Noise and Your Neighbours

Your Rights & Responsibilities

Environmental Management & Pollution Control Act 1994

Miscellaneous Noise Regulations 2016

While people are allowed to produce reasonable levels of noise as part of their lifestyle, laws are in place to control environmental nuisances caused by excessive noise that interferes unreasonably with another person's enjoyment of the environment.

The use of chainsaws, off-road vehicles, lawnmowers, etc is prohibited at certain times, volumes and/or locations are limited and a number of activities have conditions associated with their use. For example, except under special conditions a motorcycle is not to be operated off-road within 500 metres of domestic premises without the consent of the occupiers. Other potentially noisy pursuits like band practice, stereos and backyard mechanics can also be controlled if they produce excessive noise. The intent of the laws is to provide limits for appropriate activities and to protect the rights of the people whose enjoyment of the environment is being unreasonably interfered with by unlawful activities. Monetary penalties can be applied for breaches of the legislation.

If you live in an agricultural area, you can find more information on 'Living Next Door To A Farmer' on the Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Website.

Before engaging in a potentially noisy activity, you should consider the following:

1.  The time, location, duration and intensity of the noise and the likelihood of it causing a nuisance to neighbours.
2.  The volume of the activity. A good indication is that if the noise is likely to be heard in a neighbouring residence, chances are that it will cause a nuisance to the occupants.
3.  Advise neighbours. Let neighbours know that you will be creating noise and the likely duration of the activity. You may need to adjust the time and location of the activity to maintain neighbourhood harmony.
4.  Check the appropriate legislation. A guide to permissible operating times of certain things is included below. For further clarification, please see www.thelaw.tas.gov.au or contact Council's Environmental Health Department.

If you feel that you are the victim of an environmental nuisance in the form of excessive noise that interferes unreasonably with your enjoyment of the environment or is in breach of the limits, then you should contact Council's Environmental Health Department for advice. Most often, the best outcome for neighbourhood harmony is achieved by first letting the person know that what they are doing is creating a problem. Give them some options, such as a change in time, location or volume; this allows them to carry out their activity without creating a nuisance. If they refuse to do the right thing, then they should not be upset when a formal complaint is made.

If you wish to make a formal complaint, contact Council's Environmental Health Department or if after hours, the Tasmania Police Assistance Line for non-emergencies on 131 444. Remember, when making a complaint, ensure you know the address where the noise is coming from, the type of noise and its duration. A diary of the noise will assist Council with their investigations.

The following schedule outlines the prohibited hours of use of specified things. This is to be used as a guide only. For further details, please visit www.thelaw.tas.gov.au.

In this Schedule -

portable equipment includes any equipment that can be demounted and transported without major disassembly, such as a power tool, gas or air compressor, generator, pump or cement mixer.

public holiday means a statutory holiday within the meaning of the Statutory Holidays Act 2000.

sound-amplifying equipment means any machine or device that allows the amplification of the human voice, music or any other sound.

If you would like to contact Council about a noise issue, please complete the Environmental health enquiries form and upload your completed Noise Diary.