Georges River Council

Noise

Noise can be a nuisance and in some cases, offensive. Loud noise can create tension in the community. It may lead to anti-social behaviour and disputes between neighbours.

The Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 and the Protection of the Environment Operations (Noise Control) Regulation 2017 set boundaries for noise that may cause a nuisance or offence. Many government agencies can help with noise issues, depending on the type of noise.

You can find further information on the NSW EPA webpage.

Neighbourhood Noise

Below is a list of government agencies that handle various noise issues, along with their contact details.

Neighbourhood noise is common and normal in an urban area. However, to prevent excessive noise, time restrictions are put in place. These time limits are set by the Protection of the Environment Operations (Noise Control) Regulation 2017.

Source of noise – 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 – e.g. lawn mowers and leaf blowers – electric or pneumatic tools, chainsaws, circular saws, gas or air compressors and swimming pool or spa pumps).	Before 8.00am or after 8.00pm on Saturday, Sundays or on public holidays. Before 7.00am or after 8.00pm on any other day *.
Musical instruments or electrically amplified sound equipment (e.g. radios, TVs, tape recorders, CD and DVD players and home theatre system).	Before 8.00am or after midnight on any Friday, Saturday, or day immediately before a public holiday. Before 8.00am or after 10.00pm on any other day.
Air conditioners and heat pump water heaters.	Before 8.00am or after 10.00pm on Saturday, Sunday or public holidays. Before 7.00am or after 10.00pm on any other day.
Motor vehicles (apart from normal entry and exit from residential premises).	Before 8.00am or after 8.00pm on Saturday, Sunday or public holidays. Before 7.00am or after 8.00pm on any other day.
Refrigeration units fitted to motor vehicles (regardless of it being on residential premises or not).	Before 8.00am or after 8.00pm on Saturday, Sunday or public holidays. Before 7.00am or after 8.00pm on any other day.

* 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.

If you are affected by a neighbourhood noise listed above, there are several things you can do:

Talk to the person creating the noise - Often people do not realise they are causing a noise nuisance. When you let them know, they may want to help fix the issue.
Legal Aid New South Wales - If the noise continues, you can contact a Legalaid. They offer general legal support. Their website has an online chat feature. It can help direct you according to your needs.
Contact the Police or Council - You can contact the Police or Council under the NSW Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997. Both Council and NSW Police may be able to assist you with your noise issue. If you report a noise issue to the Council, they might ask you to keep a noise diary. This will help with their investigation. The St George Local Area Command (Police) can be contacted on (02) 8566 7412 for after hours noise issues.
Obtaining a Noise Abatement Order - If you are continuously being affected by a source of noise, you can take steps on your own. Seek a Noise Abatement Order from the local court.

Other Contacts for Noise Pollution:

You may also experience other neighbourhood noises not listed above but are impacted due to the nature and duration of the noise. These include:

Noise source	Information	Responsible Regulatory Authority
Barking Dogs	Council’s rangers may investigate barking dog issues. Visit our Animal Complaints information page for further information.	Georges River Council.
Car Alarm	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.	Georges River Council Or Police Assistance Line: Phone: 131 444 (24 hours).
Building Alarm	It is an offence for an intruder alarm to be heard in any neighbouring residence when it sound 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.	Georges River Council Or Police Assistance Line: Phone: 131 444 (24 hours).
Loud Talking or Profanity	Loud talking or profanity is considered a behaviour issue and is not a matter that Council has jurisdiction.	Police Assistance Line: Phone: 131 444 (24 hours).
Waste Collection	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.	Georges River Council.

Industrial / Commercial / Retail Noise

Industrial Complexes EPA licensed	EPA Environment. Phone: 131 555.
Industrial Complexes Non EPA licensed	Georges River Council. Phone: (02) 9330 6400.
Commercial or Retail Premises - Ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration	Georges River Council: Phone: (02) 9330 6400.
Retail Premises Pub, club or licensed premises - Loud music or patron noise	Office of Liquor, Racing and Gaming. Phone: (02) 9995 0300. Submit online form. Email: contact.us@liquorandgaming.nsw.gov.au.
Residential Waste Collection	Georges River Council: Phone: (02) 9330 6400.

Transport Noise

Aircraft Noise Including: in flight, taxiing, taking off and landing	EPA National Noise Enquiry Line. Phone: 1300 302 240.
Noisy Motor Vehicles Including: trail bikes in a public place and - Roads, verges and car parks - Off road, including parks and reserves	EPA Environment Line - General. Phone: 131 555. Police Assistance - Public place Phone: 131 444 (24 hours). Georges River Council - Private property. Phone: (02) 9330 6400.
Noisy Motor Vehicles Including: trail bikes on a private property	Police Assistance Line. Phone: 131 444 (24 hours) Georges River Council. Phone: (02) 9330 6400.
Road Traffic: Local roads	Roads and Maritime Services for *RMS roads. Phone: 13 22 13 (General). Online enquiries. Georges River Council (Local roads). Phone: (02) 9330 6400.
Road Traffic: Freeways, tollways, main roads *RMS roads	Roads and Maritime Services. Phone: 13 22 13 (General) Online enquiries.
Rail Noise	EPA Environment Line. Phone: 131 555.
Recreational Boating Jet skis, amplified music from vessels	Roads and Maritime Services. Phone:13 12 36. (Mon to Fri 8.30am – 5.00pm and Sat & Sun 8.30am to 4.30pm). Online enquiries. Water Police: 1800 658 784 (toll free).

Construction Noise

Building Construction	EPA Environment Line. Phone: 131 555. Georges River Council. Phone: (02) 9330 6400.
Major Public Infrastructure	EPA Environment Line. Phone: 131 555.
Road Construction Freeways and tollways	EPA Environment Line: Phone: 131 555
Road Construction Main roads (*RMS roads)	Roads and Maritime Services for *RMS roads. Online enquiries.
Road Construction Local roads	Georges River Council. Phone: (02) 9330 6400.

* RMS roads:
Princes 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 and Rocky Point Road.

Public Sporting and Entertainment

Aquatic Motorised Sporting Events	Roads and Maritime Services: Phone: 13 12 36 (Mon - Fri 8.30am to 5.00pm and Sat & Sun 8.30am to 4.30pm). Online enquiries. Water Police: 1800 658 784 (toll free).
Concert Facilities	Georges River Council. Phone: (02) 9330 6400.
Sporting Facilities	Georges River Council. Phone: (02) 9330 6400.

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