Residential Noise
The Environmental Protection Act 2017 makes it an offence to create unreasonable levels of noise at your residential property. Residential noise may be unreasonable at any time of the day, depending on its volume, intensity, duration, time, place and other circumstances.
Check the EPA (Residential Noise) Regulations 2021 to find out the time when you can use specific types of equipment.
If you are affected by residential noise it is best to speak with your neighbours about your concerns before submitting a complaint to Council. This will often help you to resolve the matter quickly and maintain a good relationship with your neighbour.
If you are having trouble speaking with your neighbour Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria's (DSCV) can provide advice and may be able to assist with mediation services
Odour Pollution
If there is excessive odour coming from a residential property in Wyndham you can report it via our Online Customer Service Portal. Our Environmental Health Officer will need to observe the emissions for further action to be pursued. The Environmental Health Officer will investigate matters considered to be unreasonable and will endeavour to resolve this issue.
Who can help with residential noise issue?
Type of noise issue | Who can help |
My neighbour is playing loud music and it’s the middle of night or after house | Contact your nearest Police Station |
My neighbour is having a party, people are yelling and singing and it’s late | Contact your nearest Police Station |
My neighbour practices playing drums every afternoon | Contact Council |
My neighbour is running a business from home and the noise is unreasonable | Contact Council |
My neighbour is working on his car and revving it constantly | Contact Council |
My neighbours air conditioner is noisy and runs all night, it keeps me awake | Contact Council |
Should you have a noise issue associated with an industrial, commercial or trade premises, please contact the EPA – 1300 372 842
Council's role in residential noise
When assessing noise complaints Council will aim to balance the needs and reasonable expectations of all residents within the scope and limits of relevant laws.
Council can investigate complaints about unreasonable noise. Councils assessment of the noise will not include how annoying the noise is. But rather, if the noise is reasonable within the context of the nature and character of the surrounding area.
If Council finds the noise to be unreasonable Council may take a number of different actions to help resolve the issue. The initial step will be to provide education and advice to the person making the noise so they are aware of the rules to resolve the issue.
⚠Council’s involvement in residential noise that is annoying or noise that is impacting on outdoor areas will be minimal. Council will provide information about how customers can resolve the matter themselves.
⚠It is important to understand that Council cannot investigate noise reports that are submitted anonymously. If you do not provide your contact details Council will not take any action in response to your concerns.
Councils is unable to investigate noise complaints where you are unable to provide the details of where the noise is coming from. Councils response to these requests will be limited.
Making a residential noise complaint
We recommend that you speak with your neighbours about your concerns before submitting a complaint to Council. This will often help you to resolve the matter quickly and maintain a good relationship with your neighbour.
If, after talking with your neighbour, the noise is still a problem. Or you are uncomfortable confronting your neighbour, you can report the issue to Council.
You will need to provide the following information when you report the noise issue to Council:
- Where the noise is coming from
- Who or what is making the noise
- How long the noise can be heard
- How often you can hear the noise
- What the noise sounds like
- Where you can hear the noise and
- How the noise is affecting you
The best way to provide this information is by completing an Evidence diary (logsheets) for a period of two weeks. After you have lodged your complaint Council will provide you with a template to complete your diary. Once the two week diary has been submitted, Council will use the details to provide a response on the next steps in the investigation.