The Environmental Protection Act 1994 specifies noise standards for noise emitted from the following:

  • Swimming pool pumps;
  • Air-conditioning;
  • Regulated devices;
  • Building work;
  • Refrigeration equipment;
  • Indoor venues;
  • Amplified devices;
  • Open-aired events,
  • Power boat engine noise; and
  • Use of generators north of the Daintree River.

Pumps (including swimming pool and spa pumps)

  • 7am – 7pm Noise no louder than 5dB(A) above background noise level
  • 7pm – 10pm No more than 3 dB(A) above the background noise level
  • 10pm – 7am No audible noise permitted

Air-conditioning equipment

  • 7am – 10pm noise no louder than 5dB(A) above background noise level
  • 10pm – 7am no more than 3 dB(A) above the background noise level

Regulated devices (including power tools and lawn mowers)

Monday to Saturday

  • 7am – 7pm regulated devices may be used
  • 7pm – 7am no audible noise permitted

Sundays and Public Holidays

  • 8am – 7pm regulated devices may be used
  • 7pm – 8am no audible noise permitted

Building work (including altering or demolishing a building)

Monday to Saturday

  • 6.30am – 6.30pm noise from building work allowed
  • 6.30pm – 6.30am no audible noise permitted
  • Sundays and Public Holidays – No audible noise permitted

Refrigeration Equipment

  • 7am – 10pm no more than 5dB(A) above the background level
  • 10pm – 7am no more than 3dB(A) above the background level

Indoor venues

  • 7am – 10pm no more than 5dB(A) above the background level
  • 10pm – midnight no more than 3dB(A) above the background level
  • Midnight – 7am no audible noise permitted

Open-air events

  • Midnight – 7am no audible noise permitted
  • 7am – 10pm no more than 70dB(A)
  • 10pm – midnight no more than the lesser of the following 50dB(A) and 10dB(A) above the background level

Amplifier devices other than at indoor venue or open-air event

Monday to Saturday

  • 7am – 10pm no more than 10dB(A) above the background level
  • 10pm – 7am no audible noise permitted

Sunday and Public holidays

  • 8am – 6pm no more than 10dB(A) above the background level
  • 6pm – 8am no audible noise

Operating power boat engine at premises

Monday to Saturday

  • 7pm – 7am no audible noise permitted Sunday and Public holidays
  • 6:30pm – 8am no audible noise

Generators in the area north of the Daintree River

This provision applies to generators used or operated on premises north of the Daintree River that are without access to mains power.

An owner, occupier or person in control of the premises must not use, or permit the use of the generator on any day:

  • 10pm – 7am no audible noise;
  • 7am – 7pm, no more than 5dB(A) above the background level;
  • 7pm – 10pm no more than 3dB(A) above the background level.

Acceptable noise levels and complaints

Noise can disrupt sleep and interfere with daily activities. If loud enough, it can also have a negative impact on people’s health.

 

Exemptions

The Environmental Protection Act 1994 provides exemptions from noise created from traffic signals, railway signals and road noise. Other local government activity exemptions include:

  • road maintenance
  • maintaining water and sewage services
  • preventing or removing public health risks

Guide to decibel levels

Some noise regulations include a maximum loudness in decibels. Here are usual decibel levels for everyday situations:

  • quiet room in the house – 20 to 30 decibels
  • daytime in a quiet residential street – 35 to 45 decibels
  • large busy office – 50 to 60 decibels
  • lawn mower from 15 metres away – 70 decibels

Residential premises

For noise matters regulated by Council, they can issue an on-the-spot fine or a Direction Notice for nuisance residential noise. A Direction Notice will detail the offence and the timeframe the offender has to fix the problem.

If the Direction Notice is not complied with, Council may issue an on-the-spot fine or prosecute the offender in severe cases.

Commercial and industrial premises

Some commercial and industrial properties have development approvals and conditions which must be complied with.  If a company does not comply, Council may issue a Show Cause Notice or an Enforcement Notice.

An Enforcement Notice can require the company to comply with the development conditions, take specific action or stop the activity causing the noise issues. Council can also prosecute under the Sustainable Planning Act 2009.

The Environmental Protection Act 1994 outlines allowable noise levels for different types of equipment and activities.

Noise related complaints not handled by Council

Council does not deal with noise complaints about: