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Noise

Creating a quieter environment

Please be thoughtful to your neighbours if you are making noise in your neighbourhood. People be understanding about noise if they know how long it will last and they are able to make alternative arrangements ahead of time. Consider notifying your neighbours with a courteous note if you have plans involving noise which may impact them. For more information, call the City on 9237 2222.

Dealing with a noise problem

If neighbourhood noise is a genuine problem for you, the first step is to try and amicably talk it over with the person creating the noise. In most cases, they do not realise they are causing a disturbance and will be cooperative. If this approach is not possible or successful, there are further steps you may consider.

Before submitting a noise complaint, please read the following information:

For additional information, please check the links below:

Vehicles creating unreasonable noise on private property are subject to Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997. If individual vehicles are making excessive noise on your street, call WA Police on 131 444.

Traffic noise from roads is exempt from the noise regulations.

The Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997 allows for construction noise to be created between 7am and 7pm on any day which is not a Sunday or public holiday. While builders are allowed to be on site outside these times, noisy activities may only occur during these times.

Construction work must be carried out according to control of noise practices set out in Section 6 of the Australian Standard 2436-1981 'Guide to Noise control on construction, maintenance and demolition sites.'

The equipment used for the construction work must be the quietest reasonably available.

After hours work

The City may grant approval for construction work to occur outside the times specified above. For example, major concrete pours in summer may be permitted before 7am.

A noise management plan must be submitted to the City at least seven days before work starts, including justification of the reasons for the request.

For approval to be considered, the builder must demonstrate that it is reasonably necessary for the work to be done out of hours.

For further information please contact the City on (08) 9237 9222.

Penalties

  • All builders are reminded that these requirements are law and not a council policy

  • Infringement notices may be issued. The notice carries a first offence penalty of $250, with any subsequent offences $500.

  • Noise Abatement Directions may be issued to those people who undertake out of hours noisy operations

  • Failure to comply with these directions may attract a maximum penalty of $25,000 through the courts.

The following complaints should be directed to the WA Police on 131 444:

  • Traffic noise from roads

  • Noisy parties

  • Security alarms, including from houses. Action can be taken after alarm has been emitting unreasonable noise for more than 30 minutes.

For other noise complaints please use the following forms:

Submit this as a request through our online services.