Help Us Manage Unexpected Noise
Dealing with noise can be difficult, especially when the noise is something you do not expect or have never experienced in your neighbourhood.
Many noise complaints reported to Council are ‘one off’ events that do not have the required evidence for the noise to be regarded as ‘unreasonable’. Officers often attend noise complaints to find themselves in ongoing neighbour to neighbour issues which are not necessarily noise complaints.
Council officers can investigate and decide whether noise is unreasonable based on:
- volume and intensity
- what the noise sounds like – its character
- time and place
- circumstances
- how long the noise continues
- how often the noise occurs
Complaints not handled by Council:
- Criminal or anti-social behaviour, or once-off party noise requiring immediate attention. Report a complaint with the Victoria Police.
- State Government properties or activities that are regulated by the State Government such as school announcement systems. Contact the relevant State department to submit your complaint.
- Commercial or industrial properties. Report a complaint to the Environmental Protection Authority.
- Off-road noisy vehicles and trail bikes. Report a complaint online with the Victoria Police and VicRoads.
- Aircraft noise. Report a complaint online with Airservices Australia who manage complaints on behalf of the Australian Government.
Here Are Ways to Report Noise Pollution
Residential noise is regulated under the Environment Protection Act 2017. The Environment Protection Regulations 2021 cover specific sources of noise from residential properties. A list of prescribed times and their prohibited times are:
- Monday - Friday: before 7 am or after 9 pm*
- On weekends and public holidays: before 9 am or after 11 pm*
*Time restrictions depend on what's causing the noise. Visit the EPA website for more details on time restrictions for residential noise.