Environmental nuisance complaints process
People are sometimes unaware that their activities are causing a nuisance. Brisbane City Council encourages all residents and business operators to talk to their neighbours about nuisance problems before making a complaint.
Steps in the process
- Council writes to all parties about the issue and provides copies of relevant fact sheets and supporting information to assist parties in documenting an environmental nuisance diary (Word - 88kb).
- The parties are encouraged to discuss the problem and seek a possible solution.
- If the resident or business operator takes no action to solve the problem, and a second complaint is made, a council officer will investigate. If an offence has occurred, a notice may be issued to remedy the matter.
- If the resident or business still takes no action, an infringement notice may be issued.
- Council officers may issue on-the-spot fines after they investigate complaints. In the case of noise complaints, they may conduct noise monitoring from the complainant's premises.
Noise complaints
Check the list of noise complaints not handled by Council before you make a complaint.
Building noise complaints
Building noise complaints are handled differently to general noise complaints. Find more information about how to lodge a complaint about building noise.
Non-nuisance complaints
Some complaints investigated by Council, and specifically those relating to impacts on the natural environment, are not managed through the above process and can result in the issuing of on-the-spot fines, prosecution and court penalties. These complaints include:
- water quality, stormwater pollution, runoff and drainage
- littering and illegal dumping
- interference with protected vegetation.
Lodging a complaint
If your complaint is handled by Council, you will need to provide:
- your name, address and phone number – this information is kept confidential
- nuisance description – the date, time and source address
To make a complaint:
- phone Council on 07 3403 8888
- write to Council online.