Residential noise
It's an offence to make unreasonable noise from a residence.
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) sets the rules for residential noise. Time restrictions on noise depend on the cause of the sound. Visit the EPA website for prohibited times for residential noise such as mowing, chainsaws and machinery.
Noisy neighbours
If you experience concerns with noisy neighbours, the best approach is to talk with them first. You may feel anxious about approaching them, but quite often they are not aware they are disturbing you.
Mediation
If you cannot reach a solution with your neighbour, the Department of Justice offers a free and confidential mediation service. The service is a simpler and cheaper alternative to taking civil disputes through the courts.
The process does require the voluntary participation of both parties. However, mediation through the service results in 85% of disputes ending in agreements. For more information, visit the Disputes Victoria website or contact them on 1300 372 888.
Next steps
Should your attempt to talk to the person or seek mediation with them fail, Council and other authorities do have powers under both local and state legislation to investigate your concern.
Report to Council
Before you contact Council about a noise complaint, you must complete a 4-week noise log and submit it with your complaint.
The noise log helps us determine the trend and scale of the problem, and to progress your complaint.
Noise logs
You can complete a noise log at any time, but it must cover 4 consecutive weeks.
Please complete an entry for each day, including days where the noise does not occur.
If your noise log is not complete, we will not proceed with an investigation or make contact with the other persons.
These logs can also be used as evidence in a court of law should a noise issue be required to be heard by a magistrate.
You can submit your noise log to Council by:
- email at [email protected]
- post to Health Services at 511 Burwood Highway, Wantirna South VIC 3152
Once you submit a noise log to our Health team, one of our officers will review the log and contact you about the next steps. We aim to contact you within 3 business days.
Anonymity
In most cases, the complainant’s identity will remain confidential. A complainant's identity would only become known if legal enforcement proceedings are initiated.
Barking dogs
Council can investigate issues with barking dogs. You can find more information on our website.
Other noise issues
Council cannot investigate the following:
One-off noises
Council does not investigate complaints for single incidents of noise. Examples include:
- bouncing a basketball
- a loud conversation
- vacuuming late at night
For Council to investigate a noise complaint, you must complete a noise log to show a trend in noise and how it affects you.
Late night music and party noise
If you are being disturbed by after hours noise from music and parties, call the Police Assistance Line on 131 444.
Victoria Police can visit the property and order them to stop/reduce the volume through powers under the Environment Protection Act 1970.
Vehicles entering or leaving properties (including warming up)
Noise associated with vehicles entering and leaving gates or garage doors are not investigated by Council or police. These matters are resolved through discussions with your neighbour.
If you are not able to resolve the matter, you could contact the Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria on 1300 372 888.
Victoria Police and the EPA are responsible for ensuring registered vehicles are roadworthy and follow with noise emissions rules. For further information call EPA on 1300 372 842.
Commercial or industrial noise
The EPA investigates commercial and industrial noise. This includes noise from:
- offices
- shops
- factories
- mines and quarries
- farms
To report noise from a commercial, industrial or trade premises, call EPA’s 24-hour hotline on 1300 372 842.
Concrete pours out of prescribed hours
The EPA sets standards for construction and demolition site noise. Concrete pours are considered ‘unavoidable works’ under the EPA Noise Control Guidelines.
For information or detail on the duration and/or finishing time contact the site supervisor. Contact details of the site supervisor should be available on the temporary fencing.
People noise
Concerns with noise from people are best resolved by talking directly with your neighbour. This includes:
- fighting
- foul language
- loitering
- domestic disputes
Police can direct offenders to stop if the noise is considered unreasonable.
Need help?
Contact us and we will get back to you.
Or call our Customer Service team on 9298 8000.
