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Noise impacts on us all every day and we each react differently depending on our circumstances and personal sensitivities.
While noise is part of life in a productive working environment it is important to always be considerate to neighbouring residents.
Situations that can upset neighbours include loud music, drums, machinery, equipment such as air conditioners, refrigeration units, pool/spa pumps or factories, car/building alarms or animals such as barking dogs.
Various legislation including the Protection of the Environment Operations (Noise Control) Act, Environmental Planning and Assessment Act set out restricted times of use where if noise is excessive outside the noise guidelines would constitute an offence for the person responsible for the noise where it is offensive or intrusive if it can be heard in an adjoining residence.
| Type of Noise | Times during which restrictions apply |
|---|---|
| Power tools including swimming / spa pool pump | Before 8:00am or after 8:00pm on Sundays and Public Holidays. Before 7:00am or after 8:00pm on any other day. |
| Musical instruments and electrical amplified sound equipment | Before 8:00am and after midnight on any Friday, Saturday or day immediately before a Public Holiday. Before 8:00am and after 10:00pm on any other day. |
| Air conditioners | Before 8:00am or after 10:00pm on weekend and Public Holidays. Before 7:00am or after 10:00pm on any other day. |
| Motor vehicle intruder alarms | No more than 90 seconds if the vehicle was manufactured before 1 September 1997. No more than 45 seconds if the vehicle was manufactured on or after 1 September 1997. |
| Building intruder alarms | No more than 10 minutes if the alarm was installed before 1 December 1997 or No more than 5 minutes if the alarm was installed on or after 1 December 1997. |
| Motor Vehicle use on residential premises (Does not apply to vehicle entering or leaving a premises) | Before 8:00am or after 8:00pm on any Saturday Sunday or Public Holiday. Before 7:00am or after 8:00pm on any other day. |
| Refrigeration unit fitted to a motor vehicle | Before 8:00am or after 8:00pm on any Saturday, Sunday or Public Holiday. Before 7:00am or after 8:00pm on any other day. |
| Lawn Mowers | Before 7:00am or after 8:00pm on Sundays and Public Holidays. Before 7:00am or after 8:00pm on any other day. |
Council is the ARA (Appropriate Regulatory Authority) in dealing with noise complaints for non-scheduled activities.
Council is responsible under the Protection of the Environment Act and under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act for ensuring that certain activities and developments appropriately manage noise so as not to cause a nuisance or harm to others.
Prior to lodging a noise complaint with Council, it is important for you to have attempted to resolve the issue yourself by talking with the owner or person responsible for the noisy activity. Neighbours may be unaware of the discomfort you are experiencing and in most instances will try assist in resolving the issue.
If you have tried this but continue to be impacted by unreasonable noise you can contact Council’s Environmental Health and Planning team on (02) 6953 0911 or email council@leeton.nsw.gov.au
Council is provided with a range of enforcement options including the service of a Noise Control Notice, Noise Abatement Direction, Prevention Notice, and / or Compliance Cost Notice. Non-compliance with these notice/s may lead to legal action being instituted or a penalty infringement notice being issued.
It should be noted that noise-generating activities undertaken by public authorities such as Council, the Roads and Traffic Authority, State Rail Authority, and Sydney Water etc are not the responsibility of Council, but are the responsibility of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).
A significant number of noise complaints are received and investigated by Council each year. The complaints reflect the various situations, whether they are mechanically generated or human activities, in which a person's awareness of and tolerance towards a noise source are subjected.
Residents wishing to have a noise matter investigated can contact Council's Environmental Health and Planning team on (02) 6953 0911 or by email council@leeton.nsw.gov.au
All complaints are dealt with confidentially, however complainants should be aware that, in some circumstances, should a matter subsequently involve legal action, a written statement and / or court appearance by the complainant may be required.
In all cases, the Council officer responsible will endeavour to negotiate a solution to the situation without recourse to enforcement actions, however in some circumstances, Council may use regulatory powers under the Protection of the Environment Act 1997 to resolve noise issues.
Additional information in regard to noise issues is available from the Environment Protection Authority by phoning 131 555 or from their web site by clicking here
