Report a problem – Noise nuisance
Excessive noise can cause a nuisance to neighbours and interfere with their sleep and daily activities. In some cases, it may affect their health. This page explains what types of noise we manage, steps you can take before reporting and how to make a complaint.
Some noise problems are managed by us and some by other authorities. Contact details are provided for other authorities responsible for common noise problems.
Before you report noise – what you can do
Speak to the person responsible and give them time to fix the problem – you may be able to solve the problem together. If speaking to the person does not work or is not possible, record the following details before reporting the problem:
- identify the source of the noise
- when the noise occurs
- how often the noise occurs
- how long the noise lasts
- how the noise affects you.
Understanding noise regulations
Some types of noise have noise standards under Queensland legislation. These noises have noise levels and/or permitted times of use. On the spot fines can be issued if noise standards are exceeded. These noise levels are measured against the background noise, which is the noise level measured in the immediate area in the absence of the problem noise.
For other types of noise that we can help with, we need a diary showing what the noise is, when it happens and how it affects you. The diary may be used as evidence and could be presented in court.
Air-conditioning & refrigeration equipment
On-the-spot fines may be issued if noise from air-conditioning or refrigeration exceeds:
- 5 decibels above the background noise level between 7am and 10pm
- 3 decibels above the background noise level between 10pm and 7am.
Report excessive noise online or call 07 5667 5988.
Report air-conditioning noise from public land
Report air-conditioning noise from private property
How to reduce air-conditioning & refrigeration noise
- Limit hours of operation
- Select quieter models
- Choose location carefully and place away from neighbouring bedrooms, windows, offices and reflective surfaces like walls and windows
- For vehicle-mounted equipment, consider parking at a depot or away from sensitive areas
- Regularly maintain the equipment
- Install physical barriers or acoustic enclosures. The manufacturer or installer should be consulted before enclosing for advice
- Consider modifications to the unit to reduce noise. Discuss this option with the manufacturer or installer.
Amplifier devices
Amplifiers include loud-hailers, megaphones, public address systems, remote telephone bells and repeater bells. Amplifiers do not include radios and music systems.
Noise from an amplifier must not be able to be clearly heard by an occupier of an affected premises durinsoug the following times:
- between 10pm and 7am on a business day
- between 6pm and 8am on any other day.
Outside of these hours, noise from an amplifier should not be more than 10 decibels above the background noise level at an affected premises.
Report noise from public landReport noise from private property
How to reduce amplifier noise
- Limit hours of use
- Select quieter alternatives when possible. For example, telephone repeater bells can be replaced with visual alarms
- Locate amplifier devices as far away as possible from neighbours and sensitive areas
- Install physical barriers or solid fences. If the fence has gaps, it will not be as effective.
Building work noise
A person must not carry out building work that can be clearly heard by an occupier of an affected building during the following times:
- before 6:30am or after 6:30pm, Monday to Saturday
- any time on a Sunday or public holiday.
A permit is required for building work outside of normal hours. For details visit Building works and delivery hours.
Building work noise can be reported depending on whether the activity is occurring within permitted hours or outside of those hours.
Building work noise within approved hours
Call 07 5667 5988 to report excessive noise during approved hours.
Building work noise outside permitted hours (happening now)
Call 1300 465 326 for the matter to be investigated by our after-hours building noise compliance team.
Building work noise outside the approved hours (noise has stopped)
Report noise outside approved hours
How to reduce building work noise
- Limit work hours
- Select quieter equipment or consider alternatives when possible. For example, electrical equipment may be quieter, cheaper and more efficient than petrol powered models
- Select location carefully – where practical, work as far away as possible from neighbours, bedroom windows and offices
- Conduct regular maintenance to reduce noise and increase effectiveness of equipment
- Install physical barriers or solid fences – if the fence has gaps, it will not be as effective
- Consider an acoustic enclosure for fixed equipment – for example, compressors and vacuums may be effectively enclosed in a wooden box with an absorbent lining and adequate ventilation. Consult with the equipment’s manufacturer for advice
- Consider modifications to equipment to reduce noise – for example, a more effective muffler may be able to be fitted to engine powered equipment.
Noise from maintaining a public or state-controlled road
Noise from maintenance works on a public or state controlled road is exempt from the noise regulations under the Environmental Protection Act 1994 at all times. This enables road maintenance works to be performed after hours to minimise safety and traffic impacts.
Although noise from road maintenance activities is unavoidable, maintenance works should be undertaken in accordance with relevant codes of practice to minimise noise impacts.
Any concerns about noise from maintenance works on roads should be directed to the responsible agency for that section of road to ensure that codes of practice are being followed. To check who is responsible for specific roads and to find contact details, please use the road look up tool on the QLD Traffic website.
Noise from constructing new roads or public infrastructure
Construction of new roads, railways or other infrastructure for public transport is not included in the exemptions for maintenance activities. If you believe that road/transport construction noise is causing a noise nuisance, please use the road lookup tool on the QLD Traffic website to check who is the responsible agency for the road and to obtain their contact details.
Commercial boarding kennels
Commercial boarding kennels must operate at acceptable noise levels and must not cause a nuisance to neighbours.
Report excessive noise online or call 07 5667 5988.
Report noise from commercial boarding kennels
Indoor venues
Indoor venues include buildings used for sport, music, cultural or religious activities. They don't include open-air events such as concerts.
Noise from indoor venues must not exceed the following levels:
- 5 decibels above the background noise level between 7am and 10pm
- 3 decibels above the background noise level between 10pm and midnight
- any audible noise between midnight and 7am.
Report excessive noise online or call 07 5667 5988.
Report noise from indoor venues
To report noise associated with open-air events or entertainment venues, visit Entertainment venues or events.
If the noise is from an amplified music venue within the Southport Special Entertainment Precinct, refer to the following
Amplified music venues (Southport Special Entertainment Precinct)
We regulate noise from amplified music venues within core areas of the Southport Special Entertainment Precinct.
These venues must operate under our local laws and the conditions of their licence.
Subordinate Local Law No. 16.9 (Amplified music venues) 2022 prescribes a reduction of music emissions in this precinct after:
- midnight on Friday and Saturday
- 11.30pm Sunday to Thursday.
If you have a problem with noise from an amplified music venue within the precinct, email us at EnvHealth@goldcoast.qld.gov.au and describe the problem.
Open-air events
Open-air events include concerts, festivals, sporting competitions and races. They mustn't exceed the following noise levels at affected premises:
- 70 decibels between 7am and 10pm
- 10 decibels above the background noise level or 50 decibels (whichever is lower) between 10pm and midnight
- no audible noise between midnight and 7am.
The following activities are exempt from noise level limits:
- educational buildings used for non-commercial activities
- entertainment events issued with a licence or permit by council or a liquor licence from Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation if they have noise level conditions
- sites that have a development approval with noise level conditions.
If you are concerned about noise levels from open-air events, please email us at EnvHealth@goldcoast.qld.gov.au and describe the problem.
Power boat motors & personal watercraft on land
Noise from power boat motors and personal watercraft (for example, jet skis) used on land must not be clearly heard from an affected building between these hours:
- before 7am or after 7pm on a business day or Saturday
- before 8am or after 6.30pm on a Sunday or a public holiday.
Report noise from power boats or personal watercraft on land
How to reduce power boat engine noise
- Talk to nearby neighbours to find out if particular times are an issue, then try to avoid operating the engines during those hours. Most people are concerned about noise at night or early in the morning
- Carry out testing and maintenance as far away as possible from neighbours or sensitive areas like bedroom windows and offices. Some work may be able to be done in a garage or shed
- Consider alternatives. If extensive running of a motor is required, consider having the work done at a more appropriate location.
Power boat sports & personal watercraft on waterways
Power boat sports include sport in which a person is towed by a line attached to a power boat (such as water skiing or riding on a tube) and operating a jet ski or other power-driven personal watercraft, other than for fishing.
Noise from power boat sports on our waterways must not cause noise that is able to be clearly heard inside a building for a continuous period of more than 2 minutes between these hours:
- before 7am or after 7pm on a business day or Saturday
- before 8am or after 6.30pm on a Sunday or a public holiday.
Report noise from power boat sports or personal watercraft on waterways
How to reduce power boat sports noise on waterways
- Limit hours of use by avoiding using your power boat or jet ski in the early morning, late afternoon and evening
- Choose a location away from homes so the noise does not disturb other people in the area
- If operating near these locations, limit the time spent in one location
- Select ‘quieter’ products. Older two-stroke motors may create more noise than the four-stroke motors.
Pumps
Pumps include swimming pool pumps, spa blowers and water pumps. Noise from pumps must not exceed the following levels at an affected building:
- 5 decibels above the background noise level between 7am and 7pm
- 3 decibels above the background noise level between 7pm and 10pm
- no clearly audible noise between 10pm and 7am.
Report noise from public land Report noise from private property
How to reduce pump noise
- Limit hours of use. If suitable, consider using a timer to only operates at appropriate times
- For swimming pool pumps, learn how long the pump needs to run. In most cases, it is only necessary to turn over the water once or twice a day. For an average pool, this may be for 3 to 6 hours per day
- Select a quieter pump. Older units can be noisy and undersized pumps may need to run longer to maintain water quality. Replacing the pump with a quieter or appropriately sized models may help solve the problem
- Locate the pump as far away as possible from neighbours and sensitive areas like bedroom windows and offices. Avoid noise-reflective surfaces such as walls and alcoves
- Conduct regular maintenance on the pump. Lack of maintenance can cause higher noise levels and reduce the effectiveness of the pump
- Install fences or barriers. A solid fence without gaps can help reduce noise levels
- Consider an acoustic enclosure. Enclosing the pump in a ventilated wooden box with absorbent lining may help to reduce the noise. The manufacturer or installer should be consulted for advice before enclosing the pump
- Consider modifications to the motor or pump unit. Discuss this option with the manufacturer or installer
Regulated devices (lawnmowers, power tools)
Regulated devices include:
- power tools
- compressors
- generators
- impacting tools such as hammers and nail guns
- lawn mowers
- leaf blowers
- chain saws
- drills
- sanders.
Noise from these devices must not be able to be clearly heard at an affected building during the following times:
- 7pm and 7am from Monday to Saturday
- 7pm and 8am on Sunday or a public holiday.
Report noise from public land Report noise from private property
How to reduce regulated devices noise
- Limit hours of use. Talk to you neighbours to find out if there are particular times when noise disturbs them. People are often concerned about noise at night or early in the morning
- Select equipment carefully. When purchasing equipment, consider the noise level or use alternatives. For example, sweeping instead of using a leaf blower, or using electric devices instead of a petrol one
- Consider location. Complete work indoors or in a shed if possible. Close windows and doors to reduce noise and incorporate noise reduction measures into your workshop
- Maintain equipment. Regular maintenance may decrease noise and improve the effectiveness of equipment
- Use acoustic enclosures. Some fixed equipment can be enclosed in a wooden box with an absorbent lining and adequate ventilation to reduce noise. Contact the manufacturer or installer for advice
- Consider whether modifications, such as mufflers can be fitted to engine-powered equipment. Contact the manufacturer for advice
- Install a fence or barrier. A solid fence with no gaps can help reduce noise levels.
Vehicles, motorbikes & other traffic noise
For vehicle, motorbike and other traffic noise, please contact the appropriate organisation below.
All other noise nuisance
You can report other noise problems online, according to whether they are on public or private property. You may be required to provide a diary of what the noise is, how often it is a problem and how it affects you.
Report noise from public landReport noise from private property
How to reduce noise
- Limit hours of use. Talk to your neighbours to find out if there are particular times when noise disturbs them. People are often concerned about noise at night or early in the morning
- Select location carefully. Carry out the activity away from neighbours and sensitive areas
- Choose quiet equipment. Replacing noisy equipment with a quieter or smaller model may help solve the problem
- Conduct regular maintenance of equipment to decrease noise and improve effectiveness of equipment
- Install fences or barriers. A solid fence with no gaps can reduce noise levels
- Consider an acoustic enclosure. Some fixed equipment, such as compressors and vacuum equipment can be enclosed in a wooden box with an absorbent lining and adequate ventilation. This can effectively reduce noise. Contact the manufacturer or installer for advice
- Consider whether modifications can be made to the activity or equipment to reduce noise. Contact the manufacturer or installer for advice
- In some circumstances, alternative activities or equipment may be effective in producing less noise. Consider carrying out the activity inside or at another location
Investigating your report – what we will do
Regulation of noise is complex. Different types of noise are managed by different agencies. For the noise problems that we manage, each report is assessed to determine what rules apply and who is responsible for managing it. We may take the following actions:
- Notifying the person/s responsible
- On site investigation/s
- Sound Level Measurements
- Obtaining feedback from neighbours and other complainants
- If breaches are found, we can issue on-the spot fines and/or require actions to fix the problem. Penalties can be up to 15 units for individuals or 75 units for corporations. For serious or multiple offences, offenders may be prosecuted. For details, visit Penalty units.