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Before you make a complaint
If you're having problems with noise, there are steps you can take to fix the issue. If the noise is near your home, speak to your neighbour or the person responsible. Sometimes people don't realise they're making unreasonable noise.
The Environment Protection Authority has information about what noise people can make and when they can make it. You can learn more about residential noise restrictions on the Environment Protection Authority website.
For advice on approaching your neighbour, visit the Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria website.
If you can’t fix the problem by talking to the person responsible for the noise, you can contact the relevant authority to make a complaint. We explain who to contact based on your noise problem below.
When to contact Council
Noise from residential properties
You can contact us if you are often hearing unreasonable noise from a residential property. You need to record the noise for at least 2 weeks and share this with us before we look into your complaint.
Download the noise diary template
Noise from a barking dog
If you hear a dog barking excessively, you need to record the noise for 7 days and include this in a report to us. We have developed a:
- 7-day barking dog diary template
- sample note for contacting a dog owner.
You can find these and more information on our Barking dogs page.
Building and construction works
Activity on a building site is allowed between:
- Monday to Friday, 7 am to 6 pm
- Saturday, 9 am to 5 pm
These times are in line with the Protection of Council Assets and Control of Building Sites Local Law 2021.
You can contact us if building and construction works are happening outside of these times.
Download the the Protection of Council Assets and Control of Building Sites Local Law 2021
Noise from business deliveries
Deliveries between businesses are allowed between:
- Monday to Thursday, 7 am to 10 pm
- Friday, 9 am to 10 pm
- Saturday 9 am to 10 pm.
These times are in line with clause 49.1.2 of Boroondara's Amenity Local Law.
Businesses need to have a permit to deliver outside these times. You can contact us if deliveries are happening outside of these times.
Download Boroondara's Amenity Local Law
How we manage noise complaints
We will review your noise diary and assess if the noise is:
- a nuisance under the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008
- unreasonable under the Environment Protection Act 2017.
We will also visit the location of the alleged noise and collect evidence, such as:
- observations
- statements
- photographs
- sound meter readings.
We will work with the person responsible for the noise to try to fix the problem. This includes suggestions on how to reduce noise to an acceptable level. If the evidence we collect does not show the noise is a nuisance or unreasonable, we'll give you advice on how to settle the matter privately.
You can email your noise diary to [email protected]
When to contact the Environment Protection Authority Victoria
Noise from commercial and industrial properties
To report noise from commercial or industrial properties, you can contact the Environment Protection Authority Victoria.
When to contact Victoria Police
You can call your local police station on 131 444.
Noise from residential properties
You can contact Victoria Police if:
- the noise is coming from an event, such as a party
- the noise relates to criminal or anti-social activity.
Noise from private entertainment venues
Entertainment venues are not allowed to have unreasonable noise between 12 am and 8 am.
You can contact Victoria Police to report unreasonable noise during these hours.
Noise from security alarms
A car or home security alarm must not be able to be heard beyond the boundary of the house or building.
You can contact Victoria Police to report unreasonable noise during these hours.
More information
Contact us on (03) 9278 4444.
Visit Environment Protection Authority website for: