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). 

  You can report residential noise to your local council.

  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 police.

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

  There are times when the 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. 

  Report noise from a commercial, industrial and trade premises, call EPA’s 24-hour pollution hotline on 1300 372 842.

  You can also contact your local council who may be able to investigate your noise concerns.  

• Report residential construction noise

  Residential construction noise, including from construction, demolition or removal, is managed through the Environment Protection Act 2017. The Environment Protection Regulations 2021 have specific unreasonable noise provisions that apply to the repair or maintenance of an existing residence.

  EPA has given local councils powers to manage this type of noise. Some councils may use other powers like local laws.

  Report noise from residential construction sites, contact your local council.

• Report construction noise

  Depending on what is being constructed, there are different working hours and requirements for managing construction noise.

  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 commercial or industrial is disturbing you, contact EPA’s 24-hour pollution hotline on 1300 372 842.

  You can also contact your local council who may be able to investigate your noise concerns.

• Report major infrastructure noise

  EPA does not directly regulate noise from major infrastructure projects. Construction noise requirements are usually part of a project’s approval conditions.

  The infrastructure project builder will have contractual obligations to manage noise and vibration.

  Report noise from major infrastructure projects to Victoria’s Big Build on 1800 105 105 (24 hours/7 days).

  Find out more about Victoria’s major road and rail projects.

• Report roadworks noise

  Noise from major road projects, including road upgrades, are managed by Major Road Projects Victoria.

  Report noise from major infrastructure projects to Victoria’s Big Build on 1800 105 105 (24 hours/7 days).

  Report noise from routine road repair and maintenance to VicRoads, as part of Department of Transport, your local council, or the companies that manage the road.

  If you aren’t sure who manages the road, see Victoria’s road network.  

   

• Report music noise from entertainment venues and events

  Music noise can come from indoor entertainment venues or outdoor entertainment venues or events.

  Indoor entertainment venues include:

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

  Outdoor entertainment 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.

  You can report music noise from events in public places playing music or making noise outside or into the open air.

  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.

  For noise from entertainment venues, you can contact the police. Police can direct venues to immediately stop noise after midnight.

  Report noise complaints related to licensed premises to the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation.

  Report noise from entertainment venues and events or any other music noise to EPA’s 24-hour pollution hotline on 1300 372 842.

  You can also contact your local council who may be able to investigate your noise concern.

• Report wind energy facility noise

  You can report concerns about wind energy facility noise emissions to the wind energy facility operator. The operator will respond according to their complaints management procedures. If unresolved, report concerns about noise pollution to EPA’s 24-hour pollution hotline on 1300 372 842.

  If you need further help, contact the Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner (AEIC).