Noise nuisance

Residential noise

Noise that occurs early in the morning, late at night, on weekends or on public holidays can be a nuisance to neighbours.

If you are planning an activity that will make noise, you should let your neighbours know. If your neighbours have any concerns, you may be able to find a way to satisfy them.

If you can't resolve problems about noise, you can make a complaint. We will investigate noise complaints in line with the Environmental Protection Act 1994. In some cases, we may issue a direction notice or on-the-spot fine.

The Environmental Protection Act 1994 sets noise limits for residential areas.

Type of noise	Times you can make noise
Building work including: building repairing altering underpinning moving or demolishing a building providing air-conditioning, drainage, heating, lighting, sewerage, ventilation or water supply for a building excavating or filling installing or removing scaffolding	You can carry out building work that makes audible noise during these hours: Monday to Saturday – between 6:30am and 6:30pm Sundays and Public Holidays – no building work permitted
Regulated devices including: compressor ducted vacuuming system generator grass cutter (brush cutter, edge cutter, lawnmower, ride-on mower, string trimmer impacting tool leaf blower oxyacetylene burner electrical, mechanical or pneumatic power tool (chainsaw, hammer, drill, electric grinder or sander, electric welder, nail gun) domestic cleaning equipment	You can carry out an activity on premises using a regulated device that makes audible noise during these hours: Monday to Saturday – between 7:00am and 7:00pm Sundays and Public Holidays – between 8:00am and 7:00pm This restriction does not apply to building work (as listed above). This restriction does apply to a person carrying out building work at their residential property, other than with an owner-builder permit.
Swimming pool pumps and spa blowers (electrical, mechanical or pneumatic)	A pump cannot be used during these hours: Between 10.00pm and 7.00am if it makes an audible noise Between 7:00am and 7:00pm if it makes a noise of more than 5dB(A) above the background noise level Between 7:00pm and 10:00pm if it makes noise above 3dB(A) above the background level Background noise is noise that is measured in the absence of the problem noise (for example, when the pump is not on)
Air-conditioning equipment	Air-conditioning cannot be used during these hours: Between 10:00pm and 7:00am if it makes a noise of more than 3dB(A) above the background level Between 7:00am and 10:00pm if it makes a noise of more than 5dB(A) above the background level Background noise is measured in the absence of the problem noise (for example, when an air conditioner or heater is not on)
Refrigeration equipment	Refrigeration equipment cannot be used during these hours: Between 10:00am and 7:00am if it makes a noise of more than 3dB(A) above the background level Between 7:00am and 10:00pm if it makes a noise of more than 5dB(A) above the background level
Power boat engines – this includes testing, maintenance and flushing the engine	A power boat engine can be operated at a premises during these hours: Monday to Saturday – between 7:00am and 7:00pm Sundays and Public Holidays – between 8:00am and 6:30pm

Type of noise

Times you can make noise

Building work including:

building
repairing
altering
underpinning
moving or demolishing a building
providing air-conditioning, drainage, heating, lighting, sewerage, ventilation or water supply for a building
excavating or filling
installing or removing scaffolding

You can carry out building work that makes audible noise during these hours:

Monday to Saturday – between 6:30am and 6:30pm
Sundays and Public Holidays – no building work permitted

Regulated devices including:

compressor
ducted vacuuming system
generator
grass cutter (brush cutter, edge cutter, lawnmower, ride-on mower, string trimmer
impacting tool
leaf blower
oxyacetylene burner
electrical, mechanical or pneumatic power tool (chainsaw, hammer, drill, electric grinder or sander, electric welder, nail gun)
domestic cleaning equipment

You can carry out an activity on premises using a regulated device that makes audible noise during these hours:

Monday to Saturday – between 7:00am and 7:00pm
Sundays and Public Holidays – between 8:00am and 7:00pm

This restriction does not apply to building work (as listed above).

This restriction does apply to a person carrying out building work at their residential property, other than with an owner-builder permit.

Swimming pool pumps and spa blowers (electrical, mechanical or pneumatic)

A pump cannot be used during these hours:

Between 10.00pm and 7.00am if it makes an audible noise
Between 7:00am and 7:00pm if it makes a noise of more than 5dB(A) above the background noise level
Between 7:00pm and 10:00pm if it makes noise above 3dB(A) above the background level

Background noise is noise that is measured in the absence of the problem noise (for example, when the pump is not on)

Air-conditioning equipment

Air-conditioning cannot be used during these hours:

Between 10:00pm and 7:00am if it makes a noise of more than 3dB(A) above the background level
Between 7:00am and 10:00pm if it makes a noise of more than 5dB(A) above the background level

Background noise is measured in the absence of the problem noise (for example, when an air conditioner or heater is not on)

Refrigeration equipment

Refrigeration equipment cannot be used during these hours:

Between 10:00am and 7:00am if it makes a noise of more than 3dB(A) above the background level
Between 7:00am and 10:00pm if it makes a noise of more than 5dB(A) above the background level

Power boat engines – this includes testing, maintenance and flushing the engine

A power boat engine can be operated at a premises during these hours:

Monday to Saturday – between 7:00am and 7:00pm
Sundays and Public Holidays – between 8:00am and 6:30pm

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, we 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. We can also prosecute offenders under the Sustainable Planning Act 2009.

Who to contact to report noise issues

Type of noise	Who to contact to report an issue	Contact information
Amplified sound including: radios alarms musical instruments gatherings of people, including parties and rowdy behaviour motor vehicles on and off the road noise coming from a motor vehicle including the radio or music motorbikes on and off the road	Police	Queensland Police report a noise complaint
Aircraft	Air Services Australia	1300 302 240
Hotels and nightclubs	Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (OLGR)	13 QGOV (13 74 68)
Barking dogs	Council	07 3412 3412 or email at council@logan.qld.gov.au
Motor vehicle workshops, concrete batching, cabinet makers, sheet metal fabricators, service stations, poultry farms	Council	07 3412 3412 or email at council@logan.qld.gov.au
Home occupations (frequent repairs of vehicles, building of furniture, etc.)	Council	07 3412 3412 or email at council@logan.qld.gov.au
Powerboats and jet skis	Council	07 3412 3412 or email at council@logan.qld.gov.au
Truck parking in residential areas	Police	Policelink 131 444
Construction sites	Council	07 3412 3412 or email at council@logan.qld.gov.au
Large building sites, commercial premises, industrial premises	Council	07 3412 3412 or email at council@logan.qld.gov.au
Greenbank Military Camp	Department of Defence	1300 333 362 (switchboard)

How you can help to reduce noise nuisances

This tips may help to reduce noise nuisances in your area.

Limit your hours of use and ask neighbours about when noise disturbs them.
Only run your pool filters for the time needed to get acceptable water quality.
Select your equipment carefully and consider the noise level when you buy new equipment. You could try sweeping instead of using a leaf blower, composting instead of mulching, or electric devices instead of petrol engines.
Consider your location and work indoors or in a shed if possible. Closing windows and doors will reduce noise levels. Work as far away as possible from neighbours, bedroom windows and offices.
Keep your equipment well maintained – regular maintenance can reduce noise and increase the effectiveness of equipment.
Install noise-effective fences or barriers – solid fences with no gaps can help to reduce noise levels.
Use an acoustic enclosure – enclosing fixed equipment in a wooden box with an absorbent lining and ventilation will reduce its noise.
Consider modifications that could reduce noise, such as mufflers for engine-powered equipment. Contact the manufacturer for advice.

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