Noise can affect people in different ways depending on the type, level, duration and frequency of noise. When noise is a problem, Council advises that you first try to solve the problem amicably by talking to the person who is causing the noise. This approach helps to maintain good relations with your neighbour.
If the noise continues you can:
- Contact a Community Justice Centre to try and arrange mediation with your neighbour. These government funded independent centres specialising in settling differences between neighbours without entering into complicated legal process.
- Seek a noise abatement order under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1977. Regardless of any council decision, you can seek a noise abatement order through the Chamber Magistrate in your local court. If the court is satisfied that the neighbour is causing an offensive noise of that the noise is likely to recur, it may order them to stop the noise or prevent a recurrence.
- Police Assistance Line - 131 444
Referring a complaint to Council
If mediation is unsuccessful in resolving the matter, a complaint can be logged with Council by phone, email or in person. For residential to residential noise complaints Council assesses each complaint against the following criteria:
- Is there a public health risk and
- Is the noise impacting on the broader public or can it be resolved privately
Based on the above criteria, Council determines if the complaint requires further investigation or alternatively if the matter can be resolved independently of Council through the Community Justice Centre, Local Court or Police.
The local court have the power to issue a Noise Abatement Order taken independently of Council, which can last indefinitely therefore having more power to cease the noise issue.
Contact:
E: coffs.council@chcc.nsw.gov.au
P: 02 6648 4000
A: Locked Bag 155, Coffs Harbour NSW 2450
Further information
Time restrictions - domestic equipment
The operation of noise emitting devices, instruments and equipment is restricted when the noise produced is audible inside an adjoining residence. The hours in which restrictions can be placed on the use of these items are outlined below:
| Power tools and equipment (powered garden tools; eg. lawn mowers and leaf blowers; electric or pneumatic tools, chainsaws, circular saws, gas or air compressors and swimming pool or spa pumps) | 8pm to 8am on Sundays and public holidays 8pm to 7am on weekdays and Saturdays | Local council or police |
| Musical instruments and electrically amplified sound equipment (eg. radios. TV's tape recorders, CD and DVD players, and home theatre systems) | Midnight to 8am on Friday, Saturday or any day preceding a public holiday 10pm to 8am on any other day | local council or police |
| Air conditioners and heat pump water heaters | 10pm to 8am on weekends and public holidays 10pm to 7am on weekdays | Local council or police |
| Motor vehicles (except when entering or leaving residential premises) | 8pm to 8am on weekends and public holidays 8pm to 7am on weekdays | Local council or police |
| Refrigeration units fitted to motor vehicles | 8pm to 8am on weekends and public holidays 8pm to 7am on weekdays | Local council or police |
Other sources of noise and appropriate regulatory authorities
| Industrial/Commercial | |
| Large scale premises | EPA Environment Line 131 555 (for EPA regulated premises - search the Public Register for the premise) |
| Transport Noise | |
| Commercial airports and aircraft in flight | Air Services Australia - Noise Complaints and Information Services 1800 802 584 |
| Noisy motor vehicles (including trail bikes) in a public place (such as roads, verges and car parks, or off-road including parks and reserves) | EPA Environment Line 131 555
Police Assistance Line 131 444
Coffs Harbour City Council 02 6648 4000 |
| Noisy motor vehicles (including trail bikes) on private property | Coffs Harbour City Council 02 6648 4000 |
| Road traffic noise on freeways, toll ways and main roads | NSW Roads and Maritime 132 213 |
| Recreational boating, jet skis | NSW Roads and Maritime 132 213 |
| Construction Noise | |
| Major public infrastructure such as Pacific Highway upgrade | EPA Environment Live 131 555
NSW Roads and Maritime 132 213 |
| Other local infrastructure | Coffs Harbour City Council 02 6648 4000 |
| Public Sporting and Community Events | |
| Concerts, fairs, sporting events and community events | Coffs Harbour City Council 02 6648 4000 |
| Fireworks | |
| Fireworks on private or public land | SafeWork NSW 131 050 |
| Liquor Licensed Premises | |
| Premise licensed to serve alcohol | Office Liquor Gaming and Racing (OLGR) 02 9995 0300 |
| Agricultural Practices | |
| Farm machinery and gas guns (creating a public health risk and affecting the broader public) | Coffs Harbour City Council 02 6648 4000 |
