Update: Noise Mitigation and Curfews for the Alice Springs Ron Goodin Power Station

Power and Water is working hard to solve the noise problems associated with the Ron Goodin Power Station when the new generator is operating. While we are working as fast as possible to achieve this, we need to ensure the solution is the best one for the future. Your patience is appreciated.

About the project:
The project to install additional baffles onto the Titan generator exhaust silencer at the Ron Goodin Power Station, which will reduce noise levels in nearby suburbs, is on track to be completed by mid year.

This engineering solution was recommended by international sound monitoring experts Hayes MacKenzie to reduce the noise levels emitted from the Power Station under certain conditions. The exhaust silencer works in a similar way as a car muffler and additional baffles will help reduce the noise further.

The curfew:
Power and Water has imposed a curfew on the operation of this generator, to limit the inconvenience of noise to nearby neighbours.

When possible, this generator is not operated between 8pm and 6am.

However, the turbine is occasionally run outside these times, in order to ensure a reliable power supply to Alice Springs. This has occurred on high electricity demand days and when other generators are undergoing maintenance.

Sound Blankets:
While the baffles are still under construction, by late March sound blankets will be fitted to this generator.

Sound blankets, which will be wrapped around the base of the exhaust silencer on this generator, will provide further noise reduction.

Environmental monitoring results:
Late last year Power and Water’s environmental scientists conducted sampling from three properties in the Golf Course Estate after concerns were raised over soot deposits in backyard swimming pools.

There were concerns that these deposits originated from the Power Station.

The test results indicate that the soot deposits do not come from the Power Station as they are biological in nature.

We will continue to keep you updated over the progress of the noise solution for this generator.