Noise affects most of us at some time. Noise may become annoying if it intrudes into people's awareness or is heard against their wishes. Noise that disrupts people’s activities maybe considered an environmental nuisance.
The enforcement of noise regulations is generally based upon complaints from people affected by noise, so it is usually in your best interests as a neighbour or business operator to take steps to minimise the noise you make and to limit noisy activities to the times of the day or night and noise levels specified in the Environment Protection (Noise) Policy 2007.
Noise control
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noise monitoring |
The EPA plays an important role in monitoring and regulating noise pollution from premises licensed under the Environment Protection Act and some large industrial activities.
While section 25 of the Environment Protection Act 1993, requires all South Australians to prevent or minimise environmental harm that may be caused by excessive noise - noise issues are further regulated by the Environment Protection (Noise) Policy 2007 (the Noise Policy) which came into effect on 31 March 2008. The Noise Policy revoked the Environment Protection (Machine Noise) Policy 1994 and Environment Protection (Industrial Noise) Policy 1994, as amended. The EPA, Local Government (Councils) and the Police have key roles in managing noise problems under this Policy. The Noise Policy affects everyone including businesses licensed under the Environment Protection Act 1993, non-licensed and domestic premises.
The Guidelines for the use of the Environment Protection (Noise) Policy 2007 (548KB PDF) is a technical information document intended for use by authorised officers* , administering agencies* , acoustic professionals and other practitioners. It has been written to provide a clause-by-clause explanation of the Environment Protection (Noise) Policy 2007, together with examples, to assist practitioners in applying the policy.
In addition to the Guidelines, a suite of information sheets have been written in non-technical language for use by the general public:
* As defined in the Environment Protection Act 1993
Help with noise not regulated by the EPA
- 'People noise'
This includes noise from parties, loud radios or stereos and revving cars. Contact your local police station.
- Animal noise
For noise from pets such as dogs, parrots and roosters, contact your local council.
- Liquor Licensed premises
For noise from pubs, nightclubs and other premises licensed under the Liquor Licensing Act 1997, telephone the Office of the Liquor and Gambling Commissioner.
- Noise in the workplace
For detail on legislative requirements, contact the Safework SA. For more information on noise control in the workplace, contact the WorkCover.
Resolving neighbourhood noise complaints
There are a variety of common noise sources that may cause an environmental nuisance.
- power tools: saws and drills etc.
- compressors, pumps, swimming pool pumps and filters etc.
- lawnmowers
- domestic air conditioners
- other domestic machines or tools
Issues such as these are best resolved by working together with your neighbour. Disputes that are settled without involving an enforcement agency usually result in friendlier ongoing relationships and often provide more effective solutions.
Free mediation services are available that can be of assistance in resolving neighbourhood noise issues. This approach also has the benefit of avoiding the costly and adversarial legal process. For further information, contact the Community Mediation Services.
The Local Government (the Council) may be of support in resolving your issue.
The EPA is responsible for a wide range of environmental issues. A key priority for the EPA is to regulate premises licensed under the Environment Protection Act. Licensing is required when an activity has the potential to have a significant or widespread impact on the environment.
Localised environmental nuisance issues arising from domestic premises and non-licensed sites do not fall into this category. As a result the extent of the EPA role will be to provide technical support to the local council or police (depending on the issue) if and when requested to do so.
Guidelines for Audible Bird Scaring Devices
Managing bird populations in orchards and vineyards, and scaring birds from sensitive production without unreasonably interfering with the quality of life of nearby residents is not a simple matter. The Audible Bird Scaring Devices
Environmental Noise Guidelines 2007 (119KB PDF),
which sits under the Environment Protection (Noise) Policy, is required for audible bird scaring devices to recognise their unique noise characteristics and the adverse effects they can have on the community.
Summary of current EPA projects
Wind Farm Noise Guidelines
The Environmental Noise Guidelines
for Wind Farms (Interim), December 2007 (178KB
PDF) aim to help developers, planning and enforcement authorities, other government agencies and the broader community assess the possible environmental noise impacts from wind farms. These Guidelines have been reviewed and amended following a two-stage stakeholder consultation process.
The review highlighted the need for research into the Guidelines’ compliance-checking procedure. As a result, the compliance-checking procedure has been omitted from the Interim Guidelines while research is being carried out in 2008.
The new Guidelines (incorporating a revised compliance-checking procedure) will be published on completion of the research.
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Measuring
frost fan noise levels
affecting a rural property |
New projects
The EPA is undertaking new projects concerning the regulation of noise pollution, including:
- music noise (157KB) —guidelines to assist planning and liquor licensing authorities in assessing and reducing music noise impacts
- rural noise—a code of practice for noise from industrial and commercial activities in rural areas
- rail noise—a program to reduce rail noise, particularly the unique issue of 'wheel squeal'.
Resources
 Publications
EPA Publications
You will need a copy of Acrobat Reader to view the publications.
It is freely available from Adobe. (Click on the graphic on the
right).
Legislation
Environment Protection (Noise) Policy 2007
Environment Protection Act 1993
Links
Office of
the Liquor and Gambling Commissioner
Contact this organisation for complaints relating to noise from licensed premises.
SA Police
The South Australian Police are responsible for regulating most noise created by people.
WorkCover
The WorkCover site provides links to publications, training resources and professional assistance with noise control in the workplace.
SafeWork SA
This organisation assists with employee relations, occupational health and safety and public safety. The web site includes links to helpful publications and legislation.
This page was last modified 09-06-2009
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