Code for building in transport noise corridors

Residential buildings approved after 1 September 2010 that are located in a designated transport noise corridor must comply with the QDC MP 4.4 – Buildings in a transport noise corridor (PDF, 661KB).

Under this code, residential buildings must achieve certain levels of noise reduction for occupants by incorporating appropriate building materials into the building's external envelope (e.g. windows, walls, roof, floors and entry doors).

The code:

• provides a consistent building standard across Queensland
• reduces the time and cost of building approval
• minimises the effects of transport noise from major transport corridors on people's health and amenity.

Where the code applies

MP4.4 applies to building work for a relevant residential building if the work is the subject of a building development application made on or after 17 August 2015.

A building is a relevant residential building if all of these apply:

• The building development application for the construction of the building was made after 31 August 2010.
• The building is:
  • a class 1, 2, 3 or 4 building
  • located in a transport noise corridor, and
  • not a relocated building.
• The building development approval for the construction of the building was not given under the building assessment provisions in force immediately before 1 September 2010, under section 37 of the Building Act 1975.

A building is a relocated building if the building:

• a class 1, 2, 3 or 4 building
• is used as a residence, and
• was constructed on an allotment (the first allotment) and subsequently relocated to another allotment or another site on the first allotment.

Relocated buildings are sometimes referred to as removable buildings.

MP4.4 also applies to new residential dwellings, including prefabricated and modular homes yet to be built, as noise mitigation measures can be incorporated with their overall design and construction.

Properties in a designated transport noise corridor affected by multiple noise categories

There are 5 noise categories, ranging from 0 to 4. Each category represents a noise level for both state-controlled roads and railway land:

• Noise assessment for state-controlled roads and local government roads must be undertaken in accordance with the Transport noise management code of practice volume 1 – road traffic noise.
• Noise assessment for railway land must be undertaken in accordance with the State development assessment provisions: supporting information community amenity (noise).

For multiple-storey buildings, each building storey must be considered individually. The calculated noise category may vary from level to level, particularly where barrier effects are present due to factors such as walls, fences, buildings and topography.

Property owners and building designers can:

• use the mapping tool to find out if a property is in a designated transport noise corridor
• have an on-site noise assessment completed to find a solution that meets the requirements.

On-site noise assessment can identify:

• where a lower noise category might apply to the property
• features that may affect noise levels, such as other buildings, noise barriers or topography.

Renovating existing dwellings and relocatable homes

If a major renovation (i.e. alteration, addition, relocation) is proposed for an existing residential building in a designated transport noise corridor, the building must comply with MP 4.4 in the area covered by the renovation if it was approved after 1 September 2010.