Ways to report noise pollution

• Report residential noise and noisy neighbours

  It's an offence to make unreasonable noise from a residence. There are rules about restricted times for noise in residential areas.

  If you’re annoyed by a noisy neighbour, try to talk to them first. They may not be aware there’s a problem.

  Find tips on dealing with residential noise in Annoyed by noise? (publication 406.8). 

  You can report residential noise to your local council.

  You can also report residential noise like late night parties to the police.

  Contact the police at any time if you find your noisy neighbour threatening.

  If your property has an owners' corporation, it must have a complaints process. The Owners Corporations Act 2016 requires this. It can help you communicate with your neighbour to resolve the problem. Consumer Affairs Victoria has information on complaint handling in your owners' corporation.

  The Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria can also help you resolve residential noise problems. They aim to help people settle their disputes in a cooperative and lasting way. The process relies on the parties involved discussing the problem in the presence of a mediator. Services are free and confidential.

• Report noisy vehicles, trains and trams

  Report cars and vehicles driving with noisy exhausts to the traffic management unit at your local police station.

  Report road traffic noise to the Department of Transport, your local council or the companies that manage the road.

  There are times when Residential Noise Regulations don’t allow unreasonable noise from vehicles on private property. You can report this to your local council.

  Report noise from public transport services to the companies that manage them. Only contact the Public Transport Ombudsman Victoria after you have given public transport companies the chance to respond to your concern.

  Report noisy exhaust from large trucks and buses over 4.5 tonnes to the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator.

  Report noise from train and tram maintenance to EPA’s 24-hour pollution hotline on 1300 372 842.

• Report commercial or industrial noise

  Commercial and industrial noise can come from:

  • offices
  • shops
  • factories
  • mines and quarries
  • farms. 

  You can report most commercial noise to your local council.

  To report noise from a large industrial business, call EPA’s 24-hour pollution hotline on 1300 372 842.

  To report noise from wind farms, contact your local council or the Department of Environment Land Water and Planning. They look after planning permits, noise monitoring and complaints.

• Report construction noise

  You can report noise pollution from a construction site. For example, noise that:

  • starts early in the morning
  • comes from a loud radio
  • goes on for a long time
  • comes from vehicles at the site.

  If construction noise is disturbing you, contact your local council.

• Report major infrastructure noise

  EPA’s guidelines recommend normal hours for major infrastructure projects:

  • 7 am–6 pm weekdays
  • 7 am–1 pm Saturday

  The guidelines are not laws, but EPA can still enforce them. This happens when:

  • a developer has an EPA licence, permit or approval for a major construction project, and
  • it is a condition of that licence that they follow the EPA guidelines.

  You can report major infrastructure noise to VicRoads or your local council.

  These are some ongoing major infrastructure projects in Victoria at the moment. Find out more about:

  • Level Crossing Removal
  • Metro Tunnel
  • West Gate Tunnel Project.

• Report music noise from indoor venues

  Music noise can come from indoor venues including:

  • hotels
  • restaurants
  • nightclubs
  • live music venues
  • health and fitness centres. 

  Report music noise from indoor venues to your local council.

• Report music noise from outdoor venues

  You can report music noise from public places playing music or making noise outside or into the open air. Outdoor venues include:

  • outdoor sports and recreation facilities
  • private land used for open-air events like music festivals and concerts
  • temporary structures like marquees or sound stages on public land.

  Music noise includes music and other sounds like:

  • live or recorded music
  • voices, like crowd noise or announcements
  • amplified sounds and sound effects that happen with music.

  Report music noise from outdoor venues to your local council.