distances to prevent damage in these instances would be impractically large. It is preferable that this industry is not located in the vicinity of sensitive agriculture. The EPA must be consulted for this industry.

2 Separation distances for any existing or proposed establishment in this category will be determined by the EPA on a site-specific basis.

3 Refer to Technical Bulletin TB 17 Control of Air Pollution and Noise from Spray Booths for spray booths.

4 The separation distances for sewage treatment or effluent disposal works must be determined in consultation with the EPA.

5 The separation distance for any landfill operation should be calculated in accordance with the procedure set out in this guideline (see Section 9). Further information regarding Major Landfill Depots can be obtained from the Guidelines for Major Solid Waste Landfill Depots (EPA October 1998).

6 Guidelines for Establishment of Intensive Piggeries in South Australia. March 1998. Dept. for Primary Industries and Resources, Environment Protection Authority, South Australian Farmers’ Federation, Murraylands Regional Development Board. The distances allow for different pig numbers, size of pig, design standards and management standards as well as for different types of receptors. For very large piggeries, buffer distances should be determined in consultation with the EPA.

7 Refer to South Australian Farmers’ Federation Guidelines for the Establishment and Operation of Poultry Farms in South Australia (March 1998).

8 Guidelines for Establishment and Operation of Cattle Feedlots in South Australia (EPA and SA Department of Primary Industries, 1994) are being used as a standard to establish buffer distances. Buffer distances for cattle feedlots given in the Guidelines allow for variation in cattle numbers, cattle size, treatment process and management standards, as well as allowing for different types of receptors.


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6 SEPARATION DISTANCES FOR RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE VICINITY OF EXISTING SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS

Use the following table as a guide when considering proposals for residential developments in the vicinity of existing sewage treatment works.

Table 2: Recommended separation distances for sewage treatment works.

Type of installation Separation distances (metres) for installation treatment capacity (equivalent

population )

<1000 <5000 <20000 <50000

Mechanical/biological wastewater plants including aerated lagoons

100 200 300 400

Facultative lagoons 150 350 700 1000

Disposal areas for secondary treated effluent: (a) by spray irrigation (b) by flood irrigation

by consultation with EPA

The EPA must be consulted when determining separation distances for the establishment of new sewage treatment works.

7 SEPARATION DISTANCES FOR NOISE EMISSIONS Generally, the rationale for noise control is the use of noise attenuation techniques at the source of the noise rather than the adoption of separation distances. The EPA should be consulted in applying suitable technology. Under most circumstances, however, the requirements from an air quality perspective would generally exceed separation distances that would be required to attenuate noise to an acceptable level. An exception to this is the case of anti-frost fans. The Guidelines indicate where a separation distance is based principally upon noise attenuation requirements (Table 1).

8 SETBACK DISTANCES FROM WATERBODIES FOR LIQUID WASTE DISPOSAL 8.1 SA Health Commission recommended setback distances The following are recommended setback distances from waterbodies for liquid waste disposal (eg septic systems) by the SA Health Commission:

1) 2.5 metres from the property boundary for septic tanks, pumping tanks, allotment boundaries, diversion trenches, including soakage trenches, soakage wells or any other subsurface disposal system

2) 3.0 metres down slope from a building or swimming pool, or where the site is flat, 3 metres from any point of the building or swimming pool

3) 6.0 metres up slope from a building or swimming pool

4) 50.0 metres from any well, bore, dam, or watercourse used for domestic water supply

5) 100.0 metres from pool level for the River Murray and Lakes

6) intensive animal waste disposal areas: if disposed of on the property, manure must be spread


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evenly over pasture at least 100 metres from any well or bore and not on land subject to waterlogging or flooding.

8.2 Mount Lofty Ranges Regional Strategy Plan 1993 recommended setback distances

The following setback distances are recommended in the Mount Lofty Ranges Regional Strategy Plan 1993 and appear as actions under Objective 4.2 of the plan.

Outside of serviced townships, the following minimum setback distances from the normal bank of a watercourse will be adopted for all new development:

1) 25 metres — detached dwelling or farm building (other than animal sheds/buildings, septic tanks or other wastewater treatment facility)

2) 50 metres — industrial, animal husbandry or commercial building, septic tank soakage field or any other household wastewater disposal area

3) 100 metres — industrial or other animal husbandry wastewater disposal area

4) 25 metres — all built development, as defined under the Development Act 1993. All areas adjacent to watercourses should be managed to ensure that they provide effective transport of floodwaters and effective treatment of any stormwater runoff from adjacent development.


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9 BUFFER ZONE CONFIGURATION AND MINIMUM DISTANCES FOR SOLID WASTE LANDFILL DEPOTS

The recommended minimum separation distances for new solid waste landfill depots are contained in Table 3 below. It is recommended that landfill developers ensure that the buffer to sensitive land uses be incorporated into the licensed area (Figure 1). This is a critical element to ensure that future encroachment by incompatible activities cannot occur.

The buffer zone is an area of restricted activities, depending on the application and abutting uses. That is, the conduct of waste operations would be prohibited, but there is no reason why other compatible revenue-generating activities may not be allowed on the buffer. For example, tree planting would provide a visual screen and limit transport of litter and dust from the operations area, and may well provide a substantial income to the operator at the end of the active life of the landfill. The licence would continue in force during a specified post-closure period, which may be 20 to 30 years or more, during which time a reduced separation distance would be allowed. The operator may not necessarily own the land comprising the buffer zone, but would need to ensure that there were clear arrangements to avoid encroachment (analogous to an easement for service provision, eg electricity).

Figure 1: Concept of simple buffer incorporated into a licensed area.


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Table 3: Recommended separation distances for new solid waste landfill depots.

Sensitive land use

Objectives Proposed separation distance from operations area.

Minor Landfill Depot2 Major Landfill Depot1

Urban residential

development

protection of residential and visual amenity, eg minimise odour, dust, noise, seepage,

gas migration problems

250 m 500 m

Highways and arterial road

networks

protection of safety & visual amenity, eg ensure safe

motoring, minimise dust & litter migration

200 m 500 m

Rural township protection of residential and visual amenity, eg minimise odour, dust, noise, seepage,

gas migration problems

250 m

500 m

Flood plain /surface water

protection of waters from pollution; users of surface

waters not compromised; no significant impacts to flora and fauna; maintenance of ecological value of waters

500 m minimum from limit of 100 ARI3

flood plain/surface water

500 m minimum from limit of 100 ARI

flood plain/surface water

Airport protection of air traffic from bird hazards

3000 m to runway (turbojet aircraft)

1500 m to runway

(piston aircraft)

3000 m to runway (turbojet aircraft)

1500 m to runway

(piston aircraft) Groundwater

recharge zones no measurable deterioration

of groundwater 4

4

Environment-ally sensitive

uses5

environmental values of the area not compromised by the

landfill

4 4

Notes for Table 3 1. A Major Landfill Depot, as defined in the EPA Guidelines for Major Sold Waste Landfill Depots (EPA October 1998), is a depot that:

- exceeds an average volume of 35m3 of compacted domestic, commercial or industrial waste landfilled each day over any five consecutive day period, or - has a total landfill storage capacity that exceeds 230,000 m3.

2. A Minor Landfill Depot is any depot which does not meet the definition of a Major Landfill Depot.

3. ‘100 ARI flood plain’ means the area which would be inundated by the occurrence of a flood having an average recurrent interval of 100 years.

4. Performance criteria, rather than separation distances, are proposed for groundwater recharge zones, as it is often difficult to define the actual water levels, particularly in areas which are subject to large tidal or seasonal variations. Similarly, separation distances have not been proposed for environmentally sensitive uses, since they will need to be based on specific requirements for those areas.

5. Environmentally sensitive uses may include agricultural activities, national parks, flora or fauna conservation parks, sensitive

ecosystems or important heritage areas.


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10 ODOUR CRITERIA FOR RURAL INDUSTRIES Introduction When assessing a development application for a new rural industry, the Environment Protection Authority may require a more detailed assessment of the potential odour impact than provided by the draft Guidelines for Separation Distances, because of the size or nature of the industry, the sensitivity of the locality or the sensitivity of the neighbouring receptors. This assessment will include the measurement or estimation of the odour emissions at the source and the prediction of the odour levels and frequency of odours at neighbouring sensitive receptors. Sensitive receptors are as described in the draft Guidelines (p. 4). The prediction will be undertaken by the use of a mathematical model and representative input data. The prediction would represent normal full production and estimations of impact due to increased odour emissions from abnormal operation.

The industries This section applies to rural industries that are not located in townships and generally have odours that are emitted at a low height. Such industries may include composting facilities, poultry sheds, cattle feedlots or piggeries. It does not address odours emitted from tall chimneys, for which additional factors affecting dispersion and odour detection must be considered.

Odour measurement The odour levels are to be measured by the Victorian B2 method until such time as the South Australian Environment Protection Authority adopts another standard. The odour levels must represent full production under normal operation and increased odour emissions from abnormal operation.

The model and input data The model to be used is Ausplume (Lorimer 1986) version 4 or equivalent. Normally at least 12 months of representative hourly meteorological data is needed. Variation from this minimum shall permitted only with the agreement of the EPA. Other factors that are representative of the surrounding site and associated topography are needed for modelling dispersion of the odour.

Odour criteria The odour criteria are population dependent, reflecting the differing environmental nuisance or environmental harm associated with increasing potential for community exposure to the odour. The predicted odour levels (3 minute means) must not exceed the following odour levels 99.9% of the time at surrounding sensitive receptors, not including houses on the property of the development.

Number of people Odour criteria (Odour units (B2 method, 3 minute average, 99.9%))

2000 or more 1

350 or more 2

60 or more 3

12 or more 4

Single residence (less than 12)

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guidelines for separation distances - lga

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