Noise

• Residential Noise
• Industrial Noise
• Useful Links

Latrobe City Council investigates various types of excessive noise, including residential noise and industrial noise.

Residential Noise

Residential or domestic noise is any noise from residential premises.

When dealing with noisy neighbours, the ideal approach is to talk to them and work together to find a solution. Sometimes noisy neighbours are not aware that they are making unreasonable noise, or that they are annoying or disturbing you. Often talking to them can lead to changes that benefit you both.

If talking to your neighbour does not resolve the problem you have other options available. A branch of the Department of Justice called Dispute Resolution Centre of Victoria is available to assist in resolving any civil matter. The service is free and confidential. Through mediation, both parties aim to reach an amicable agreement. The Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria can be contacted on 9603 8370. Alternatively, visit their website: http://www.justice.vic.gov.au

The Police and Latrobe City Council can also be called upon to directly deal with the noise problem. Latrobe City Council may be able to assist you if the noise can be deemed to be a nuisance pursuant to the Health Act 1958. The noise would need to be a nuisance, and also be dangerous to health or offensive (or liable to be so). Latrobe City Council's Health Services Team will be able to provide you with advice. If you are experiencing a noise problem it is recommended that you complete a noise log sheet and a noise complaint form and forward them to the Health Services team so we can investigate the noise complaint further.

Noise from noisy music / parties that occurs after hours should be referred to the police, as they can deal with the noise as it is occurring if they deem it to be unreasonable. The Environment Protection (Residential Noise) Regulations 1997 are a guide as to the times of day certain noises may be deemed to be unreasonable.

The Residential Noise Regulations can be found at www.epa.vic.gov.au/noise

If you are annoyed by noise from barking dogs please refer to Latrobe City Council's Local Laws Team.

Industrial Noise

Industrial and Commercial Noise is usually investigated by either Latrobe City Council or the Environment Protection Authority. Several factors need to be considered including the level of the noise, the amenity of the area and any permit the company have allowing them to operate. Latrobe City Council's Health Services Team is able to provide you with advice regarding such issues.

Useful Links

• Environment Protection Authority http://www.epa.vic.gov.au
• Dispute Resolution Centre www.justice.vic.gov.au