Noise

Nuisance noise can be found in a variety of forms, such as motor vehicles, machinery, stereos, animals and persons.

Residents annoyed by noise should try to resolve the problem amicably by talking to whoever is causing the noise.  If the noise continues, contact Council on 03 5422 0333 or, if necessary, contact your local Police station.

The Environment Protection Authority's Annoyed By Noise? booklet can help you find the best way to address common residential noise issues.

Below is a list of prohibited times for the use of certain items that can cause noise (as listed on page 11 of the EPA's booklet).

Prohibited times

Environment Protection (Residential Noise) Regulations 2008

Group 1 

Prescribed items

A motor vehicle (except a vehicle moving in or out of premises), lawn mower or other grass-cutting device and any equipment or appliance not falling within Group 2 having an internal combustion engine.

Prohibited times

  • Monday to Friday: before 7am and after 8pm.
  • Weekends and public holidays: before 9am and after 8pm.

Group 2 

Prescribed items

An electric power tool, chain or circular saw, gas or air compressor, pneumatic power tool, hammer and any other impacting tool and grinding equipment.

Prohibited times

  • Monday to Friday: before 7am and after 8pm.
  • Weekends and public holidays: before 9am and after 8pm. 

Group 3 

Prescribed items

A domestic air conditioner or evaporative cooler, heat pump, swimming pool pump, spa pump, water pump other than a pump being used to fill a header tank, domestic heating equipment (including central heating and hot water systems) and a domestic vacuum cleaner.

Prohibited times

  • Monday to Friday: before 7am and after 10pm.
  • Weekends and public holidays: before 9am and after 10pm.

Group 4 

Prescribed items

A musical instrument and any electrical amplified sound reproducing equipment including a stereo radio, television or public address system. 

Prohibited times

  • Monday to Thursday: before 7am and after 10pm.
  • Friday: before 7am and after 11pm. 
  • Saturday and public holidays: before 9am and after 11pm. 
  • Sunday: before 9am and after 10pm.

Group 5 

Prescribed items

Any electrical equipment or appliance not falling within Group 2, Group 3 or Group 4, including electric gardening equipment, but not electric equipment or appliances for personal care or grooming or for the heating, refrigeration or preparation of food.

Prohibited times

  • Monday to Friday: before 7am and after 8pm.
  • Weekends and public holidays: before 9am and after 8pm.

Note:  The prohibited times apply when the noise can be heard from inside a habitable room of another residential premises. Any residential noise can still be considered unreasonable outside of the prohibited times.

Powered recreational vehicles including motorbikes

You need a permit to use or allow others to use a powered recreational vehicle on land owned or occupied by yourself, if:

(a) that land is within a residential zone, commercial zone or industrial zone under the Planning Scheme, or the land is affected by an environmental significance overlay, heritage overlay, vegetation protection overlay, or significant landscape overlay under the Planning Scheme; or

(b) that land is less than 4 hectares in size.

Conditions of use:

  • vehicles must not cause nuisance to others because of sound, smell, dust, smoke, soil erosion or any other factor that causes a nuisance, whether a permit is required or not
  • vehicles must not be used within a distance of 500 metres of any neighbouring dwelling
  • vehicles must be fitted with a muffler that meets Council's specifications
  • no more than 2 vehicles may be used at any one time on land that is less than 20 hectares
  • no more than 4 vehicles may be used at any one time on land that is more than 20 hectares
  • vehicles may only be used for 1 hour continuously, after which no vehicles may be used for a minimum of 2 hours
  • vehicles may only be used between 10am to 6pm Monday to Saturday and  between 1pm and 4pm on Sundays and public holidays
  • vehicles may not be used on Total Fire Ban days.

For more detailed information regarding the use of powered recreation vehicles including motorbikes, see Council's Community Local Law 2023(PDF, 2MB).

To apply for a permit to use a powered recreational vehicle, contact Local Laws on (03) 5422 0333.