Solve the problem amicably

In the first instance, you should try to solve a noise dispute amicably by talking it over with whoever is causing the noise. Often people don't realise they are causing a problem; they may be only too happy to do what they can to help.

If this approach is not successful and where noise is a recurrent problem, you may, depending on the circumstances, consider contacting a Community Justice Centre (CJC). These are government-funded but independent centres that specialise in settling differences between neighbours without getting into complicated legal processes.

Community Justice Centre Directorate
Level 8, Goodsell Building, 8-12 Chifley Square, Sydney 2000
Tel: (02) 9228 7455
Fax: (02) 9228 7456

Community Justice Centre - Sydney Region Office
Level 13, 227 Elizabeth Street, Sydney 2000
Tel: (02) 9262 7844 or 1800 671 964
Fax: (02) 9262 7526

Lodge a complaint with Council

If you have been unable to resolve the noise concerns amicably with the person causing the noise, you may lodge a complaint with Council, which will be investigated by Council's Environmental Health or Compliance Officers.

Any complaints should be provided to Council in writing and include full details of the noise concerns and impacts and the action taken to try to resolve the concerns with the person causing the noise.

It is also recommended that a diary be maintained over a period of time, to record the time, duration, nature and impact of the noise.

Council officers will investigate the concerns and try to resolve or reduce the noise levels and impacts by liaising with the person causing the noise.

If the noise concerns are not reasonably addressed and the Council officer considers the noise to be excessive and/or offensive, a notice or direction may be issued under the Protection of the Environment Operations (POEO) Act 1997, requiring measures to be taken to address the excessive or offensive noise to Council's satisfaction.

Failure to comply with a notice or direction issued by Council is an offence, which could result in significant penalties.

Seek a Noise Abatement Order

In some cases, it may be more appropriate and effective for a person affected by excessive or offensive noise to seek their own noise abatement order from the local court, particularly if the noise is having a substantial impact and or if the noise is intermittent in nature or caused by particular actions of another person.

Under section 268 of the Protection of the Environment Operations (POEO) Act, if you are affected by offensive noise, you can seek a noise abatement order. To apply for an order, contact your local court (listed under "Local courts" in the White Pages). You may also consider asking your legal advisor for help. You can contact the registry staff at your local court who will explain the process to you. There are fees for applying for a noise abatement order.

If the court is satisfied that there is offensive noise or that it is likely to recur, it may order the person to stop the noise or prevent a recurrence. Failure to comply with the order could lead to prosecution.

If you decide on this course of action, speak to your legal adviser or make an appointment to see the chamber magistrate at the Local Court in the district where the noisy premises are located.

If the noise is on 'one-off' problem, you could consider contacting the police or your local council.

For instance, if you are excessively disturbed by a particular noise incident (like a noisy party), you may contact the police who can use section 276 of the POEO Act to direct a person making the offensive noise to stop. A Noise Abatement Direction of this kind may be issued at any time of the day or night and can remain in force for up to 28 days from the time it is issued. Any person who fails to comply with such a direction can be fined up to $3300 or issued with a $200 on-the-spot fine (or $400 for a corporation).

Keep a noise diary

Council will often request complainants to keep a noise diary detailing:

• Date
• Time
• Duration
• Nature or type of noise
• Location of noise source
• Other identifying features (eg: registration of a noisy delivery van etc)

The diary should be kept for a length of time (around two to three weeks) and then forwarded to Council. The information is used to determine the frequency, offensiveness and whether the complaint is reasonable.

Breaches of the noise offence provisions of the Protection of the Environment Operations (POEO) Act can attract fines of up to $30, 000 in the case of an individual and $60,000 in the case of a corporation, with additional fines for continuing offences.

Contact the Police

If the noise is a 'one-off' problem, you could consider contacting the police who can direct a person making an offensive noise to stop.

A Noise Abatement Direction of this kind may be issued at any time of the day or night and can remain in force for up to 28 days from the time it is issued.

Any person who fails to comply with such a direction can be fined up to $3300 or issued with a $200 on-the-spot fine (or $400 for a corporation).