Noise

Council receives and investigates a number of noise complaints each year. Complaints vary in nature but are often associated with amplified music, barking dogs and equipment such as pool pumps and air conditioners.

 Noise example Example: A noisy air conditioner near a neighbour's window. Image: www.yourhome.gov.au

Why is noise a problem?

Noise can be classed as offensive if it is disturbing other people. Under the Protection of the Environment Operations (POEO) Act 1997, offensive noise is defined as:

noise that, by reason of its level, nature, character or quality, or the time at which it is made, or any other circumstances:

  1. is harmful to (or is likely to be harmful to) a person who is outside the premises from which it is emitted, or
  2. interferes unreasonably with (or is likely to interfere unreasonably with) the comfort or repose of a person who is outside the premises from which it is emitted, or
  3. that is of as level, nature, character or quality prescribed by the regulations or
  4. that is made at a time, or in other circumstances, prescribed by the regulations.

For example:

  • Loud music at night can disturb neighbours. If this disturbance is regular, the noise would be classified as offensive, and you may be asked to turn the music down.
  • Loud power tools may prevent a neighbour from resting. You may be asked to use your tools inside a shed so that the noise is contained.

Time restrictions - nights and public holidays

Noise during the night has a different impact to daytime noise. More people are home and trying to sleep or relax, so the same level of noise may be more disturbing. Night time noise is regulated, and there are certain types of noise that should not be heard inside a neighbour's residence at certain times.

   Weekday  Weekend or public holiday 
Before After Before After
Power tools and equipment
e.g. garden tools, electric or pneumatic tools,  compressors and pumps
7 AM 8 PM 8 AM 8 PM
Musical instruments and electrically amplified sound equipment
e.g. radios, TVs and home theatre systems
8 AM 10 PM 8 AM Midnight before a weekend or public holiday
Air conditioners and water heaters 7 AM 10 PM 8 AM 10PM
Motor vehicles (except when entering or leaving residential premises) 7 AM 8 PM 8 AM 8 PM
Refrigeration units fitted to motor vehicles 7 AM 8 PM 8 AM 8 PM

 

More information can be found in "Dealing with Neighbourhood Noise" on the EPA website.

What can you do if noise is a problem for you?

The first step you can take is to talk to the person/s responsible for making the noise. Often people do not realise they are being noisy or are not aware of the effect it may have on other people.

It is strongly recommended that you attempt to resolve the issue before involving Council, as a third party can create tension that would otherwise have been avoided.

Contacts for Noise Pollution

Noise Source Contact
Industrial/Commercial noise  
Large industrial complexes EPA Environment Line:  131 555
Smaller factories and backyard workshops Bathurst Regional Council:  6333 6111
Commercial premises - ventilation, air conditioning, refridgeration Bathurst Regional Council:  6333 6111
 Most pubs, clubs or licensed premises - loud music or patron noise Liquor & Gaming NSW
1300 024 720
Email
 Transport noise  
Aircraft in flight, taxiing, taking off and landing National Noise Inquiry Line: 1300 302 240

 Noisy motor vehicles (including trail bikes) in a public place, such as:

  • roads, verges and car parks
  • off road, including parks and reserves
EPA Environment Line: 131 555
Police Assistance Line: 131 444
Bathurst Regional Council 6333 6111
 Noisy motor vehicles (including trail bikes) on private property Police Assistance Line: 131 444
Bathurst Regional Council 6333 6111
Noise source  
Noisy exhaust EPA Environment Line 131 555
Online form
 Road traffic:  local roads Bathurst Regional Council
 Road traffic:  freeways, tollways, main roads Transport for NSW
Rail Noise EPA Environment Line: 131 555
Rail Greenline: 1300 656 999
Australian Rail Track Corporation EnviroLine: 1300 550 402
Construction Noise  

Road construction:

  • freeways and tollways
  • main roads
  • other roads
EPA Environment Line 131 555
Transport for NSW 
Building construction Bathurst Regional Council 6333 6111
EPA Environment Line: 131 555
Major public infrastructure EPA Environment Line: 131 555
Public sporting and entrainment venues  
Motor sports and gun/rifle/pistol clubs Bathurst Regional Council 6333 6111
Sporting facilities Bathurst Regional Council 6333 6111
Concert facilities Bathurst Regional Council 6333 6111
Neighbourhood noise  
Noise from residential premises, animal noise, barking dogs, power tools, loud music, air conditioners, pool pumps, etc. Bathurst Regional Council 6333 6111
Police Assistance Line 131 444
Building intruder or car alarms Bathurst Regional Council 6333 6111
Police Assistance Line 131 444

 

If Council receives a noise complaint from a member of the local community, the complaints will be largely investigated using the provisions of the Protection of the Environment Operations (POEO) Act 1997 and associated regulation. In responding to noise complaints, an authorised officer will make an assessment of the noise and determine what a 'reasonable person' would consider offensive.

Making a complaint

To make a noise complaint, contact Council's Environment Section on 6333 6211.

Please note:

  • All complaints are dealt with confidentially.
  • Council requires that you provide contact information so that we may follow up during the resolution process. It is Council's Policy that anonymous complaints are not investigated.
  • Complainants should be aware that, in some circumstances, a written statement and/or court appearance by the complainant may be required.

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