Noise from commercial activities, such as waste recovery and transportation may disturb residents, disrupt sleep and interfere with normal daily activities. If loud and frequent enough, it can also affect health. This fact sheet can help contractors reduce noise emissions and meet legal requirements. Take care with timing The law Schedule collections carefully. If the receptacle is Queensland’s Environmental Protection Act 1994 includes particularly noisy and sited near residences, try to organise requirements for noise nuisances. Council is legally for collection after 7am. required to enforce these noise nuisance requirements. If Consider modifications an investigation finds that noise from such activities constitutes an environmental nuisance, then Council may Noise-reduction modifications can sometimes be made, issue a direction notice. The notice details the offence, and such as larger rubber wheels mounted on bulk containers. sets a time-frame for the problem to be rectified. Discuss this option with the manufacturer or installer. may result in a fine to the value of 15 penalty units (individual) or 75 penalty units (corporation). Refer to Think of alternatives the Local Government Toolbox website for more Alternative activities or equipment may be effective in information about penalty units. If issues cannot be reducing noise. Consider carrying out the activity at resolved, continued breaches of the Act may result in another location; or even engaging an acoustic consultant Council initiating legal action. in designing an acoustic barrier. The criteria When investigating a noise complaint, Council will consider: the amount of noise the duration, rate and type of noise the environment and the potential impact views of any other neighbours or complainants site-specific development conditions pertaining to allowable waste collection times other relevant criteria. Ways to reduce noise Limit hours of operation Most people are concerned about noise at night and in the early morning. Select location carefully Locate waste receptacles as far away as possible from neighbours and away from sensitive areas, such as bedroom windows. If possible, relocate the waste receptacle behind a solid wall.
Noise from commercial activities, such as waste recovery and transportation may disturb residents, disrupt sleep and interfere with normal daily activities. If loud and frequent enough, it can also affect health. This fact sheet can help contractors reduce noise emissions and meet legal requirements. The law Queensland’s Environmental Protection Act 1994 includes requirements for noise nuisances. Council is legally required to enforce these noise nuisance requirements. If an investigation finds that noise from such activities constitutes an environmental nuisance, then Council may issue a direction notice. The notice details the offence, and sets a time-frame for the problem to be rectified. may result in a fine to the value of 15 penalty units (individual) or 75 penalty units (corporation). Refer to the Local Government Toolbox website for more information about penalty units. If issues cannot be resolved, continued breaches of the Act may result in Council initiating legal action. The criteria When investigating a noise complaint, Council will consider: the amount of noise the duration, rate and type of noise the environment and the potential impact views of any other neighbours or complainants site-specific development conditions pertaining to allowable waste collection times other relevant criteria. Ways to reduce noise Limit hours of operation Most people are concerned about noise at night and in the early morning. Select location carefully Locate waste receptacles as far away as possible from neighbours and away from sensitive areas, such as bedroom windows. If possible, relocate the waste receptacle behind a solid wall. Take care with timing Schedule collections carefully. If the receptacle is particularly noisy and sited near residences, try to organise for collection after 7am. Consider modifications Noise-reduction modifications can sometimes be made, such as larger rubber wheels mounted on bulk containers. Discuss this option with the manufacturer or installer. Think of alternatives Alternative activities or equipment may be effective in reducing noise. Consider carrying out the activity at another location; or even engaging an acoustic consultant in designing an acoustic barrier.