Your Privacy

Privacy Act 1988 

The Privacy Act is an Australian law which regulates the handling of personal information about individuals. Personal information is information or an opinion about an individual, or an individual who is reasonably identified.

Citizens should feel assured that their personal information held at any business or practice is protected by federal laws and breaches of this law are taken very seriously.
Read more about Privacy Laws in Australia here.

Noise Pollution

Follow this link for specific information on noise restriction rules.

The penalty for breaching the legislation is $200 for individuals and $400 for corporations. The maximum penalty that a court can impose is $5500 for individuals and $11,000 for corporations.

Outside these hours councils and police can still place restrictions on the use of these articles if they are causing 'offensive noise'.

Councils can control offensive noise by issuing prevention notices, noise control notices or noise abatement directions. Police can issue noise abatement directions or you may seek a noise abatement order from the local court.

Noise in public places: animal noise, barking dogs

Local council or Police Assistance Line, phone: 131 444

Intruder alarms for buildings and vehicles

Local council or Police Assistance Line, phone: 131 444

Building construction

Major public infrastructure

Local council

EPA Environment Line, phone: 131 555

How to prevent neighbourhood noise problems

What is music to your ears may just be noise to your neighbour. Try to make sure that your activities at home do not become a nuisance to others by showing them some consideration. People can become extremely upset by noise they have no control over. Noise can aggravate stress, particularly if sleep is disturbed, as fatigue can  result in heightened sensitivity and irritability. Here are some things you can do to keep the peace in your neighbourhood:

Let your neighbours know in advance if you are going to be doing something noisy like having a party, doing building work or using a chainsaw, etc. Most people appreciate the courtesy and will be less likely to complain. They can also get away from the noise if they really need to.

Be mindful of your neighbours when playing amplified music or using power tools etc, even within the times permitted by the Noise Regulation. Remember, offensive noise can occur at any time.

Keep the noise in your backyard or on your balcony down so it won’t disturb your neighbours, especially during the evening and at night.

Avoid revving your car's engine repeatedly when you turn on your car's ignition. Also, remember to turn the car stereo down when coming home late at night and try not to slam doors.

Choose quiet models when buying equipment such as air conditioners, hot water heat pumps, pool pumps and rainwater tank pumps.

Think about the impact on your neighbours when installing this equipment. Place air conditioners and hot water heat pumps away from your neighbour's bedroom and living room windows or have the equipment acoustically shielded to ensure neighbours are not affected. For more information see the Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air-conditioning and Heating guidance.

Enclose pool and spa pumps to muffle the noise so it does not reach your neighbours and run pumps only when necessary within the permitted times.

Choose quiet models when purchasing or hiring garden equipment such as leaf blowers, string trimmers, edge cutters and lawn mowers.

If possible, use a broom or a rake instead of a leaf blower. If you must use a leaf blower, don't start too early, use it for short periods and avoid revving it repeatedly. These devices are often much quieter but just as effective when  used at around half the maximum power.