Noise

Noise can impact our everyday lives, affecting everything from sleep to stress levels and our hearing. Any type of noise can be considered ‘noise pollution’ depending on time, context and volume.

What is council’s role in noise control?

  • In some circumstances, council is responsible for responding to and investigating noise complaints
  • Under the Environmental Planning Legislation in relation to the potential impacts of noise, Council is responsible for assessing a development application for a new building or land use activity
  • Council can enforce regulatory powers made available to the council under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997, to resolve noise activities, which adversely impact on you

Council investigates various types of noise complaints including:

  • neighbourhood noise (loud music, drums, bands, machinery, cars etc)
  • equipment (air conditioners, refrigeration units, pool/spa pumps etc)
  • factories, car / building alarms
  • animals, such as barking dogs
Please Note: Noise-generating activities undertaken by public authorities such as the Roads and Traffic Authority and State Rail Authority are not the responsibility of Council. These activities are regulated by the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water. Call the Pollution Line on 131555 for further information or to report an incident.

How can Council help stop unwanted noise?

Council is provided with a range of enforcement options including the service of:

  • a noise control notice
  • a noise abatement direction
  • a prevention notice
  • a compliance cost notice

Non-compliance with these notices may lead to legal action being initiated or a penalty infringement notice being issued.

What to do if you have a noise complaint

In the first instance, see if it is possible to amicably address the situation with whoever is causing the noise in order to maintain good relations.

If this isn’t an option or is unsuccessful you can request that Council investigate the noise matter by calling Council’s Customer Service Centre on 02 6767 5555.

Tamworth Regional Council will deal with all complaints confidentially. However, please be aware that in some cases, whereby the matter involves legal action, you may need to provide a written statement and/or make a court appearance. Council officers will always seek to negotiate a solution in regards to noise complaints, however if required they may use regulatory tools under the Protection of the Environment Act 1997.

What is a Noise Abatement Order?

The Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 also enables an individual to seek a Noise Abatement Order from the Local Court.

You can make a complaint to a magistrate at the Local Court that there is noise that is impacting your environment. If you’d like to obtain a Noise Abatement Order, you should make an appointment with the Chamber Magistrate at the Local Court who will advise of the proceedings.

Noise restrictions


Type of Noise  Times during which restrictions apply
 Power tools including swimming / spa pool pump  Before 8:00am or after 8:00pm on Sundays and public holidays. 
Before 7:00am or after 8:00pm on any other day.
 
 Musical instruments and electrical amplified sound equipment   Before 8:00am and after midnight on any Friday, Saturday or day immediately before a public holiday.
Before 8:00am and after 10:00pm on any other day.
 
 Air conditioners   Before 8:00am or after 10:00pm on weekend and public holidays.
Before 7:00am or after 10:00pm on any other day.
 
 Motor vehicle intruder alarms   No more than 90 seconds if the vehicle was manufactured before 1 September 1997.
No more than 45 seconds if the vehicle was manufactured on or after 1 September 1997.
 
 Building intruder alarms   No more than 10 minutes if the alarm was installed before 1 December 1997. 
No more than 5 minutes if the alarm was installed on or after 1 December 1997.
 
 Motor Vehicle use on residential premises
(Does not apply to vehicle entering or leaving a premises)
 
  Before 8:00am or after 8:00pm on any Saturday Sunday or public holiday.
Before 7:00am or after 8:00pm on any other day.
 
 Refrigeration unit fitted to a motor vehicle   Before 8:00am or after 8:00pm on any Saturday, Sunday or public holiday.
Before 7:00am or after 8:00pm on any other day.
 
 Lawn Mowers   Before 7:00am or after 8:00pm on weekdays.
Before 8:00am or after 8:00pm on weekends and public holidays.
 


According to the Protection of the Environment Operations (Noise Control) Regulation 2008 the actual use of equipment or vehicles outside the hours indicated above does not in itself constitute an offence.

For further advice or information contact:

• The DECCW Pollution Line on 131555
• Council’s Environmental Health Officers on (02) 6767 5555