SA Noise Policy Explained | Assigned Noise Levels

The South Australia Environment Protection (Noise) Policy 2007 is the primary framework used to assess environmental noise across Adelaide and wider South Australia.

Published by the Environment Protection Authority South Australia, the policy defines clear and prescriptive noise limits for development and operational compliance.

Unlike NSW and QLD, the SA framework is based on Assigned Noise Levels (ANLs), providing fixed noise limits based on land use and time of day.

When You Need This

The SA Noise Policy applies to:

• Development applications involving mechanical plant or industrial activity
• Commercial and mixed-use developments
• Warehouses and logistics facilities
• Cafes, gyms, and entertainment venues
• Sites subject to noise complaints or EPA regulation

The policy is used to determine whether a project meets acceptable noise limits at nearby receivers.

Applicable Standards / Requirements

Governing Authority

• Environment Protection Authority South Australia

Core Document

• Environment Protection (Noise) Policy 2007

Key Compliance Requirement

To comply with the SA Noise Policy:

• Noise levels must not exceed Assigned Noise Levels (ANLs)
• Limits are defined by:
  • Land use zoning
  • Time of day

Assessment Methodology

The SA framework provides a direct and structured approach to noise assessment.

1. Assigned Noise Levels (ANLs)

ANLs define maximum allowable noise levels at receivers.

They are based on:

• Residential zones (most stringent limits)
• Commercial zones
• Industrial zones

Each zone has specific allowable noise levels.

2. Time-of-Day Periods

Different limits apply for:

• Day
• Evening
• Night

Night-time limits are typically the most restrictive due to increased sensitivity.

3. Noise Measurement Metric

Assessments are generally based on:

• LAeq (equivalent continuous noise level)

This represents the overall noise level from a source over a defined period.

4. Land Use and Zoning

Applicable ANLs are determined by:

• Planning zones
• Surrounding land use
• Receiver sensitivity

Zoning directly defines the compliance limits.

5. Project Noise Assessment

Acoustic reports must:

• Predict operational noise levels
• Compare results to assigned noise levels
• Demonstrate compliance or identify exceedances

Compliance / Outcomes

To achieve compliance under the SA Noise Policy:

• Predicted noise levels must not exceed ANLs
• Assessments must reflect:
  • Applicable zoning
  • Time-of-day limits

Acoustic reports must clearly demonstrate:

• Methodology
• Assumptions
• Compliance outcomes

This is required for development approval and EPA compliance in South Australia.

Mitigation / Design

Where exceedances occur, mitigation may include:

• Acoustic barriers or enclosures
• Equipment selection and noise control
• Site layout optimisation
• Operational restrictions

Mitigation is designed to achieve compliance with assigned noise limits.

Our Reports

AACG prepares acoustic reports aligned with the SA Noise Policy, including:

• Identification of applicable ANLs
• Noise modelling and LAeq predictions
• Assessment against zoning-based criteria
• Compliance tables and interpretation
• Practical mitigation recommendations

Reports are structured for planning approval and EPA review.

Our Process

1. Review of project and applicable ANLs
2. Site and operational assessment
3. Noise modelling and prediction
4. Compliance assessment
5. Mitigation design (if required)
6. Final report for submission

Our Quality

AACG operates as an engineering-led consultancy:

• Clear understanding of SA EPA requirements
• Consistent and defensible methodology
• Structured and practical reporting
• Alignment with compliance frameworks

Our Commercial Approach

We structure our services to:

• Align with development approval pathways
• Provide efficient and compliant outcomes
• Reduce risk of redesign or delays
• Support project feasibility

Our Guarantees

• Reports aligned with SA EPA requirements
• Clear, defensible acoustic assessments
• Suitable for development application submission
• Designed to minimise compliance risk

If your project requires compliance with the South Australia Noise Policy, AACG provides structured, approval-ready acoustic assessments aligned with assigned noise levels and EPA requirements.

Contact AACG to scope your project and ensure compliance from the outset.

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