Noise Pollution

Noise Nuisance

Noise is unwanted sound. Everyone reacts differently to noise. Noise can disturb neighbours, disrupt their sleep and interfere with their normal daily activities. What can be unbearable for one person may pass almost unnoticed by another. How annoyed we become depends on the loudness, time, place and frequency of the noise. Noise can even impact on people’s health, especially the very young and the elderly.

Should you have a problem with noise, always attempt to discuss the issue directly with the person responsible for the nuisance in order to try and achieve a solution. Give them an appropriate time frame to do something about it. If the situation hasn't changed after that time, it may then be necessary to contact the appropriate authority.

Who is responsible?

Council only has jurisdiction to act on certain noise pollution issues and shares the responsibility of noise control with other government bodies. Examples of noise nuisance where Council can regulate include:

  • Noise from air-conditioners
  • Building work noise
  • Refrigeration equipment noise
  • Regulated devices (power tools, mowers, etc.)
  • Swimming pools and spas
  • Animal noise (e.g. barking dogs) See barking dogs
  • Water pumps
  • Noise from trail bikes on Council land

Noise complaints not handled by Council

Amplified devices and people - music, loud stereos, parties, rowdy behaviour & burglar alarms Contact the Queensland Police on 13 14 44
Premises with a liquor licence Contact the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation on 13 QGOV (13 74 68)
State government properties or activities that are regulated by the state government Contact the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection on 1300 130 372
Off-road noisy vehicles and trail bikes Contact the Queensland Police on 13 14 44
On-road noisy vehicles and trail bikes Contact the Department of Transport and Main Roads on 13 23 80
Native animals and birds, such as crows Contact the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection on 1300 130 372
Aircraft noise Contact your local office of Air Services Australia

Acceptable noise levels and complaints

Noise can disrupt sleep and interfere with daily activities. If loud enough, it can also have a negative impact on people's health.

Guide to decibel levels

Some noise regulations include a maximum loudness in decibels. Here are the usual decibel levels for everyday situations:

  • quiet room in the house - 20 to 30 decibels
  • daytime in a quiet residential street - 35 to 45 decibels
  • large busy office - 50 to 60 decibels
  • lawn mower from 15 metres away - 70 decibels

Swimming pool and spa pumps

Noise Category Allowable noise times and levels
Air conditioning equipment and refrigeration equipment

Any day

  • 7am–10pm: noise no louder than 5 decibels above the background noise level
  • 10pm–7am: noise no louder than 3 decibels above the background noise level
Amplifier devices other than an indoor venue or open-air event

Monday to Friday

  • 7am–10pm: regulated devices can be used
  • 10pm–7am: no audible noise permitted

Saturday to Sunday

  • 8am–6pm: regulated devices can be used
  • 6pm–8am: no audible noise permitted
Indoor venues

Any day

  • 7am–10pm: noise no louder than 5 decibels above the background noise level
  • 10pm–12am: either 3 decibels above the background noise level
  • 12am–7am: no audible noise permitted
Open-air events

Any day

  • 7am–10pm: noise no louder than 70 decibels
  • 10pm–12am: no more than the lesser of 50 decibels or 10 decibels above background noise level
  • 12am–7am: no audible noise permitted
Building work (builder/owner builder only):

Monday to Saturday

  • 6.30am–6.30pm: noise permitted
  • 6.30pm–6.30am: no audible noise permitted

Sunday and public holidays

  • No audible noise permitted
Regulated devices (including building work for residential purposes) Regulated device means any of the following— a compressor, a ducted vacuuming system, a generator, a grass-cutter, an impacting tool, a leaf-blower, a mulcher, an oxyacetylene burner, an electrical, mechanical or pneumatic power tool.

Monday to Saturday

  • 7am–7pm: regulated devices can be used
  • 7pm–7am: no audible noise permitted

Sunday and public holidays

  • 8am–7pm: regulated devices can be used
  • 7pm–8am: no audible noise permitted

Any day

  • 7am–7pm: noise no louder than 5 decibels above background noise level
  • 7pm–10pm: no more than 3 decibels above background noise level
  • 10pm–7am: no audible noise permitted

Exemptions

The Environmental Protection Act 1994 provides exemptions from noise created from traffic signals, railway signals and road noise.

Other local government activity exemptions include:

  • road maintenance
  • maintaining water and sewage services
  • preventing or removing public health risks

How to lodge a Service Request

If you would like to lodge a service Request in relation to a noise nuisance, then please contact Council on phone (07) 4189 9100.

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