Noise

While some level of noise is a normal part of everyday life, unwanted noise can impact your comfort, wellbeing, and enjoyment of your home. The City acknowledges these concerns and promotes a respectful, step‑by‑step approach to resolving noise issues.

Noise may originate from residential activities, commercial, construction operations, or agricultural activities. Each type of noise is managed in accordance with the City’s Compliance and Enforcement Policy to ensure fair and consistent outcomes for all parties.

To help you navigate the process, please select the relevant tab below. Each tab outlines the appropriate steps for addressing specific types of noise. Before submitting a formal complaint, residents are encouraged to follow the recommended process to help ensure concerns are directed to the most appropriate authority.

Residential noise

Step 1.Step 1: Speak With Your Neighbour

Often, the person responsible for the noise may not be aware that it is causing a disturbance. A calm, respectful conversation can resolve many issues quickly and preserve good neighbourly relationships.

If you feel uncomfortable approaching them directly, consider leaving a polite, non-confrontational letter in their letterbox explaining the impact of the noise.

Step 2.Step 2: Access Free Legal Guidance

If the issue persists and personal communication has been unsuccessful, you can seek guidance from Legal Aid NSW.

LawAccess NSW provides free legal information and guidance on options for resolving neighbourhood disputes.

Visit www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au for more information.

Step 3.Step 3: Apply for a Noise Abatement Order

If mediation fails, you can apply for a Noise Abatement Order through your local court. If granted, the order requires the person responsible to stop or prevent the noise. These orders can remain in effect indefinitely.

Noise Regulations

Under the Protection of the Environment Operations (Noise Control) Regulation 2026, the use of certain equipment, vehicles, or articles outside permitted times may constitute an offence where the noise can be heard in a habitable room of a neighbouring residence during restricted hours. The City considers the nature, timing, frequency, and impact of the noise when assessing complaints.

Time restrictions for domestic activities
Noise source – from residential premises Time restrictions when noise should not be heard in a habitable* room in a neighbour’s residence

Power tools and equipment (powered garden tools such as lawn mowers and leaf blowers; electric or pneumatic tools, chainsaws, circular saws, gas or air compressors)
  • Weekends and public holidays: Before 8 am and after 8 pm
  • Any other day: Before 7 am and after 8 pm
Musical instruments and electrically amplified sound equipment (e.g. radios, TVs, tape recorders, CD/DVD players, home-theatre systems)
  • Friday, Saturday, or the day before a public holiday: Before 8 am and after midnight
  • Any other day: Before 8 am and after 10 pm
Air conditioners and heat-pump water heaters
  • Weekends and public holidays: Before 8 am and after 11 pm
  • Any other day: Before 7 am and after 11 pm
Heatwave Exception: Time restrictions for household air conditioners do not apply during Bureau of Meteorology declared severe or extreme heatwaves.

 
Motor vehicles (except when entering or leaving residential premises)
  • Weekends and public holidays: Before 8 am and after 8 pm
  • Any other day: Before 7 am and after 8 pm
Refrigeration units fitted to motor vehicles**
  • Weekends and public holidays: Before 8 am and after 8 pm
  • Any other day: Before 7 am and after 8 pm
 
Swimming pool pumps, spa pumps and other household pumps

 

  
  • Weekends and public holidays: Before 8 am and after 9 pm
  • Any other day: Before 7 am and after 9 pm

* A “habitable” room is a space used for normal domestic activities such as a bedroom, living room, lounge, study or dining room.

** For example, refrigeration units on delivery trucks and vans while parked at residential premises.

Step 4.Step 4: Lodge a Complaint with the City

If all other options have been exhausted and the noise is ongoing, you may lodge a complaint with the City of Coffs Harbour:

When the City may investigate a Residential Noise Complaint

The City of Coffs Harbour assesses residential noise complaints in line with its Regulatory Compliance and Enforcement Policy. A formal investigation may be considered when the following criteria are met:

  1. Potential Risk to Public Health - Noise that is excessive, persistent, or significantly disrupts sleep, mental wellbeing, or daily activities may be considered a public health concern.
  2. Community Impact ("Community Test") - Whether the noise affects multiple households. The City generally considers this criterion met when a minimum of two separate complaints are received from different households, indicating a wider impact on the neighbourhood.
  3. Private Resolution Has Been Attempted - Residents are expected to take reasonable steps to resolve the issue informally - such as direct communication or mediation—before contacting the City.
  4. Recurring Complaints – Whether similar complaints have been received previously.

Where appropriate, the City may provide information or guidance to the individual responsible for the noise to encourage voluntary compliance before considering enforcement action.

There are certain situations where the City is not the appropriate authority to manage noise complaints. These include:

• Mediation Services, such as Private Mediations or Court Ordered Mediation through Community Justice Centers

• NSW Police – for urgent or after-hours disturbances (e.g., parties, anti-social behaviour)

• Local courts – for applications such as Noise Abatement Orders

•Liquor & Gaming NSW – for noise and disturbance complaints relating to licensed venues (hotels, clubs, bars and pubs)

•Property Managers, Real Estate Agents or Housing Providers – where the noise issue relates to a rented property, social housing, or property managed by an agent. Residents should first contact the property manager, landlord, managing agent or housing provider to seek a resolution.

 

 

 

 

Commercial noise

Noise from commercial, industrial and construction activities (not undertaken on residential premises) can impact public health, community amenity and the environment. The City of Coffs Harbour supports responsible development while ensuring noise is managed in accordance with legal and planning requirements.

Businesses and industrial premises must comply with the conditions of their development consent, including approved operating hours and noise controls. Some larger industrial activities are regulated directly by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) under an Environment Protection Licence.

Where breaches occur, the City may take enforcement action under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 and relevant planning legislation.

Typical Noise Sources

Noise may originate from a wide range of activities, including:

  • Air conditioning, refrigeration, or ventilation systems
  • Loading docks, delivery vehicles, and waste collection
  • Generators, compressors, and other fixed or mobile equipment
  • Manufacturing and warehousing operations
  • Heavy vehicle movements or machinery

Construction Noise – Permitted Hours

Construction and demolition work can create unavoidable noise. However, under NSW EPA guidelines and standard conditions of development consent, work is generally permitted only during the following hours:

  • Monday to Friday: 7:00am – 6:00pm
  • Saturday: 8:00am – 1:00pm
  • Sundays and Public Holidays: No work permitted
Work outside these hours may require specific approval and may be permitted in certain circumstances, such as essential utility works, emergency works, or activities authorised under a development consent.

 

Lodge a Complaint with the City

If you have concerns regarding Commercial Noise, you may lodge a complaint with the City of Coffs Harbour:

When the City May Investigate a Commercial Noise Complaint

The City assesses commercial noise complaints in accordance with its Regulatory Compliance and Enforcement Policy, ensuring a fair, consistent, and proportionate response. A formal investigation may be considered when:

  1. The Noise Is Offensive or Unreasonable - This includes noise that is excessive, persistent, or clearly disrupts the amenity of surrounding areas.
  2. There Is a Breach of Approved Operating Hours or Development Consent - Activities operating outside their approved conditions may be subject to investigation and enforcement.
  3. There Is an Impact on Public Health or Community Amenity - Noise that interferes with sleep, wellbeing, or the peaceful enjoyment of public or private spaces may be considered a health or amenity issue.
  4. The Noise Is Recurring or Part of a Broader Pattern - Repeated disturbances or patterns of non-compliance may indicate a need for formal intervention.
Where appropriate, the City will seek voluntary compliance before considering proportionate regulatory action - Compliance and Enforcement Policy

 

When the City May Not Investigate

Some commercial noise matters fall outside the City’s jurisdiction and are managed by other authorities:

  • NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) – EPA licensed premises and scheduled activities regulated under an Environment Protection Licence
  • Liquor & Gaming NSW – for entertainment sound, patron noise and disturbance complaints relating to licensed premises, including hotels, clubs, pubs and bars.
  • NSW Police – for urgent or after-hours disturbances
  • Local Courts – for civil disputes or applications such as Noise Abatement Orders
The City generally does not investigate one-off or isolated noise incidents unless they represent a clear breach of environmental legislation, development consent conditions, or pose a significant impact on public health or community amenity.

Agricultural noise

Farming activities are an essential part of rural life, but they can sometimes lead to conflict between landholders, nearby residents, and the broader community. Common sources of agricultural noise include tractors, machinery, frost fans, and bird-scaring devices such as gas guns used to protect crops from birds.

The NSW Department of Primary Industries’ Right to Farm Policy supports lawful farming practices that comply with relevant legislation. While some agricultural noise is unavoidable, respectful communication and thoughtful planning can help minimise its impact on neighbours.

Tips for Landholders and Residents

  • Maintain open communication with neighbours about farming activities
  • Consider nearby dwellings when operating equipment and adjust timing or location where possible
  • Provide advance notice to nearby residents where practical before operating frost fans, bird-scaring devices, or other equipment that may generate noise for extended periods.

The City encourages a balanced approach that respects the rights of primary producers while promoting community harmony.

Step 1.Step 1: Speak With Your Neighbour

Often, the person responsible for the noise may not be aware that it is causing a disturbance. A calm, respectful conversation can resolve many issues quickly and preserve good neighbourly relationships.

If you feel uncomfortable approaching them directly, consider leaving a polite, non-confrontational letter in their letterbox explaining the impact of the noise.

Step 2.Step 2: Access Free Legal Guidance

If the issue persists and personal communication has been unsuccessful, you can seek guidance from: Legal Aid NSW

The Law Access website offers free legal information and dispute resolution advice.

Visit www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au for more information.

Step 3.Step 3: Apply for a Noise Abatement Order

If mediation fails, you can apply for a Noise Abatement Order through your local court.

If granted, the order requires the person responsible to stop or prevent the noise. These orders can remain in effect indefinitely

Step 4.Step 4: Lodge a Complaint with the City

If all other options have been exhausted and the noise is ongoing, you may lodge a complaint with the City of Coffs Harbour:

 

When the City May Investigate an Agricultural Noise Complaint

The City assesses agricultural noise complaints in accordance with its Regulatory Compliance and Enforcement Policy, ensuring a fair, consistent, and proportionate response. A formal investigation may be considered when:

  1. Potential Risk to Public Health - Noise that is excessive, persistent, or significantly impacts sleep, mental wellbeing, or daily living may be considered a public health concern.
  2. Community Impact ("Community Test") - Whether the noise affects multiple households. The City generally considers this criterion met when a minimum of two separate complaints are received from different households, indicating a wider impact on the neighborhood.
  3. Private Resolution Has Been Attempted - Residents and landholders are expected to take reasonable steps to resolve the issue informally—such as direct communication - before contacting the City.
  4. Similar Complaints Have Been Received - Multiple reports about the same issue may suggest a recurring disturbance that warrants further investigation.

Where appropriate, the City may provide general information or guidance to support voluntary compliance.

There are certain situations where the City is not the appropriate authority to manage noise complaints. These include:

  • Mediation Services, such as Private Mediations or Court Ordered Mediation through Community Justice Centers
  • NSW Police – for urgent or after-hours disturbances (e.g., parties, anti-social behaviour)
  • Local courts – for applications such as Noise Abatement Orders
  • Lawful agricultural activities – farming operations that are being undertaken in accordance with the NSW Right to Farm framework, including seasonal use of machinery, frost fans, crop protection equipment and bird-scaring devices.

Licensed Venue Noise (Hotels, Clubs, Bars, Pubs)

Liquor & Gaming NSW (L&GNSW) is the lead regulator for entertainment sound and disturbance complaints relating to licensed premises, including hotels, clubs, bars, pubs and other venues operating under a liquor licence.

If your noise concern relates to a licensed venue, complaints must be lodged directly with Liquor & Gaming NSW through their online contact portal.

Where a noise complaint relates to a licensed premises, Liquor & Gaming NSW will assess the matter under the Liquor Act 2007 disturbance complaint framework.

The contact portal allows members of the public to report:

  • entertainment sound and disturbance complaints from licensed premises,
     

  • concerns about alcohol service or gaming operations, and

  • unsafe venue environments for patrons or workers.

Reports can be made anonymously; however, providing contact details may assist regulatory follow‑up.

Submit a complaint via the Liquor & Gaming NSW Contact Portal:

Contact us at Liquor & Gaming NSW | NSW Government

Criminal behaviour, assaults, or urgent disturbances should be reported to NSW Police as the primary law‑enforcement agency.

STRA noise

Noise from Short-Term Rental Accommodation (STRA) properties can affect neighbourhood amenity, particularly during gatherings, parties, or late-night activities.

If the disturbance is occurring now and requires an urgent response, contact NSW Police on 131 444 (or 000 in an emergency).

If you are experiencing ongoing noise issues linked to a STRA property, visit our Report an issue with a STRA page for guidance on resolution steps and instructions on how to lodge a formal complaint with the City.

Where possible, residents should keep a record of dates, times, and the nature of the disturbance to assist any investigation.

Contact us

Phone

02 6648 4000

Email

coffs.council@chcc.nsw.gov.au

Location

City of Coffs Harbour
Yarrila Place, 27 Gordon Street,
Coffs Harbour
2450
View Map

Time-of-day noise restrictions

Find out when certain activities should not be heard inside a neighbour's residence.

Residential noise restrictions

Related information

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