Noise related legislation
This page provides information about the following policies and regulations:
- State Environment Protection Policy (Control of Music Noise from Public Premises)
- State Environment Protection Policy (Control of Noise from Commerce, Industry and Trade)
- Environment Protection (Residential Noise) Regulations 1997
- The Subordinate Legislation (Environment Protection (Residential Noise) Regulations 1997 - Extension of Operation) Regulations 2007
- Environment Protection (Vehicle Emissions) Regulations 2003
For more information, also refer to the Environment Protection Act 1970.
State Environment Protection Policy (Control of Music Noise from Public Premises)
This policy was gazetted as:
- State Environment Protection Policy (Control of Music Noise from Public Premises) No. N-2
No. S43, 18/7/1989, Gazette 3/8/1989
As varied 16/3/1999, No. G12, Gazette 25/3/1999
View the Gazette (No. S43) (Adobe PDF file, 1712KB or 1.7MB).
View the variation of the Gazette (No. G12) (Adobe PDF file from Craftsman Press - the Victorian Government Gazette printer, see pages 729 and 730).
Hard copies (paper) of these documents are available for viewing at the EPA Victoria Library.
The SEPP (Control of Music Noise from Public Places) aims to protect residents from levels of music noise that may affect the beneficial uses of noise sensitive areas, while recognising the community demand for a wide range of musical entertainment.
An explanatory note for the State Environment Protection Policy (Control of Music Noise from Public Premises) is also available.
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State Environment Protection Policy (Control of Noise from Commerce, Industry and Trade)
This policy was gazetted as:
- State Environment Protection Policy (Control of Noise from Commerce, Industry and Trade) No. N-1
No. S31, 16/5/1989, Gazette 15/6/1989
As varied 15/9/1992, No. G37, Gazette 23/9/1992
As varied 31/10/2001, No. S183, Gazette 31/10/2001
View the Gazette (No. S31) (Adobe PDF file, 1429KB or 1.4MB).
View the first variation of the Gazette (No. G37) (Adobe PDF file, 445KB).
View the most recent variation of the Gazette (No. S183) (Adobe PDF file from Craftsman Press - the Victorian Government Gazette printer).
Hard copies (paper) of these documents are available for viewing at the EPA Victoria Library.
Recognising that Melbourne's planning scheme may position industrial areas near residential zones, the SEPP (Control of Noise from Commerce, Industry and Trade) aims to protect people from the effects of noise in these noise sensitive areas. The policy is also used as a planning tool. The policy requires new and proposed industries to be designed so as to not exceed the noise limits outlined in the SEPP.
An explanatory note for the State Environment Protection Policy (Control of Noise from Commerce, Industry and Trade) (Adobe PDF file, 128KB) and the incorporated document Designation of types of zones and reservations in the metropolitan region planning schemes for the purposes of State Environment Protection Policy (Control of Noise from Commerce, Industry and Trade) No. N-1 (Adobe PDF file, 128KB) are also available.
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Environment Protection (Residential Noise) Regulations 1997
EPA has proposed new regulations for residential noise. For more information see Proposed Residential Noise Regulations 2008
The Environment Protection (Residential Noise) Regulations 1997 list specific types of equipment and their prohibited times for domestic noise sources. Noise is automatically unreasonable if certain items are audible inside a neighbouring residence during the prohibited times.
Noise can be considered unreasonable with regard to its volume, intensity, duration, time, place and other circumstances in which it is emitted. Items include motor vehicles, lawn mowers, electrical tools and equipment, domestic heating/cooling equipment, pumps, musical instruments, radios and televisions. Note that these regulations outline the minimum requirements under the Environment Protection Act 1970; noise can still be unreasonable even outside the hours listed in these regulations.
The Environment Protection (Residential Noise) Regulations 1997 are available online at the Victorian Law Today Library. Hard copies (paper) are available from the Information Victoria Bookshop and for viewing at the EPA Victoria Library.
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Subordinate Legislation (Environment Protection (Residential Noise) Regulations 1997 – Extension of Operation) Regulations 2007
The Subordinate Legislation (Environment Protection (Residential Noise) Regulations 1997 - Extension of Operation) Regulations 2007 extend the operation of the Environment Protection (Residential Noise) Regulations 1997 for a period of 12 months. The Environment Protection (Residential Noise) Regulations 1997 will now sunset on 27 October 2008.
The results of a 2007 Environmental Noise Social Survey showed that more people are annoyed by noise now than 20 years ago. The extension of the 1997 Regulations will allow EPA to consult thoroughly with community and industry to determine the best way to regulate residential noise in Victoria.
The Subordinate Legislation (Environment Protection (Residential Noise) Regulations 1997 - Extension of Operation) Regulations 2007 are available online at the Victorian Law Today Library. Hard copies (paper) are available from the Information Victoria Bookshop and for viewing at the EPA Victoria Library.
Environment Protection (Vehicle Emissions) Regulations 2003
The Environment Protection (Vehicle Emissions) Regulations 2003 specify standards and test methods for motor vehicle air and noise emissions.
More about the Environment Protection (Vehicle Emissions) Regulations 2003
Publications
An extensive range of noise related publications is also available.