Tamworth Regional Council | Tamworth, NSW

Project Overview

Octave Acoustics was engaged as part of the design team for the Tamworth Aquatic, Education and Health Centre of Excellence (AEHCE), a major new regional community facility in Tamworth, NSW.

The project comprises a landmark, multi‑use aquatic, health, fitness and education facility located adjacent to the Tamworth Regional Hockey Centre on Jack Smyth Drive, Hillvue. The development integrates a 50‑metre FINA‑accredited competition pool, warm water and program pools, spectator seating, gym and program spaces, allied health consulting rooms, sports science and teaching facilities, café and administration areas, together with extensive mechanical and plant infrastructure.

Our Role

Octave Acoustics provided acoustic consultancy services working closely with the architect and broader project team throughout design development and documentation. Our role supported the delivery of a technically robust, buildable and cost‑effective acoustic outcome appropriate for a large, regionally significant public facility.

Acoustic advice was integrated with the project’s design development and value management processes to ensure performance objectives were maintained alongside evolving architectural, services and construction outcomes.

Scope of Services

• Acoustic Design Criteria & Compliance
  Development of project‑specific acoustic criteria addressing internal noise levels, reverberation times, sound insulation, vibration control and environmental noise emissions, in accordance with AS 2107, AAAC Guidelines, ASHRAE guidance and the NSW EPA Noise Policy for Industry.
• Internal Acoustic Environment
  Design targets and treatment strategies for acoustically challenging spaces including the main pool hall, warm water pool hall, gym, program rooms, offices, consulting rooms and teaching spaces, addressing speech intelligibility, comfort and functional use.
• Sound Insulation & Spatial Separation
  Specification of wall, door and glazing constructions to control noise transfer between high‑activity spaces and noise‑sensitive areas, including detailed wall type schedules and acoustic separation mark‑ups coordinated with architectural documentation.
• Mechanical & Hydraulic Plant Noise Control
  Detailed assessment and specification of mechanical and hydraulic plant noise and vibration, including sound power limits, duct lining requirements, attenuators, enclosure treatments and vibration isolation for HVAC systems, pool plant, pumps and heat pumps.
• Environmental Noise Management
  Establishment of external plant noise performance requirements to support compliance with applicable environmental noise criteria for surrounding land uses.
• Gym Noise & Vibration Mitigation
  Acoustic and vibration control strategies for gym and program spaces, including guidance on specialist flooring systems and isolation measures to limit structure‑borne noise transfer.
• Rain Noise & Services Coordination
  Advice on roof build‑ups, ceiling systems and detailing to manage rain noise transmission to sensitive internal spaces.
• Acoustic Specification & Value Management Integration
  Preparation of a comprehensive acoustic specification coordinated with architectural and services design, incorporating value‑managed construction systems while maintaining required acoustic performance outcomes.

Outcome

The Tamworth Aquatic, Education and Health Centre of Excellence is designed to provide a high‑quality acoustic environment across a wide range of acoustically demanding spaces, supporting community use, elite sport, education and health services.

Octave Acoustics’ involvement ensured that acoustic performance, practicality and cost efficiency were balanced throughout the design process, contributing to a durable and well‑resolved outcome for this significant regional facility.