Noise Issues

When it comes to noise complaints, different laws and agencies apply depending on the type of noise and when it is occurring.

Residential Noise:

Residential noise is regulated under the Environment Protection Regulations 2021 and the Environment Protection Act 2017.

Noise must not be unreasonable.

Residential noise may be considered unreasonable if:

• it occurs during prohibited times and can be heard in a habitable room of another residence, or
• it occurs at any time and is excessive in volume, duration or character

Certain noise can still be considered unreasonable if it occurs outside of prohibited times if it meets certain criteria - e.g. if it has unnecessarily excessive volume.

Further guidance is available from the Environmental Protection Authority's (EPA) website here.

Council's role:

Council Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) are responsible for assessing residential noise complaints where the issue is ongoing or repeated and falls within Council’s regulatory responsibilities.

In this role, Council may:

• receive and document complaints

• seek further information (timing, frequency, type of noise)

• assess the location and surrounding context

• liaise with the person or business generating the noise

• review supporting information (e.g. noise diaries)

• determine whether the matter meets the threshold for further action

Council’s role is assessment and regulatory in nature.

Council does not provide real-time enforcement, attend noise incidents as they occur, or continuously monitor noise. To register an ongoing, residential noise issue, please email info@queenscliffe.vic.gov.au.

Music, Events and Commercial Noise :

Noise from commercial premises, entertainment venues, events and amplified music is regulated under State legislation, with EPA Victoria as the primary regulator.

These activities are assessed under the Environment Protection framework, including:

• whether noise is unreasonable
• applicable noise limits
• time of day
• how the noise is experienced at surrounding properties

EPA guidance for music noise is available here.

If noise is occurring now and is considered unreasonable or outside permitted hours, contact Victoria Police on 131 444.

Victoria Police respond to real-time noise complaints and may take immediate action where required.