Noise and light
Noise from residential, commercial or industrial activities or equipment may disturb nearby businesses or neighbouring residents, which can disrupt sleep and interfere with other normal activities such as listening to the TV, talking on the telephone, etc. If loud enough, noise can impact on people’s health and well-being. This information may assist residential, commercial and industrial premises reduce noise emissions and meet legal requirements.
The state government’s Environmental Protection Act 1994 includes obligations for residential, commercial and industrial premises in relation to noise nuisances.
Residential premises
When issues cannot be resolved, Council may be called upon to investigate the matter. If a noise is deemed to be a nuisance, Brisbane City Council may issue the person causing the noise nuisance an on-the-spot fine or a Direction Notice. A Direction Notice will detail what offence has been committed and the timeframe that the offender has to rectify the problem. If the Direction Notice is not complied with, Council may issue an on-the-spot fine or in severe cases prosecute.
Commercial/industrial premises
Some properties will have a development approval and/or Environmental Protection Act 1994 requirement that impose conditions which must be complied with. Conditions may limit the hours a business can operate, require noisy machinery to be enclosed in acoustic enclosures, etc. If a company does not comply with all development conditions, Council 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 cease the activity causing the noise issues. Council can also prosecute under the Integrated Planning Act 1997.
The state government’s Environmental Protection Act 1994 outlines allowable noise levels for different types of equipment and activities.
Exemptions
The state government’s Environmental Protection Act 1994 provides exemptions from noise created from traffic signals, railway signals and road noise.
Other local governments activity exemptions including:
- road maintenance
- maintaining water and sewage services
- preventing or removing public health risks
