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  1. Home
  2. Health and Environment
  3. Environmental Matters
  4. Environmental Nuisance
  Back

Environmental Nuisance

Environmental nuisance is a term used in the Environmental Protection Act to explain unreasonable interference (or likely interference) with an environmental value caused by emissions of aerosols, fumes, light, noise, odour, particles (including dust) or smoke; or unhealthy, offensive or unsightly conditions caused by contamination.

Environmental values include the amenity of a place, such as a house, that make it suitable for anyone to sleep, study or relax there.

This page contains information on the following:

  • Noise
  • Light
  • Dust, smoke and odour 
  • How to prevent causing environmental nuisance at your home

Council will investigate requests in relation to residential and some commercial properties. If a business has an environmental licence with Department of Environment and Science, they will need to be contacted directly (Phone: 13 74 68).

As part of Council’s investigation, you may be required to complete a diary over a week or two to provide information on the extent of the nuisance.  This information must accurately portray the situation as it could be used as evidence if the issue escalates. Council officers will provide advice if the diary is required.

If the nuisance is from one of the following, please contact the relevant agency:

Noise Type Agency
  • Parties, amplified music
  • Cars (not on the road)
  • House alarms
  • Trail bikes on private property
  • Musical instruments

Queensland Police Service
Ph: 131 444

  • Licensed premises such as nightclubs and hotels

Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation, Department of Justice and Attorney General
Website: https://www.business.qld.gov.au/industries/hospitality-tourism-sport/liquor-gaming/complaints-venues

  • Aircraft

Air Services Australia
Ph: 1800 802 584
Website: http://www.airservicesaustralia.com/contact-us-2/

Noise

Noise is an inescapable part of modern human life and rare moments of solitude are usually disturbed by noise of some sort. There are legal limits on the amount and type of noise made in our community, as well as restrictions on the times noise can be made. While the noise may seem excessive or too loud to some, there are allowable noise limits in place. These laws try to provide a balance between the protection of our quality of life, and the reasonable pursuit of activities that have the potential to annoy others.

The Environmental Protection Act 1994 has provided default noise standards.  Council will investigate each of the following based on these standards.

Equipment or Activity Description Allowable Noise Limits

Air conditioning unit

Noise from air-conditioning unit

On any day:

  • 7.00 am - 10.00 pm:  No noise louder than 5 decibels above the background level
  • 10.00 pm - 7.00 am: No noise louder than 3 decibels above the background noise level

Amplified Devices - other than at an open air event or indoor venue (Council enforcement)

Includes loud-hailers, megaphones, public address systems, etc

Excludes education facilities

Business Day:

  • 7.00 am - 10.00 pm:  No noise louder than 10 decibels above the background level
  • 10.00 pm - 7.00 am: No audible noise

Any other day:

  • 8.00 am - 6.00 pm:  No noise louder than 10 decibels above the background level
  • 6.00 pm - 8.00 am: No audible noise 

Building work

Includes building work related to the construction of new buildings by a registered builder, works being undertaken by an owner builder or work being undertaken by professional trades persons at an established dwelling.

Typically includes activities such as concrete pouring, drilling, cutting etc. Does not include general noise generated by builders just being on a site eg noise from unloading equipment, having music playing at work sites etc

Monday to Saturday:

  • 6.30 am - 6.30 pm:  Noise permitted
  • 6.30 pm - 6.30 am: No audible noise permitted

Sundays and Public holidays:

  • No audible noise permitted

Machinery and Power Tools (Regulated devices)

Includes compressors and generators, ducted vacuuming systems, grass cutters (such as tractors, lawn mowers and edge cutters), impacting tools (such as hammers and nail guns), leaf blowers and mulchers, oxyacetylene burners and electrical, mechanical or pneumatic power tools (such as chainsaws, drills and sanders).

Monday to Saturday:

  • 7.00 am - 7.00 pm:  Regulated devices can be used
  • 7.00 pm - 7.00 am: No audible noise permitted

Sundays and Public holidays:

  • 8.00 am - 7.00 pm:  Regulated devices can be used
  • 7.00 pm - 8.00 am: No audible noise permitted

Operating power boat engine at a premise

Owners or repairers of power boat engines may run them for testing or maintenance, such as flushing the engine.

Monday to Saturday:

  • 7.00 am - 7.00 pm:  Noise permitted
  • 7.00 pm - 7.00 am: No audible noise permitted

Sundays and Public holidays:

  • 8.00 am - 6.30 pm:  Noise permitted
  • 6.30 pm - 8.00 am: No audible noise permitted

Pumps (includes swimming pool pumps and spa blowers)

Includes an electrical, mechanical or pneumatic pump (liquid pump, air pump or heat pump).

Any day:

  • 7.00am - 7.00 pm: No noise louder than 5 decibels above the background noise level
  • 7.00 pm - 10.00 pm: No noise louder than 3 decibels above the background noise level
  • 10.00 pm - 7.00 am: No audible noise permitted   

Refrigeration Equipment

Includes refrigeration equipment on properties such as cold rooms and truck-mounted units.

Any day:

  • 7.00am - 10.00pm: No noise louder than 5 decibels above the background noise level
  • 10.00 pm - 7.00 am: No noise louder than 3 decibels above the background noise level

Light

Lighting is often important in urban areas for safety reasons, however excessive lighting from office buildings or security lighting in residential or commercial areas can be a nuisance and may reduce the quality of life for some people.

Council is responsible for regulating nuisance light emissions from residential premises and most commercial/industrial premises.

When investigating a light complaint, council will consider:

  • the amount of light
  • the length of time and rate of emission and the light's characteristics and qualities
  • the sensitivity of the environment and the impact of the light
  • views of any other neighbours or complainants
  • any development permit conditions of approval.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates nuisance light emissions from premises holding a licence with the EPA.

Dust, smoke and odour

The Environmental Protection laws also cover other unreasonable releases of various emissions which include dust, smoke, fumes, and odour. Examples include:

  • Smoke or ash from burning off wastes
  • Smoke, ash or fire hazard from backyard burning
  • Aerosols from paint cans and other fine mists
  • Fumes from petrol or diesel
  • Dust from construction works, and
  • Odour from composting or accumulated rubbish.

Smoke, odour or fumes emitted from residential cooking are exempt from the nuisance legislation.

Dust from demolition and construction work, if badly managed, can cause environmental nuisance and impact those living adjacent or near the work site. 

How to prevent causing environmental nuisance at your home

If an excessive or continuous noise complaint is made against you, it is important that you take any necessary steps to reduce noise to acceptable levels. If you fail to do so, financial penalties may apply.

The below handy tips are relevant for most equipment or activities that can cause excessive or continuous noise. For more specific tips, see the applicable heading below.

  • If you are going to be doing an activity that may result in prolonged noise, speak to your neighbours and let them know in advance.
  • Find out when your neighbours are most disturbed by noise and limit operation during these times if possible.
  • Where possible equipment and activities should not be run near neighbouring bedroom windows or offices.
  • Regular maintenance of equipment can decrease noise levels and improve effectiveness.
  • Install a solid fence or barrier (no gaps) between you and your neighbour to reduce the noise level.
  • Consider enclosing the equipment in a ventilated wood box with an absorbent lining, if applicable. Contact the equipment manufacturer or installer for advice.
  • Modification of some equipment may reduce noise. Contact the manufacturer or installer for advice.
  • Ensure noise is only being generated within the allowable hours as outlined in the table above.

Air conditioning unit

Replace the air-conditioner with a quieter model.

Amplified devices

Alternatives may be available that are quieter or do not disturb neighbours. For example, telephone repeater bells can be replaced with visual alarms to alert the receiver of a call.

Building and Construction

When buying equipment, consider a quieter option. Manufacturers often label equipment with the noise level or can provide this information. Alternatives such as electrical equipment may be quieter than petrol models.

Machinery and Power Tools

When buying equipment, consider if a quieter option is available. Manufacturers often label equipment with the noise level or can provide this information. Alternatives such as electrical equipment may be quieter than petrol models.

Operating power boat engine at a premises

  • An enclosed garage or shed may be a more suitable alternative than outside, depending on its location.
  • If extensive running of a motor is required, consider an alternative location.

Pumps

  • If it’s a swimming pool pump, know how long the pool filter needs to run for and set a timer to run at times that don’t disturb your neighbour. Talk to your local pool shop or pool pump manufacturer for information on the optimal running of the pump.
  • Older pumps can be noisy and an undersized pump may need to run longer to maintain water quality. Replacing the pump with a quieter or appropriately sized model may reduce noise levels.

Refrigeration Equipment

  • The noise level of refrigeration equipment can vary significantly depending on the type and size of the unit. Units operating on electricity or with an electric option are quieter than engine driven units.
  • For truck mounted units, consider parking at a depot or away from residential areas.

Contact Council's Customer Service Centre

Please contact the Customer Service team by phone on (07) 4783 9800 or email by clicking on the Contact Us button below. Our normal office hours are Monday to Friday 8:00AM to 5:00PM not including public holidays.

Contact Us

Legislation Related Links

  • Local Laws Database
  • Queensland Legislation
  • Federal Register of Legislation

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(07) 4783 9800

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