Noise complaints
If it is appropriate and safe to do so, before making a complaint, Council encourages you to first discuss any noise issues with the people making the noise. They may not even know the noise is a problem and this could quickly resolve the issue.
Who to contact
Below are some common sources of noise concerns and the authorities you can contact to report a complaint. If you are unsure who to contact, you can always contact Council and we can assist you.
Residential noise
Examples of residential noise
- air conditioners used for cooling
- vacuum cleaners
- pool pumps or home heaters
- stereo systems/tv, radios, musical instruments, PA systems
- equipment - lawn mowers, power tools, electric saws, gas or air compressors, pneumatic power tools
- electrical equipment (gardening tools etc.)
- vehicles on private property.
Who to report to:
Examples of residential construction and demolition noise
Construction noise, tools, machinery, music from a residential construction or demolition site.
Who to report to:
Council
Council’s Community Local Law sets out normal work hours for building work on land without a permit.
- Outside the hours of 7am - 6pm on weekdays
- Outside the hours of 9am - 3pm on Saturdays
- On any Sunday and any Sunday and public holiday.
These times do not apply to building works which are inaudible or not causing a nuisance.
A council approved permit may allow for some noise from building works to occur outside these hours with reasonable justification.
View Council’s contact us page to make a complaint about residential construction or demolition noise.
Commercial or industrial noise
Examples of commercial or industrial noise
- restaurants
- gyms
- supermarkets
- manufacturing
- utilities.
Who to report to:
EPA
Council
Where Council holds a Planning permit with conditions pertaining to noise restrictions, this can be used in the first instance to address noise concerns.
See Council’s contact us page to make a complaint to Council about commercial or industrial noise.
Examples of noise from building work
Who to report to:
Council
Council’s Community Local Law sets out normal work hours for building work on land without a permit.
- Outside the hours of 7am - 6pm on weekdays
- Outside the hours of 9am - 3pm on Saturdays
- On any Sunday and any Sunday and public holiday.
These times do not apply to building works which are inaudible or not causing a nuisance.
A council approved permit or Construction Management Plan may allow for some noise from building works to occur outside these hours with reasonable justification.
See Council’s contact us page to make a complaint to Council about commercial or industrial noise.
EPA
Contact the EPA when Council’s Community Local Law does not apply.
Examples of noise from music from entertainment venues
- theatres and concert halls
- sporting events
- stadiums and Festival grounds
- pubs, clubs and bars.
Who to report to:
EPA
Council - Statutory Planning
- Where Council holds a Planning permit with conditions pertaining to noise restrictions, this can be used/implemented to address noise concerns. See Council’s contact us page to make a complaint about music noise from Entertainment venues
Victoria Police (when you need a response after hours)
Liquor Commission Victoria (licensed premises like pubs, clubs and bars)
Council facilities noise
Examples of Council Facilities noise
Who to report to:
Council
- See Council’s contact us page to make a complaint to Council about commercial or industrial noise.
Public places noise (Maroondah Community Local Law)
Examples of public places
- noise from parties on Council land.
Who to report to:
Victoria Police
When you need a response after hours or in response to noise from antisocial behaviour.
Major projects noise
Examples of major projects noise
- major infrastructure projects such as major road projects
- State Government managed land use such as public schools or prisons.
Who to report to:
EPA
Workplace noise
Examples of workplace noise
- noise at your work site/office.
Who to report to:
Employer
Victorian Workcover Authority
Other types of noise
Examples of other types of noise
- noisy vehicles
- major infrastructure
- roadworks noise.
Who to report to:
EPA
Council noise complaint process
If your noise complaint is one that Council can address and you would like to make a noise complaint, please provide us with:
- the date and times of the noise occurring
- type of noise
- address where the noise is occurring
- where on your property the noise is affecting you (for example the backyard, kitchen, bedroom etc.)
- your name and contact telephone number.
See our contact details or submit an online complaint.
A Council Officer will contact you to discuss your concerns before any action is taken. In most cases, they will require you to keep records of the noise. Sometimes your noise complaint may need to be referred to another team within Council or another authority. Council will keep you updated.
Residential noise and the law
For further information about prohibited times for residential noise, please see the EPA website.
This includes information on:
- when residential noise is unreasonable
- environment protection regulations and residential noise
- prohibited times for residential noise
- exceptions to prohibited times
- common residential noise issues and how the law applies to them.