Noise Pollution - Noise Nuisance

							                                                                                                         Gladstone Office
                                                                                           101 Goondoon Street, Gladstone
                                                                                            PO Box 29, Gladstone Qld 4680
                                                                                   Phone (07) 4970 0700 Fax (07) 4975 7106
                                                       Email info@gladstonerc.qld.gov.au Website www.gladstonerc.qld.gov.au



                                                                                    Noise Pollution


Noise Nuisance                                                      Ways You Can Reduce Noise

Noise from residential activities or equipment may                  Limiting Hours of Use
disturb neighbours, disrupt their sleep and interfere               Talk to neighbours to find out if there are particular times
with their normal daily activities (listening to the TV,            when the noise disturbs them. Most people are
talking on the telephone). If loud enough, it can                   concerned about noise at night or early in the morning
impact on people’s health and wellbeing. This fact                  when they are trying to sleep
sheet includes information that may assist residents
to reduce noise emissions and meet legal                            Location
requirements.                                                       Carry out the noisy activity as far as possible from
                                                                    neighbours and away from sensitive areas (eg, bedroom
                                                                    windows). It may be possible to carry out the activity in a
Be A Good Neighbour                                                 garage or shed.

Take the time to talk to neighbours. Find out what                  Selecting Quieter Equipment
concerns they may have and ask them for suggestions                 Replacing the noisy equipment with a quieter or
about solving any problems. In many cases an                        appropriately sized model may help solve the problem.
agreement can be reached that satisfies everyone’s
needs.                                                              Maintenance
                                                                    Lack of maintenance can cause higher noise levels and
The Law                                                             reduce the effectiveness of the equipment.

                                                                    Fences or Barriers
The Environmental Protection Act 1994 introduced by                 A solid fence can reduce noise levels. If the fence has
the State Government includes guidelines for noise                  any gaps, this method won’t be as effective.
nuisances. Council is legally required to enforce these
limits when the noise is emitted from residential                   Enclosures
premises. If issues between neighbours cannot be                    Enclosing the activity or equipment (eg, in a wooden
resolved and further complaints are made, Council will              structure with absorbent lining) can be very effective and
have to investigate. If the noise is found to be a                  relatively inexpensive, although it is important that
nuisance, Council may issue the residence causing the               adequate ventilation is provided. Ask advice from the
noise with a 'direction notice'. A direction notice will detail     manufacturer or installer.
what offence has taken place, and the time frame that
the offender has to rectify the problem. If the direction           Modifications
notice is not complied with, Council may then issue an              Sometimes modifications can be made to the activity or
on the spot fine.                                                   equipment to reduce noise. Discuss this option with the
                                                                    manufacturer or installer.
The Criteria
                                                                    Alternatives
When investigating a noise complaint, Council will                  Alternative activities or equipment may be effective
consider:                                                           without producing much noise; in some circumstances
• The amount of noise being emitted                                 consideration should be given to carrying out the activity
• The duration and rate of emission and the noise’s                 inside or at another location.
characteristics and qualities
• The sensitivity of the environment into which the noise           For further information on this topic, please contact
is being emitted and the impact that it has or may have.            Gladstone Regional Council's - Environmental
• Views of any other neighbours or complainants                     Health Section on 4970 0700.