Nuisance - noise, odour and smoke

There may be times when your enjoyment of your property is impacted because of another person’s activity. Various activities which create noise, odour or emissions can become a nuisance and may be an offence under the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008. 

The Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 covers various types of nuisances which are, or could be, dangerous to health or offensive.  

This covers nuisance from but not limited to the following: 

• building or structure;
• land;
• water or land covered by water;
• animal, bird or pest capable of carrying a human transmissible disease;
• refuse;
• noise or emission; or
• any state, condition or activity or other matter or thing.

Who do I report a noise complaint to?

Noise can harm your health and the environment by causing stress, sleep disturbance and reducing quality of life.

Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria, councils and Victoria Police all regulate noise in Victoria. But it’s hard sometimes who to call to make a noise complaint.

There are many different types of noise. These are:

1. residential and residential construction noise such as pool pumps, house parties and house renovations
2. commercial or industrial noise such as gyms, restaurants and commercial construction
3. music from entertainment venues such as pubs, clubs and stadiums
4. major projects or state government activities such as major infrastructure projects or wind turbines.

Before you make a complaint and if it is appropriate and safe to do so, EPA encourages you to first speak to the people making the noise. They might not know the noise is a problem and could quickly resolve the issue.

For noise categories, examples, and whom to call to make a noise complaint, visit the EPA's website.

Noise, odour, smoke and other public health and wellbeing complaints

If you are experiencing an issue that you believe is a causing a nuisance please contact us by email at environmentalhealth@pyrenees.vic.gov.au or submit an online nuisance complaint form.

Download a Noise Log Sheet(PDF, 141KB)