Noise Pollution

Overview

If you have concerns or are affected by noise, please log a noise pollution complaint. Alternatively, contact Council on 02 9911 3555 or via service@lanecove.nsw.gov.au to discuss.

The NSW Environment Protection Authority also has a range of resources available for dealing with noise, whether your complaint relates to your neighbours, alarms or motor vehicles.

The current restrictions on different types of noise are available on the following pages.

Hours of construction

It is best to check the individual development consents but in general, building work, demolition or vegetation removal is only to be carried out between:

  • Monday to Friday (inclusive) 7:00am to 5:30pm
  • Saturday 7:00am to 4:00pm
Major Residential Flat Buildings

It is best to check the individual development consent but in general all demolition, building construction work, including earthworks, deliveries of building materials to and from the site to be restricted as follows:-

  • Monday to Friday (inclusive) 7:00am to 5:30pm

High noise generating activities, including rock breaking and saw cutting be restricted between

  • 8:00am to 5:00pm with a respite period between 12 noon to 1:30pm Monday to Friday
  • Saturday 8:00am to 12 noon with NO high noise generating activities, including excavation, haulage truck movement, rock picking, sawing, jack hammering or pile driving to be undertaken.

Failure to fully comply will result in the issue of a breach of consent penalty infringement notice.

A Notice/Sign showing permitted working hours and types of work permitted during those hours, including the applicant’s phone number, project manager or site foreman, shall be displayed at the front of the site.

The principal certifier must ensure building work, demolition or vegetation removal is not carried out on Sundays and public holidays, except where there is an emergency.

Unless otherwise approved within a construction site management plan, construction vehicles, machinery, goods or materials must not be delivered to the site outside the approved hours of site works.

Note: Any variation to the hours of work requires Council’s approval.

Air conditioners

A person must not operate an air conditioner on residential premises in such a manner that it emits noise that can be heard within a room in any other residential premises:

  • Before 8:00am or after 10:00pm on any Sunday or Public holiday; or
  • Before 7:00am or after 10:00pm on any other day

Music

Music is prohibited between midnight and 8:00am on Friday, Saturday and any day preceding a public holiday. It's restricted from 10:00pm to 8:00am on any other day.

Power tools including lawnmowers and the like

Use of power tools is prohibited between 8:00pm and 7:00am on weekdays and Saturdays. On Sundays and public holidays, they are not permitted before 8:00am and after 8:00pm.

Swimming pools

A person must not operate a swimming pool pump on residential premises in such a manner that it emits noise that it can be heard within a room in any other residential premises:

Before 8:00am or after 8:00pm on any Sunday or public holiday; or
Before 7:00am or after 8:00pm on any other day

Strata schemes

The Strata Schemes Management Act 1996 sets out a process for resolving disputes. This includes mediation and formal orders by the strata schemes adjudicator and/or the residential tribunal.

Under the Act, each strata must have a set of by-laws. The model by-law concerning noise provides that "an owner or occupier must not make noise at any time within their lot or on common property that is likely to disturb peaceful enjoyment of another resident or anyone using common property".

The best approach for resolving a noise dispute within a strata scheme is to try to talk to your neighbour first.

You can speak to the owners' corporation or the residential tribunal if that is not successful.

If the noise continues, you can apply for mediation through the NSW Department of Fair Trading.