Environmental nuisances

Tools and machinery, including the following, need to comply with the permitted noise levels and not cause a nuisance:

• compressors and generators,
• ducted vacuuming systems,
• lawnmowers and edge cutters,
• impacting tools, e.g. hammers and nail guns,
• leaf blowers and mulchers,
• oxyacetylene burners,
• power tools, e.g. chainsaws, drills and sanders.

Permitted noise levels

If noise from tools and machinery is audible at an affected premises between the following hours, the responsible person may be issued a fine or notice:

• 7 pm to 7 am - Monday to Saturday
• 7 pm to 8 am - Sundays or public holidays.

You can help to reduce noise by:

• limiting hours of use,
• selecting a quieter model or quieter equipment, e.g. sweep instead of using a leaf blower,
• working indoors, if possible and away from noise sensitive areas, e.g. bedroom and office windows,
• performing regular maintenance on equipment,
• installing an acoustic enclosure on fixed equipment - check with the manufacturer or installer for advice modifying equipment – check with the manufacturer or installer for advice.

This information is available as a regulated device noise fact sheet.

Builders and owner-builders have different noise requirements which can be found below.

This information applies to builders and owner-builders with a permit.

Home renovators using tools and machinery have different noise restrictions.

Permitted noise levels

If noise from building work is audible at an affected premises between the following hours, the responsible person may be issued a fine or notice:

• 6.30 pm to 6.30 am Monday to Saturday
• any time on Sundays or public holidays.

Sometimes building work noise can comply with the permitted levels but still be considered a noise nuisance when assessed against the emission criteria. In this case, Council can issue a notice to the responsible person.

You can help to reduce noise by:

• limiting the hours of use,
• find out what times neighbours are most disturbed by the noise,
• selecting quieter equipment,
• working as far as possible from neighbours and noise sensitive places, e.g. bedroom and office windows,
• performing regular maintenance on equipment,
• installing a solid fence or barrier installing an acoustic,
• enclosure around fixed equipment, e.g. compressors - check with the manufacturer or installer for advice modifying equipment – check with the manufacturer or installer for advice,
• let neighbours know about the noisy works,
• leave a contact number if noisy work is ongoing, consider respite days or scheduling the work so there is a break from the noise,
• limit noisy work to certain times of the day when it is less likely to impact on neighbours.

Air-conditioners need to comply with the permitted noise levels and not cause a noise nuisance.

Permitted noise levels

• 7 am to 10 pm – no more than five decibels (A) above the background noise level
• 10 pm to 7 am – no more than three decibels (A) above the background noise level.

How to reduce noise levels?

You can help to reduce noise by:

• limiting the hours of use,
• find out what times neighbours are most disturbed by the noise,
• selecting a quieter air-conditioning model,
• choosing the unit location carefully,
• avoid placing near neighbouring bedroom windows, offices, multiple walls and corners,
• performing regular maintenance,
• installing a solid fence or barrier installing an acoustic enclosure - check with the manufacturer or installer for advice modifying equipment – check with the manufacturer or installer for advice.

Amplifier devices, including the following, need to comply with the permitted noise levels and not cause a nuisance:

• loudhailer
• megaphone
• public address system, other than a railway
• remote telephone bell
• telephone repeater bell.

Devices used at indoor venues and entertainment events have different noise requirements.

Permitted noise levels

If noise from the amplifier device is audible at an affected premises between the following hours, the responsible person may be issued a fine or notice:

• 10 pm and 7 am Monday to Friday
• 6 pm and 8 am on Saturday, Sunday, or public holidays.

If you are using your device at other times, you need to ensure the noise level is no more than 10 decibels (A) above the background level.

You can help to reduce noise by:

• limiting hours of use,
• selecting a quieter model or quieter equipment, e.g. using a pager or replacing telephone repeater bells with a visual alarm,
• installing a solid fence or barrier,
• choosing the device location carefully. Avoid placing near neighbouring bedroom windows, offices, multiple walls and corners.

Noise from indoor venues, including the following, needs to comply with the permitted noise levels and not cause a nuisance:

• indoor cricket or netball,
• ten pin bowling.
• concerts,
• religious worship,
• squash.

Permitted noise levels

If the noise at a premises is over the following levels, a fine or notice may be issued to the responsible person:

• 7 am to 10 pm - no more than five decibels (A) above the background noise level,
• 10 pm to midnight – no more than three decibels (A) above the background noise level,
• midnight to 7 am – no noise heard.

The permitted noise levels do not apply to:

• educational buildings used for non-commercial activities,
• entertainment venues issued with a licence or permit by council or a liquor licence from Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation, with noise level conditions,
• sites that have a development approval with noise level conditions.

You can help reduce noise by:

• planning the location and orientation of stages, audio systems and amplifier devices – face away from neighbours,
• installing a solid fence or barrier,
• selecting quieter equipment and amplifier devices or use alternatives, e.g. using a pager or replacing telephone repeater bells with a visual alarm,
• limit time noisy equipment and devices are used,
• if possible, keep doors and windows closed,
• consider installing a noise limiting device.

Outdoor entertainment events, including the following, need to comply with the permitted noise levels and not cause a nuisance to neighbours:

• concerts,
• festivals,
• sporting competitions and
• races.

Permitted noise levels

If the noise at a premises is over the following levels, a fine or notice may be issued to the responsible person:

• 7 am to 10 pm – noise is no more than 70 decibels (A)
• 10 pm to midnight – no more than 10 decibels (A) above the background noise level or 50 decibels (A), whichever is lower midnight to
• 7 am – no noise heard.

 The permitted noise levels do not apply to:

• educational buildings used for non-commercial activities,
• entertainment events issued with a licence or permit by council, or a liquor licence from Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation, with noise level conditions,
• sites that have a development approval with noise level conditions.

You can help reduce the impact of noise levels by:

• having a noise management plan,
• planning the location and orientation of stages, audio systems and amplifier devices – face away from neighbours,
• turning noise down, particularly the bass,
• letting your neighbours know about the event and providing an event hotline for complaints,
• monitoring noise levels during the event.

Power boat engine noise needs to comply the permitted noise levels and not cause a nuisance.

Permitted noise levels

Power boat engine noise on land

If power boat engine noise on land can be heard a premises between the following hours, the responsible person may be issued a fine or notice:

• 7 pm to 7 am Monday to Saturday
• 6.30 pm to 8 am Sundays and public holidays.

Power boat engine noise on waterways

Where a power boat is used for sporting activities on waterways during the following times, a fine or notice may be issued if noise can be heard at a premises continuously for more than two minutes:

• 7 pm to 7 am Monday to Saturday
• 6.30 pm to 8 am Sundays and public holidays

You can help to reduce noise by:

• limiting the hours of use,
• carrying out testing and maintenance away from noise sensitive places, e.g. bedroom and office windows,
• selecting a quieter model,
• staying away from premises and limiting time in one location when on a waterway.

Swimming pool, spa and other water pumps need to comply with the permitted noise levels and not cause a nuisance to neighbours.

Permitted noise levels

If the noise at a premises is over the following levels, a fine or notice may be issued to the responsible person:

• 7 am to 7 pm - no more than five decibels (A) above the background noise level
• 7 pm to 10 pm – no more than three decibels (A) above the background noise level
• 10 pm to 7 am – no noise heard. How to reduce noise levels.

You can help to reduce noise by:

• limiting hours of use – understand how long your pool filter needs to run for,
• selecting a quieter model,
• choosing the pump location carefully. Avoid placing near neighbouring bedroom windows, offices, multiple walls and corners,
• performing regular maintenance,
• installing a solid fence or barrier installing an acoustic enclosure - check with the manufacturer or installer for advice,
• modifying equipment – check with the manufacturer or installer for advice.

Noise from refrigeration equipment needs to comply with the permitted noise levels and not cause a nuisance to neighbours.

Permitted noise levels

If the noise at a premises is over the following levels, a fine or notice may be issued to the responsible person:

• 7 am to 10 pm - no more than five decibels (A) above the background noise level
• 10 pm to 7 am – no more than three decibels (A) above the background noise level.

You can help to reduce noise by:

• selecting a quieter model,
• choosing the refrigeration equipment location carefully. Avoid placing near neighbouring bedroom windows, offices, multiple walls and corners,
• parking truck mounted units at a depot or away from noise sensitive areas,
• performing regular maintenance on refrigeration equipment,
• installing a solid fence or barrier installing an acoustic enclosure - check with the manufacturer or installer for advice,
• modifying equipment – check with the manufacturer or installer for advice.