City of Canning - Noise complaints

Noise complaints

Reporting noise issues.

Last updated on: 25 March 2024

In this article

Noise
Procedure for reporting noise issue
Examples of noise issues
Other noise types
Noise complaint procedure
Issues with neighbours
Anonymous requests
Report an issue

Noise

The Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997 (the Regulations) set out specific assigned noise levels for residential, commercial and industrial properties.
These levels vary subject to the time of day.
Living in residential areas means that we often share noise with our neighbours.
Noise is described as unwanted sound - there can be many sources within a residential area that can cause a disturbance.
There are steps you can take to reduce unwanted noise in your neighbourhood.
If you believe an ongoing noise issue is unreasonable, please try speaking with your neighbour first to see if the matter can be easily resolved.
People are sometimes unaware that their activities are causing a problem.
For supporting information on resolving disputes with neighbours, please click here
If you find there is no improvement, you may wish to lodge a formal complaint with the City for investigation.

Procedure for reporting noise issue

The correct procedure for lodging a noise complaint is as follows:

identify and locate the noise source
keep a noise log to support your claims, with the times and dates of the noise incidents (download a log sheet)
lodge your complaint with the City below.

Please note:

noise investigations may take time and there is no set timeframe for when the matter can be resolved.
authorised Noise Officers must first conduct an investigation and collect sufficient evidence before any action can be taken. This involves measuring the noise and that measurement must be obtained from the premises that is receiving the noise (normally the complainants property).
if the matter was to proceed to court, you would be required to provide a formal statement regarding the impact of the noise.

Examples of noise issues

Before you lodge your request please view the different types of noise information below.

Construction site noise

Specified equipment/residential noise

Equipment used on residential premises

Any equipment requiring the constant presence of an operator is classified as specified equipment - this includes equipment such as power tools and lawn mowers.
Specified equipment must still be used in a reasonable manner and is not permitted to be used for longer than 2 hours per day.
Noise from specified equipment is permitted to be used during the hours of 7am - 7pm, Mondays to Saturdays and 9am - 7pm, Sundays and public holidays.
Musical Instruments - one non-amplified musical instrument may be used for 1 hour a day.

Party and stereo noise

For stereo use, it is recommended that the volume be at a level that cannot be heard at the property boundary.
Keep the bass component of your stereo to a minimum.
Please note that fines can be issued if complaints are justified about regular noise emissions.

Please note:

it is best to contact the Police as the City does not afford powers to Environmental Health Officers to deal with anti-social behaviour and Police are best equipped to deal with after-hours noise and gatherings.
when stereo/party noise is outside of business hours (evenings/night time) or linked to antisocial behaviours please call the Police on 13 14 44.

Hosting a party?

If you are planning a party, please follow these guidelines to maintain good relations with your neighbours:

turn the music down at 10pm and off at midnight
monitor the noise at the boundary during the party and try and place amplified music inside rather than having it outside. Ask everyone to move inside the house after midnight
leave the clean-up until the morning so the sound doesn't disturb neighbours
ask your guests to leave quietly and say your goodbyes inside.

Mechanical equipment

For example - air conditioners and swimming pool pumps:

take care if you are thinking of installing an air conditioner, swimming pool pump, traffic gate or any other piece of mechanical equipment
it's important to ensure that the equipment selected and location to be installed is suitable, so that you don't create unreasonable noise
if a neighbour has mechanical equipment that has started to sound louder than usual or there's a change in times of operation, you're encouraged to speak to your neighbour first as they may not be aware of the changes.
servicing/maintenance of existing equipment may resolve the matter, or negotiating the times of operation for pumps may be an easier and quicker way to come to a resolution with your neighbour
see tips on talking with neighbours here

Security alarm

Alarms are important security devices but can cause excess noise if accidentally triggered. Please ensure:

you're familiar with your alarm system and can operate it correctly
the alarm has been installed properly
the alarm is in a location that minimises the possibility of damage or interference
the length of the siren is limited to a maximum of 10 minutes
the sound level of an external siren is limited to 90 dB(A), three metres from the perimeter of the building
the alarm is kept in good working order and serviced at least once a year
windows/doors are properly closed before activating the alarm and pets are outside
trees, shrubs and branches are well away from windows/doors.

WA Police have the power to silence audible alarms if it has been causing unreasonable noise for at least 30 minutes on a regular basis (associated with false alarms). Find out more about unreasonable noise from security alarms

Roosters

Roosters can create an additional nuisance to neighbouring properties due to their size, noise and wandering habits. They can only be kept in rural, special rural or special residential/kennel zones.
If the nature of the issue is roosters noise, please proceed below.
If the issue is roosters being kept on properties that are not rural, special rural or special residential/kennel zones, then please refer to Keeping of Pigeons, Poultry and Other Animals

Essential services

Essential services incorporate a range of services including road and verge cleaning and repair and primarily waste collection services.
The provision of these services is essential in keeping the health and amenity of our City at the highest standard possible.
Whilst the majority of these activities occur during the day, on some occasions these services have to occur prior to 7am, or into the evening.
The City is very mindful of the potential intrusion this may have on residents and as such, ensure that these activities only occur under strict controls.

Other noise types

The City's Environmental Health department does not respond to all noise issues. The following request types are to be referred to the following areas.

Traffic and vehicle noise

Traffic noise is handled by Main Roads WA (138 138) for vehicles or Department of Transport (08 6551 6000) for trains.
Vehicle noise complaints such as starting vehicles, exhaust/engine noise and closing car doors do not fall under Noise Regulations and therefore cannot be enforced by the City's Health team. If you are concerned about engine noise being excessively loud, please contact the Police on 131 444 to discuss whether the vehicle has been illegally modified.

Anti-social behaviour/noisy parties after hours

WA Police Service (131 444) are authorised noise officers and are best equipped to attend after hours parties, particularly when the people creating the noise may be under the influence of alcohol or other substances.
Please note, anti-social behaviour includes yelling and talking/vocal noise. Vocal noise does not fall under the Noise Regulations and therefore cannot be attended to by the City's Health team.
The Environmental Health team cannot monitor/attend to the comings and goings of persons from a residential premises and the noise associated with this. Should you suspect illegal activities, please refer to the Police on 131 444.

Barking dogs

Aircraft noise

Please refer to the Perth Airports Municipalities Group - pamg.com.au/pacf and Air Services Australia - airservicesaustralia.com/aircraftnoise
If you want to lodge a complaint or make an enquiry, please call 1800 802 584 (freecall) or 1300 302 240. The hotline is staffed from 9am - 5pm (EST), Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays.
You can also email ncis@airservicesaustralia.com or mail PO Box 211, Mascot NSW 1460.

Alarms currently sounding

Noise complaint procedure

The standard procedure is as follows (based on natural justice and procedural fairness):

request lodged online and log sheet is received by the City
acknowledgement of receipt is confirmed to complainant and is referred to the case Environmental Health Officer (EHO)
EHO contacts the noise maker to advise of the allegation
in most cases this will resolve the matter, but if not, the complainant needs to maintain additional noise log sheet and notify the case EHO
a written warning is issued to the noise maker. If the written warning doesn't resolve the matter, evidence in the form of sound level readings may need to be gathered by the EHO. Generally sound level readings are taken at the noise receivers location. You must be able to accommodate the EHO attending to take the readings inside your property/premises, where the unreasonable noise is being experienced.
if non-compliance is established, a written direction is issued giving a specified timeframe to comply. If you fail to comply, enforcement action may be taken, which could involve:
a infringement notice of $250 for the first offence and $500 for subsequent offences
seizure of noise emitting equipment (involves coordination with Police)
issuing of a Noise Abatement Direction or Environmental Protection Notice with a maximum penalty of $25,000 for an individual and $62,000 for a body corporate.

Issues with neighbours

People are sometimes unaware that their activities are causing a problem.
The City encourages all residents and business operators to talk to their neighbours about any issues before making a complaint.
For supporting information on resolving disputes with neighbours, please click here

Anonymous requests

Your contact details are required when lodging this issue to ensure a proper investigation can be completed.

Report an issue

To report a noise issue, please select the correct option below (attaching a completed noise log sheet to the request)
An officer will action a request within five (5) working days. This includes contacting you to clarify the nature of the complaint, checking on any possible safety risks for City staff and explaining the complaint process.
Your contact details are required when lodging this issue to ensure a proper investigation can be completed.