Noise

Some level of noise is a normal part of everyday life. However, in some severe circumstances, ongoing excessive noise can disrupt your comfort, affect wellbeing, and reduce the enjoyment of your home.

While Council has some power to investigate offensive noise, our approach focuses on education and cooperation, as most issues are resolved without formal enforcement.

Before lodging a complaint, Council encourages residents to speak directly with the other party in the first instance. A calm, respectful conversation often resolves problems quickly and helps maintain positive neighbourhood relationships. Legal Aid NSW provide information about talking to your neighbour, including example letters you may use to send to your neighbour if direct contact is not available or appropriate.

Residential noise

Noise from residential sources such as pool pumps, air conditioners, and power tools are a part of everyday background neighbourhood noise. To protect neighbourhood amenity, there are specific time restrictions on when certain noises can be heard between residential properties.

Hornsby Council applies an educational approach to managing residential noise complaints through the following steps:

Step 1: Talk to your neighbour

Often, people are unaware their noise is causing a disturbance. A calm, respectful conversation can resolve most issues quickly and help maintain good neighbourly relationships.

If you don’t feel comfortable approaching your neighbour directly, consider leaving a polite, non-confrontational letter in their letterbox explaining how the noise is affecting you. The Legal Aid NSW webpage Talking to your neighbour provides example letters that may assist.

Step 2: If the problem continues:

You can lodge a request with Council. In line with our educational approach, we will review the nature of the complaint and, if appropriate, we may contact your neighbour on your behalf to advise them of your concerns and seek their cooperation to address the concerns.

Lodge a request

What if the matter continues after contacting Council?

If the noise issue continues and you are unable to resolve it directly with your neighbour, you may wish to consider the following options:

• Mediation: If the noise continues, seek mediation with your neighbour Neighbourhood Mediation and Dispute Resolution.

• Noise Abatement Order: Apply for a Noise Abatement Order through the Local Court
  Apply for a noise abatement order.

Industrial noise

Excessive noise from industrial and commercial sources (e.g. ventilation) can impact your comfort, wellbeing, and enjoyment of your home.

Businesses and residents are encouraged to work together to resolve noise concerns. Should there be no resolution, you can lodge a request with Council for investigation. Council may require you to provide evidence of impact e.g. through the provision of a noise diary, recordings and a signed witness statement.  

Lodge a request

Noise not regulated by Council

Some noise sources are not regulated by Council. Examples include:

• Noise from licenced premises. Refer to the webpage Noise complaint management at licensed premises for further information.
• Noise from an EPA licenced premise
• Activities by State or public authorities (e.g., public schools, Sydney Trains)
• Behavioural noise (e.g., loud talking)
• After-hours party or amplified music noise. The NSW Police are best equipped to deal with such concerns.
• Natural wildlife sounds (e.g., frogs, birds)