Therefore it is not considered within the scope of this booklet. This can interfere unreasonably with day to day activities, particularly concentration, recreation and sleep, and result in an adverse impact on residential amenity. Vibration and airblast from blasting can lead to community concern primarily due to the fear of structural damage. This fear occurs because people are able to detect vibration at levels which are well below those which result in even superficial damage to buildings and items of heritage value. In Australia this concern may extend beyond man-made structures, to sites of natural or cultural significance such as Aboriginal art and sacred sites and valued landscapes.
Communities can experience noise and vibration impacts from mining operations in many ways.
Measures are proposed to limit such impacts in NSW's Hunter Valley, with coal trains affecting residents. These include sound barriers, rubber buffering for rail line supports and additional rail electricification so fewer diesels were needed for haulage. This design enables mobile equipment in less acoustically screened position for short periods when it is necessary to operate equipment within 2 m to 3 m of the top of Racecourse Hill. During these times, quarry activities are visually and acoustically shielded from all distant dwellings by a 10 m to 20 m high rock wall. The crushing and processing facilities are on a level area at approximately 1125 m AHD adjacent to a 6 m to 8 m high wall of undisturbed material.