Construction noise and dust monitoring

We held a community discussion on 29 April 2025 to hear your feedback about the construction of the North East Link (NEL) and Eastern Freeway widening works. Over 40 community members attended the forum and shared feedback and questions, including concerns about construction noise and dust impacts.

In response to these concerns we committed to:

• install equipment to monitor noise and dust during construction
• make this monitoring data available to the community in as close to real time as possible.

View the monitoring data

We engaged SiteHive to monitor construction noise and dust. They installed monitoring devices at 8 locations.

To view the data captured by the SiteHive devices, visit the dashboard.

View the data

When accessing the dashboard, you can toggle between the dust and noise data.

About the data

SiteHive has installed 8 hexanode monitoring devices, powered by a solar panel and battery. They record noise and dust data.

Dust monitoring

The dust monitoring records particulate matter, specifically PM10 and PM2.5.

The dust thresholds in the Environmental Performance Requirements (EPRs) are based on the 24-hour (midnight to midnight) average for PM10 and PM2.5. The North East Link Program (NELP) contractors are responsible for ensuring their works adhere to the EPRs.

The dashboard shows the 24-hour average for PM10 and PM2.5.

More information

Learn more about the EPRs related to construction impacts on air quality and noise, in the documents below.

Construction noise monitoring

The noise monitoring records the ambient noise level in decibels or dB. The construction noise EPR thresholds are in a noise level unit called LA90 and change throughout the day and day of the week.  The thresholds are different at different locations.

LA90 is the noise level exceeded for 90 percent of the sample period. This noise level is described as the average minimum background sound level, or simply the background level.

The dashboard shows the average LA90 noise levels. 

Monitoring locations

SiteHive has installed hexanode monitoring devices in:

• Gardenia Road, Balwyn North
• Carron Street, Balwyn North
• Mountain View Road, Balwyn North
• Highview Road, Balwyn North
• Columba Street, Balwyn North
• Orion Street, Balwyn North
• Old Burke Road, Kew East
• Fairway Drive, Kew East.

How we use the data

We’re actively monitoring the dust and noise monitoring data to ensure it remains within the thresholds defined by the Environmental Performance Requirements.

We will continue to capture dust and noise data until the end of 2028, when the North East Link project is expected to be completed.

If a breach of dust or construction noise thresholds is detected, we will contact the North East Link Program directly. If required, we will contact the Environment Protection Authority Victoria directly.

Contact us

This dust and noise monitoring initiative is a Council run and funded project.

The North East Link Program is not involved in this activity.

Please contact us if you have questions or comments.

• Contact: Major Project Interface
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 03 9278 4444

The North East Link Program

The NEL Environmental Management Framework

As a Declared Project under the Major Transport Projects Facilitation Act (2009), the North East Link Program (NELP) and its contractors are granted extraordinary powers for the planning, design and delivery of the project.  Council has no control over works within the Declared Project Area.

The project’s approval pathway included development of an Environmental Management Framework (EMF) with 110 Environmental Performance Requirements (EPRs) to define the minimum environmental outcomes that must be achieved during design, construction and operation of the NEL.

Compliance with the EPRs and other approved project documents and plans are monitored by an Independent Environmental Auditor (IEA).

Download the EMF from the Big Build website.

Independent Environmental Auditor’s role

The Independent Environmental Auditor (IEA) for the Eastern Freeway works is KPMG.

The role of the IEA is to review environmental documentation to verify compliance and undertake environmental audits of the NEL project’s activities assessing these against a range of key documents and approval conditions.

This includes compliance with the Environmental Management Framework (EMF), Environmental Performance Requirements (EPRs), Environmental Strategy, Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP), Worksite Environmental Management Plans (WEMPs) and Construction Compound Plans (CCPs).

A 6-monthly IEA summary report summarises audit activities and findings, status of actions taken to resolve any issues raised, and overall compliance with the project’s Environmental Management Framework (EMF) and Environmental Performance Requirements (EPRs).

Each IEA report provides a summary of audit activities and outcomes related to construction activities by delivery partners and, where relevant, activities undertaken by the State.

Freeway package IEA summary reports are published on the Big Build website.