Consultation Background
To develop the Regulations, EPA Victoria consulted extensively with government, industry and the community. For an outline of the review process, please see the Information Bulletin: Review of Regulations for Residential Noise
Draft Regulations were released for public comment in June 2008. These were supported by a Regulatory Impact Statement, which examined the costs and benefits of different regulatory options:
- The Regulatory Impact statement (RIS) on the proposed Regulations
- An information bulletin on the consultation and changes
EPA received 38 submissions during the public comments period. Local government was most heavily represented, with some submissions from private citizens and the construction industry.
The majority of government and local government submissions supported the continuation of the regulatory regime and supported the large-scale residential construction changes.
Government and local government submissions also supported the consultation program, including the focus on impacts of noise and further guidance needs.
A number of local government submissions focused on implementation and enforcement concerns, legal questions and the need for guidance. Concerns with enforcement powers under the EP Act were also raised, but are outside of the scope of the review.
Industry submissions were supportive of the proposals.
Individual submissions focused on water pumps, air conditioner noise and concerns or disagreement with the proposals regarding large-scale residential construction.
EPA has carefully reviewed the comments made in all submissions, and has amended the approach set out in the Regulations where appropriate. Guidance for the large-scale residential construction changes has also been developed.
Please see the Response to Comments Document 
(adobe PDF 172KB) for further information on submissions received.
EPA notes that, following release of the Regulations, we will work with local government and police to develop a Residential noise handbook to assist investigation and enforcement of residential noise.
This will address many of the guidance issues raised.