- Noise and Nuisance

The Queensland govt has nuisance laws to help make Queensland a more liveable place. The laws aim to strike a balance between protecting our quality of life and the reasonable pursuit of activities that have the potential to annoy others.

The nuisance laws are complaint driven – that means a complaint must be made before a problem will be investigated. Anonymous complaints will not be accepted, but complaints will be kept confidential. Investigating officers have the power to issue warning notices, on-the-spot fines, or abatement notices. A warning notice may be issued first, with information on the laws and how to comply with the requirements.

Fines can be issued for common noise offences, usually after a warning notice has been issued. The minimum fine is $150 and the maximum is $600 for corporations not complying with abatement notices. Abatement notices can be issued for a number of offences relating to noise levels and emissions or fumes, light, odour and smoke. Abatement notices are issued to the person causing the nuisance and can require the person to stop the activities, or to reduce the nuisance to an acceptable level. People issued with fines and abatement notices can appeal against the decision. The Ipswich City Council website has a really useful resource for people who are concerned with noise coming from neighbours. (www.ipswich.qld.gov.au)

Who do I contact for further information?

Aircraft noise

All – Contact your local office of Air Services Australia

Air conditioners

Operated on residential land and some commercial land – Contact Council for further clarification

Amplified and people noise

Musical noise (eg. stereo, instrument) – Contact your local office of the Police Service
Parties, rowdy behaviour – Contact your local office of the Police Service
Burglar alarms (eg. house, car) – Contact your local office of the Police Service
Concerts and events – Contact Council for further clarification
Megaphones or public address systems – Contact Council for further clarification

Building work

Residential & commercial – Contact Council for further clarification

Liquor licensed premises (eg. pub, club)

All – Contact your local office of the Liquor Licensing Division

Power boats

On water – Contact Council for further clarification
On land – Contact Council for further clarification

Regulated devices (eg. power tools, mowers)

Operated on residential land and some commercial land – Contact Council for further clarification

Swimming pool and spa pumps

Operated on residential land and some commercial land – Contact Council for further clarification

Vehicle noise

On private land (eg. trail bikes) – Contact your local office of the Police Service
On Council land (eg. trail bikes) – Contact Council for further clarification
On race tracks – Contact Council for further clarification
Noisy vehicle – Contact your local office of Queensland Transport
“Hoons” – Contact your local office of the Police Service
Traffic noise on major arterial roads – Contact your local office of the Department of Main Roads
Traffic noise on minor roads – Contact Council for further clarification
After hours deliveries, refrigerated vehicles – Contact Council for further clarification