Licensed venues and commercial premises
Noise controls
Licensed venues and commercial premises in the local area can create unwanted noise outside business hours. However, these businesses are subject to controls.
Licensed venues
Music and crowd noise from restaurants, nightclubs, hotels and other licensed premises in the City can sometimes reach levels residents find offensive or a nuisance within their homes. Under usual development consent conditions noise from these venues is limited to 5 decibels before midnight. To the average person, these sound levels are clearly noticeable above background noise levels. After midnight, noise from licensed venues cannot exceed background noise at all.
The City can order a venue to hire an acoustic consultant to implement sound-control measures to reduce noise emissions. If laws are breached, the venue must respond quickly and positively to resolve any complaints received from neighbours.
If excessive noise is caused by patrons leaving the venue, complaints should be directed to the police or the NSW Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing (OLGR). You can lodge a disturbance complaint (about noisy patrons or loud music) with the OLGR via its website (go to Links).
Commercial premises
Activities at commercial premises can cause offensive noise. Culprits include deliveries, forklifts and other loading dock operations. Noise from exhaust fans and air-conditioners can be particularly intrusive. These and other noises from commercial premises should not be causing offensive noise. If evidence is gathered and assessed as offensive noise under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997, a legal notice may be served by the City to control the noise emissions or activities.
Links
Last updated: Tuesday, 21 May 2013