Neighbourhood noise is common in urban areas and is part of everyday living. However, limits are in place to prevent excessive or unreasonable noise.

The table shows the type of neighbourhood noise and time restrictions that apply to each noise source.  These limits are set under the Protection of the Environment Operations (Noise Control) Regulation 2017.

* Council's cleaning services are exempt from these guidelines.
** A habitable room means any room other than a garage, storage area, bathroom, laundry, toilet or pantry.

Noise between units in a strata building is not something Council normally controls. It is managed under the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 and the Strata Schemes Management Regulation 2016.  

Most strata buildings have a by-law about noise. A standard by-law is worded as follows:
 
"An owner or occupier must not make noise that disturbs the peace of another resident or anyone using the common property."

If someone breaks this by-law, the owners corporation is responsible for enforcing it. Your strata manager should be able to help. They can investigate whether the noise breaks the by-laws, and if it does, issue the resident a notice to comply. If the problem continues, the owners corporation can apply to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) for orders and financial penalties.

For more information, see Noise in Strata. This website mentions that Council has noise rules, such as time restrictions. Strata buildings can use these guides for what noise is acceptable, however, this does not mean that Council enforces noise between units from within the same strata. That is a common misunderstanding. Enforcement remains with the owners corporation.

If you are bothered by noise from your neighbourhood, here are some steps you can take:

• Talk to the person making the noise - Often, people don’t realise they are causing a problem. Letting them know may help solve the issue.

• ​Legal Aid New South Wales - If the noise continues, Legal Aid can offer free legal advice. They have an online chat on their website to guide you based on your situation.

• Contact the Police or Council - Council can only deal with certain types of neighbourhood noise. If your noise issue falls under our role, we will ask you to keep a noise diary for 2 weeks to help with our investigation.  For noise problems outside business hours, you can contact your local police.

• Obtaining a Noise Abatement Order – If the noise problem continues and affects you regularly, you can ask the local court for a Noise Abatement Order.

Sometimes, you might be affected by other neighbourhood noises not listed above. These can still cause problems because of how loud they are or how long they last. They include:
 

Barking Dogs

Responsible Regulatory Authority: Georges River Council.

Council’s rangers may investigate barking dog issues. Visit our Animal Complaints information page for further information.
 

Car Alarm

Responsible Regulatory Authority: Georges River Council or Police Assistance Line.

It is an offence for an intruder alarm to sound for more than:

• 45 seconds for cars manufactured on or after 1 September 1997.

• 90 seconds for older cars.

A defence is provided for the above conditions, but only for vehicles manufactured before 1 March 2009, if:

• A vehicle window or windscreen was broken or removed.

• The motor vehicle was involved in an accident.

• The motor vehicle was broken into or an attempt was made to break into it.

The owner or operator of the vehicle is responsible for the alarm system.

It does not matter whether the alarm sounds continuously or intermittently for the purpose of measuring the sounding period.
 

Building Alarm

Responsible Regulatory Authority: Georges River Council or Police Assistance Line.

It is an offence for an intruder alarm to be heard in any neighbouring residence when it sounds for more than:

• 5 minutes if installed on or after 1 December 1997.

• 10 minutes if installed before 1 December 1997.

No distinction is made between an alarm sounding because of a break-in or because it is faulty.

The owner or occupier of the building is responsible for the alarm system.
 

Loud Talking or Profanity

Responsible Regulatory Authority: Police Assistance Line.

Loud talking or profanity is considered a behaviour issue and is not a matter that Council has jurisdiction.
 

Waste Collection

Responsible Regulatory Authority: Georges River Council.

Waste collection is key to protecting our health and the environment. Waste collection usually happens early in the morning. This timing helps keep traffic moving and ensures pedestrian safety.

If business waste collection is too noisy, please communicate with the business to let them know. If the problem persists, lodge a request with Council and an assessment will be carried out based on, but not limited to the following: 

• Necessity of the service.

• Time of collection.

• The location.

• Traffic and pedestrian flow.

For details on waste collection services for residential properties and any noise concerns, visit the Waste Services section of our website.

*RMS roads:

• Princess Highway.

• Stoney Creek Road.

• Forest Road (between Queens Road and Henry Lawson Drive).

• Forest Road (north of Lily Street up to Croydon Road).

• King Georges Road.

• Croydon Road (between Queens Road and Forest Road).

• Henry Lawson Drive.

• Queens Road.

• Rocky Point Road.

*RMS roads:

• Princess Highway.

• Stoney Creek Road.

• Forest Road (between Queens Road and Henry Lawson Drive).

• Forest Road (north of Lily Street up to Croydon Road).

• King Georges Road.

• Croydon Road (between Queens Road and Forest Road).

• Henry Lawson Drive.

• Queens Road.

• Rocky Point Road.

• EPA - Noise from Schools.

• Noise Diary.