Proposed Items and Times
Water pumps
One minor change has been proposed to the items and times table. Currently, a swimming pool or spa pump, like an air conditioner or heater, is prohibited from 10pm. Other types of pumps are classified as general electrical equipment and are prohibited from 8pm if they are audible to neighbours in their home.
The proposed Regulations move all water pumps, other than pumps for filling a header tank, into the 10pm group. This change reflects the increased use of grey or rainwater pumps as part of both garden watering and internal uses.
The change does not apply to pumps used for transferring water from a main to a header tank, as these may still be reasonably used before the 8pm time without inconvenience.
A person may use their water pump beyond 10pm, provided that the pump is located and installed so as to not be audible to neighbours.
Items and times
Other than for water pumps, no general changes have been made to the prohibited items and times from the 1997 Regulations. Consultation has shown that the current times are well recognised and supported.
The proposed items and times are listed below. The full regulations can be viewed here.
| Group | Prescribed items | Prohibited times |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A motor vehicle (except a vehicle moving in or out of premises), lawn mower or other grass cutting device and any equipment or appliance not falling within Group 2 having an internal combustion engine. |
Monday to Friday: before 7am and after 8pm.
Weekends and public holidays: before 9am and after 8pm. |
| 2 | An electric power tool, chain or circular saw, gas or air compressor, pneumatic power tool, hammer and any other impacting tool and grinding equipment. | Monday to Friday: before 7am and after 8pm.
Weekends and public holidays: before 9am and after 8pm. |
| 3 | A domestic air conditioner, swimming pool pump, spa pump, water pump other than a pump being used to fill a header tank, domestic heating equipment (including central heating and hot water systems) and a domestic vacuum cleaner. | Monday to Friday: before 7am and after 10pm.
Weekends and public holidays: before 9am and after 10pm. |
| 4 | A musical instrument and any electrical amplified sound reproducing equipment including a stereo, radio, television and public address system. | Monday to Thursday: before 7am and after 10pm.
Friday: before 7am and after 11pm. Saturday and public holidays: before 9am and after 11pm. Sunday: before 9am and after 10pm. |
| 5 | Any electric equipment or appliance not falling within Group 2, Group 3, or Group 4, including electric gardening equipment. | Monday to Friday: before 7am and after 8pm.
Weekends and public holidays: before 9am and after 8pm. |
Note: The prohibited times apply when the noise can be heard from inside a habitable room of another residential premises.