Bega Valley
Indicator: Noise
Results for this indicator are also available for [an error occurred while processing this directive]
Please note: Text or data highlighted in this colour represent an update to this indicator for the period 2008/09.
What the results tell us for Bega Valley
Barking dogs continued to be the major source of noise as was reported in the 2004 report. A total of 376 complaints were made over this four year period (See Table 1). Council had the services of four rangers during the reporting period and a large percentage of their time was spent dealing with companion animal management issues. All barking dog complaints received during the period were investigated and resolved, some with nuisance dog control orders under the Companion Animal Act 1997. These have been utilised in every instance where the complaints were justified.
The New South Wales (NSW) Police received 431 complaints and callouts during 2004-2008 to deal with noise issues (See Table 2). As mentioned above the main noise complaints to Council were in relation to barking dogs followed by 99 general non-specified noise complaints that could include traffic noise, refrigerated vehicles, power tools, and amplified music. Council health surveyors investigated all formal complaints however statistics have not been kept on the mechanisms for resolution or time taken by staff on resolving these issues.
Council action
As mentioned above all barking dog complaints received during the period were investigated and resolved. Rangers also undertook significant educative work with respect to problems barking dogs cause in the Shire. This took the form of media releases, field days and promotional material as well as physical measures with the availability for hire of citronella collars.
Council did not undertake any ambient noise monitoring in the period of this report, however anecdotally there appears to have been an increase in vehicular traffic and this indicates some increase in ambient noise levels.
Council uses the NSW Department of Environment and Climate change (DECC) Industrial Noise Policy planning guidelines for the prevention of background creep issues associated with development. Other work with respect to ambient noise levels is not seen as a high priority at this stage, though issues of siting, aspect and buffers for new development will be seen as core to zoning issues through the revised Local Environmental Plan.
Council has updated its noise investigation equipment during this reporting period and is in a good position to log data as well as investigate tonal aspects and other features of noise that may be impacting upon the community. Council also undertakes ad-hoc monitoring in response to, and in association with, the investigation of noise complaints. This information is useful in determining background and contributing noise levels in establishing if noise is intrusive or offensive.
Council staff respond to all complaints regarding noise from non scheduled premises as soon as is possible. Any complaints received by DECC relating to licensed or scheduled premises have not been included in this data. During the reporting period ambient noise monitoring was not undertaken by Council staff.
| Type of complaint | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barking dogs | 128 | 89 | 75 | 84 | 124 |
| General no break down details | 17 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 24* |
| Total | 145 | 114 | 100 | 110 | 148 |
Source: Bega Valley Council
* In the period 2008-09 complaints relating to mechanical ventilation/airconditioning noise were the most common source within the 'general noise' category with 7 separate complaints received. One abatement direction was issued by Council staff relating to amplified music.
| Type of complaint | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006–07 | 2007–08 | 2008-09 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Police callouts for noise abatement directions | 75 | 96 | 126 | 134 | 78 |
| Total | 75 | 96 | 126 | 134 | 78 |
Source: NSW Police
About the data
Data were supplied by Bega Valley Shire Council and the NSW Police. Other information was supplied by Bega Valley Shire Council.
References
Department of Environment and Conservation (2004) Noise Guide for Local Government, NSW Department of Environment and Conservation 2004/59, June 2004. As update on the website June 2007
Department of Environment and Conservation (2000) NSW Industrial Noise Policy, NSW EPA 00/1.
