Agricultural machinery Most activities on agricultural premises that occur for the purposes of farming, are exempt from the Noise Regulations. While there are exemptions for these, certain conditions apply. Please refer to the Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997 for more information.
Dog barking complaints can be investigated by the Shire Rangers. Refer to Dog owners responsibilities for more information.
In most cases noise emitted from community events, such as spectators at a sporting event or fairs, are exempt from complying with the Noise Regulations.
Exemptions are often granted to permit concerts, live bands and fireworks, where the event would lose its character if the noise wasn’t allowed to exceed permitted decibel levels. In these cases, the event is advertised to surrounding residents, and conditions are set to ensure the noise finished at a reasonable time.
Noise from construction work is permitted during the hours of 7am to 7pm Monday to Saturday and subject to specific conditions.
Noise from building sites does not have to meet the permitted decibel levels during those times, provided they are conducted in the quietest reasonable manner. No works creating noise are permitted on Sundays or public holidays.
Stereos used on constructions sites are not permitted if they are causing a nuisance. These are not exempt from the permitted decibel levels.
Construction or maintenance works such as roadworks outside the permitted hours, may be approved by the Shire subject to valid reasons for work needing to be done out of hours.
Complaints can often be resolved by contacting the builder or company. Their contact details are usually displayed on a sign in front of the property.
The Shire cannot investigate noises associated with antisocial behaviour such as vehicle burn outs, loud vehicles, swearing, domestic disturbances, loud voices, smashing bottles etc. Please contact the WA Police.
The use of motorbikes and quad bikes for recreation on private properties, especially larger ones in the Shire, is a common activity.
However, the noise generated by these vehicles can negatively affect neighbours, and their usage might not always be suitable. It's important to consider factors such as property size when determining the appropriateness of such activities and the conditions that should be followed to minimize their impact.
Riding on properties under 2 hectares
Riding of motorbikes and quad bikes is generally not seen as an acceptable land use. Noise from any motorbikes or quad bikes must comply with assigned levels of the Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997. It is likely that compliance can’t be achieved.
Riding on properties 2-5 hectares
Generally considered to be an acceptable land use and is not required to comply with the table of assigned levels, however the following conditions apply:
- The motorised bike must have an unmodified factory fitted muffler(s) and be in a standard state of tune
- Motocross jumps not be used
- The bike must not be unreasonably revved
- The bike must not be purposely ridden up and down a particular boundary
- Only bikes permanently retained at the property can be used
- No racing
- Riding is to take place between 7am-7pm Mon-Sat and 9am-7pm Sundays and public holidays
- Riding is to be for no more than two hours on any one day (intended to be as a singular time period rather than cumulative during the course of the day).
Riding on properties 5+ hectares
Unrestricted use where the table of assigned levels are met, generally met due to greater distances from nearest dwelling. Where the assigned levels cannot be met the motorised bike the conditions for lots 2-5 hectares would apply.
Musical instruments can be used:
- For no more than 1 hour per day (continuous 1-hour block, rather than short bursts throughout the day totalling 1 hour)
- Between the hours of 7am and 7pm Monday to Saturday, and 9am and 7pm Sundays and public holidays
Always play the instrument inside and keep all windows and doors closed.
The Shire cannot investigate noise related to loud parties. If noise coming from a party is unreasonable please contact the WA Police.
Roosters, geese or ganders, turkey, peacock and peahens are not permitted without written approval of the Shire.
If you are being woken early by a rooster crowing, please identify the property that the rooster is on before lodging a health complaint.
An address of the alleged offender is required before an investigation can be started.
The Environmental Protection Act 1986 gives WA Police the power to silence audible alarms. If a Police Officer is satisfied that the alarm has been causing unreasonable noise for at least 30 minutes, they may take whatever reasonable steps necessary to stop the alarm.
There are many types of equipment commonly used on residential properties for maintenance, gardening and hobbies that can create excessive noise.
The noise laws permit the use of specified equipment; meaning any piece of equipment that requires the constant presence of an operator for normal use.
Types of specified equipment include lawnmowers, power tools, blower vacs and hammers, etc.
The use of this equipment is allowed under the following conditions:
- For no more than 2 hours per day (intended to be in a 2-hour block, rather than short bursts throughout the day totalling 2 hours)
- Between the hours of 7am and 7pm Monday to Saturday, and 9am and 7pm Sundays and public holidays
- Does not unreasonably interfere with the health and comfort of an occupier of premises receiving the noise.
There are many types of equipment commonly used on residential properties for maintenance, gardening and hobbies that can create excessive noise.
The noise laws permit the use of specified equipment; meaning any piece of equipment that requires the constant presence of an operator for normal use.
Types of specified equipment include lawnmowers, power tools, blower vacs and hammers, etc.
The use of this equipment is allowed under the following conditions:
- For no more than 2 hours per day (intended to be in a 2-hour block, rather than short bursts throughout the day totalling 2 hours)
- Between the hours of 7am and 7pm Monday to Saturday, and 9am and 7pm Sundays and public holidays
- Does not unreasonably interfere with the health and comfort of an occupier of premises receiving the noise.