Noise
Darebin is a diverse municipality with a variety of land uses and is increasingly becoming high density with apartment style living. As such, some noise is expected and needs to be accepted however the noise must not be unreasonable to neighbouring properties.
Too much noise can reduce a person’s quality of life and what may be enjoyable to one person, may not be enjoyable to others. So, it’s important to be considerate when creating noise.
Learn what you can do about noise disturbances, and what powers are legislated for Council and other authorities to respond with.
Find out more by watching the General Noise Complaints video.
How to resolve noise issues
If you have concerns about a neighbouring property being noisy there are steps you can take to help resolve the issue in a practical and neighbourly way. Follow the below steps on how to resolve noise issues.
Step 1. Try talking with your neighbour first
If you are experiencing concerns with noisy neighbours, the best approach is to talk with them first.
You may feel anxious about approaching your neighbour, but quite often they are not aware they are disturbing you. Having a discussion in the first instance with your neighbour about the problems that the noise has created will make your neighbours aware and be more considerate towards you in the future.
Step. 2 Get help from mediation services
Should initial talks with your neighbour fail to find a solution to your concerns, the Department of Justice offer a free and confidential mediation service through the Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria (DSCV).
The service is free and is a simpler and cheaper alternative to taking civil disputes through the courts.
The process does require the voluntary participation of both parties. However, mediation through the Dispute Settlement Centre results in 85% of disputes ending in agreements.
For more information, please visit the Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria (DSCV) or contact them on 1300 372 888.
Step 3. Report the noise
Haven't been able to resolve noise issues with your neighbour by talking directly to them or using mediation services? Next steps would be to report your noise related concerns through the correct authorities.
The type of noise and where the noise is coming from will determine whether you report to Council, Victoria Police, Environment Protection Authority (EPA) or another authority.
Find a list of common types of noise complaints at the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria's Reporting noise page.
Find out who to report noise to
Residential noise issues Council can investigate
Council and other authorities can investigate residential noise reports where the noise occurs frequently, during prohibited times and/or there is impact to an individual's health.
For all Council related noise complaints, we require you to complete a 14 day Residential Noise Log before council can investigate any requests. After reviewing the log Council will advise if the matter can be investigated or if the matter is better settled privately.
Download the Residential Noise Log(PDF, 373KB)
For all other noise complaints, such as those through Victoria Police or the Environment Protection Authority Victoria, please refer to their individual processes.
Security alarm noise
Security alarms on both premises and vehicles should in the first instance be reported to Victoria Police by calling 000 in the event they are sounding due to an intruder.
Should the alarm be sounding repeatedly when the resident is not home, it is best to approach the owner/resident regarding the noise as they may not be aware the issue is occurring. If the owner is not contactable, try contacting either someone known to the neighbour or a managing body to cease the noise and attempt to find a cause.
Should the alarm noise continue and the owner has taken no action we suggest you contact us on 03 8470 8888. You will be required to submit a residential noise log(PDF, 373KB) for a period of 14 days to report your complaint.
Building and construction noise
Construction noise during the daytime is considered reasonable. The commencement of building works is governed through the Community Amenity Local Law 2025(PDF, 2MB), which stipulates under 16. Asset Protection – Permit Requirement for Building Works of the document the following:
4. Except in the case of an emergency or in accordance with a permit, an owner, the owner’s builder or the owner’s agent must ensure that no building works are undertaken outside of the following hours:
- 7am and 8pm – Mondays to Fridays
- 9am and 6pm – Saturdays
- Building activity is allowed on public holidays and will need to meet the same times listed above, depending on the day the public falls on.
5. An owner or occupier is permitted to undertake building works on a Sunday between 9am and 6pm on premises that they are living in. Should you feel that a site is in breach of the Local Law, please contact Council’s Building Site Compliance Officer on 03 8470 8899.
Building noise that is expected within the prescribed hours above includes:
- electric power tools
- chainsaws
- generators
- circular saws
- gas or air compressors
- pneumatic power tools
- impacting or grinding tools.
If you have an issue with noise coming from a building site during permitted hours, we recommend you discuss these concerns with the builder or site manager.
Noisy animals
Barking dogs and noisy animals can in some circumstances be considered a nuisance.
If you have an issue with a neighbour’s noisy animal, speak to the owners first about a possible solution. A pet owner has the responsibility to ensure that their animal does not become a nuisance.
For further information on noisy animals or barking dogs, please see our noisy animal's information.
Residential noise
The Environment Protection Act 2017 creates an offence to cause unreasonable noise from any residential premises.
In determining whether a noise is unreasonable, consideration is given to the time, frequency, volume, duration and intensity of the noise.
For further information on the times that noise can be made, please see the Environment Protection Regulations 2021. However, it’s important to note that in some circumstances, residential noise can still be considered unreasonable at any time of day.
If initial attempts to talk to and mediate with your neighbour fail, please contact Council on 03 8470 8888 to lodge a complaint. You will be required to submit a Residential Noise Log(PDF, 373KB) for a period of 14 days to report your complaint.
Find out more by watching the residential and construction noise complaints video.
Noise from entertainment venues
Our municipality is a vibrant community with a diverse range of nightlife and entertainment venues enjoyed by both residents and visitors. With this activity, occasionally noise and amenity impacts can occur.
Please see below for information on the appropriate avenue to address your noise nuisance complaint.
Noise from clubs, bars and restaurants
If you are experiencing noise from a club, bar or restaurant, the first and most effective step is to contact the venue operator or manager directly. Many noise issues can be resolved quickly through direct communication.
If these issues cannot be resolved and you require immediate assistance, contact Victoria Police.
Alcohol-related noise and behaviour
Noise and other impacts associated with licensed venues such as loud patrons, crowd behaviour or antisocial behaviour are regulated under the Liquor Control Reform Act 1998.
Liquor Control Victoria (LCV) is the state authority responsible for:
- licensed venues
- alcohol service
- patron behaviour
- compliance, enforcement and licence conditions.
Liquor Control Victoria advises it can consider complaints about alcohol-related impacts at licensed venues, including patron behaviour, music, venue operations, and compliance matters.
Complaints about these matters should be reported directly to Liquor Control Victoria in the first instance.
Council’s role is limited to land use and development matters only.
FAQs
Why is a residential noise log needed?
The submission of a residential noise log(PDF, 373KB) assists Council with determining the duration and frequency of the noise in assessing if it is a potential breach.
These logs can also be used as evidence in the court of law should a noise issue be required to be heard by a magistrate.
In some cases, multiple residents including the owner or occupier creating the noise will be completing logs so it is important that they are answered truthfully.
What noise issues does Council not investigate?
Find a list of noise issue Council does not investigate:
- Vehicles entering or leaving a property. This also includes noise associated with vehicles entering and leaving such as security gates or garage doors. More information is available on the EPA website on transport noise.
- Concrete pours outside of prescribed hours
- Construction works during daytime hours
- People noise including fighting, foul language, loitering and domestic disputes or where there are public safety issues. Phone 000 in an emergency
- Domestic activity such as closing doors, talking, laughing, flushing toilets, ball sports and children playing.
- Planned permitted works that are required to be conducted out of hours due to public safety. Call the EPA on 1300 372 842
- Outdoor music events where EPA permits have been issued. Call EPA on 1300 372 842
- Train or tram track maintenance. Contact Transport Victoria on 1800 800 007 or the Public Transport Ombudsman on 1800 466 865.
- Aircraft noise. Contact Air Services Australia on 1800 802 584
- Emergency utility works. Contact utility providers
- Emergency road works. Call Vic Roads on 13 11 71
- Drones. Information can be found on the CASA website
- Late night music or party noise. Contact your local police station
For more information, please refer to the Environment Protection Authority on Reporting noise.