City of Sydney

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Noise & Inner City Living

The City of Sydney has significantly changed over many years to become a 24 hour business, retail, entertainment, cultural and residential centre.

The level of noise in those areas that are not predominantly residential will always be greater than outlying suburban and country areas, but this does not mean that current and future residents should not be able to live peacefully alongside the city’s commercial, cultural and entertainment enterprises. The following suggestions are not intended to deter people from moving to the city, but rather to assist in making informed choices before doing so:

  • Before moving to the city, spend a night in a hotel or apartment to experience and listen to the sounds that occur. If possible, choose a hotel near to where you are intending to live so that you can experience normal night time sounds that are representative of what you are likely to experience
  • Explore the immediate neighbourhood and familiarise yourself with potential noise conflicts so that you know what to expect. This can include potential construction sites, which produce a significant amount of daytime noise and can last for a number of years, or types of industrial or commercial activities that operate 24 hours per day
  • Locate clubs, hotels and bars to investigate the hours of operation and noise levels
  • Be mindful that all roads have the potential to carry traffic at night and that it may take only one late-night vehicle to disturb sleep
  • Talk to other residents in the area where you are thinking of buying property to find out their views.

Alternatively, you could obtain advice and  if you consider necessary, hire an acoustic consultant if you are unsure about the noise levels that will affect your apartment or property. They will be able to report on existing noise levels and recommend soundproofing measures that could be employed. The levels of existing soundproofing in many apartments and units around the city can vary significantly.

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Last Updated: Friday 20 November, 2009

Please Note:
While care is taken to ensure accuracy, the City of Sydney cannot guarantee that information expressed here is correct and recommends that users exercise their own skill and care with respect to its use. The City of Sydney makes no warranty or undertaking, whether expressed or implied, nor does it assume any legal liability, whether direct or indirect.