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 2008
- 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)
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.
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) 
(PDF 1.7MB).
View the variation of the Gazette (No. G12) (PDF file from Craftsman Press - the Victorian Government Gazette printer, see pages 729 and 730).
A consolidated version of the State Environment Protection Policy (Control of Music Noise from Public Premises) No. N-2 has been produced, incorporating the variation. This document has not been published in the Gazette but rather was produced to provide a single source of information to those wishing to read the Policy. This is not an authorised version of the Policy. View the Consolidated Policy (PDF 204KB).
An explanatory note for the State Environment Protection Policy (Control of Music Noise from Public Premises) is also available.
Get more information about this topic.
State Environment Protection Policy (Control of Noise from Commerce, Industry and Trade)
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.
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) (PDF 1429KB or 1.4MB).
View the first variation of the Gazette (No. G37) (PDF 445KB).
View the most recent variation of the Gazette (No. S183) (PDF file from Craftsman Press - the Victorian Government Gazette printer).
A consolidated version of the State Environment Protection Policy (Control of Noise from Commerce, Industry and Trade) No. N-1 has been produced, incorporating the first and second variation. This document has not been published in the Gazette but rather was produced to provide a single source of information to those wishing to read the Policy. This is not an authorised version of the Policy. View the Consolidated Policy (PDF 422KB).
An explanatory note (PDF 2.4MB) 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 (PDF 128KB) are also available.
Get more information about this topic.
Environment Protection (Residential Noise) Regulations 2008
The Environment Protection (Residential Noise) Regulations 2008 apply to noise from residential premises and residential premises under construction. They list specific types of equipment and their prohibited times. Noise is automatically unreasonable if certain items are audible inside a neighbouring residence during the prohibited times.
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. Any residential noise might be considered unreasonable with regard to its volume, intensity and duration, and the time, place and other circumstances in which it is emitted.
These regulations also exempt some types of large scale residential premises under construction from application of the items and times. For more information see Residential Noise Regulations 2008
The Environment Protection (Residential Noise) Regulations 2008 are available online at the Victorian Law Today Library. 
Get more information about this topic.
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.
Top