Palerang
Indicator: Noise
Results for this indicator are also available for [an error occurred while processing this directive]
What the results tell us for Palerang
The main noise complaints received by Council are in relation to barking dogs, estimated to be approximately 40 a year, and for motorbike noise complaints at approximately ten a year. Only a limited number of other complaints are received, such as for breaching conditions of consent for development approved by Council including construction activities being undertaken outside of permitted hours. As per the previous reporting period covering 2000-04, anecdotal evidence suggests that noise from motor bikes was the main issue in rural residential areas, while barking dogs still attracted the most complaints in the villages.
No formal monitoring is undertaken by Council apart from investigations of isolated incidents.
| Type of complaint | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barking dogs | - | - | - | 40 |
| Motorbike | - | - | - | 10 |
| Other | - | - | - | 5 |
Source: Palerang Council
The NSW Police also respond to noise complaints, particularly outside of normal working hours. Whilst no statistics were available from the Police for the Palerang Council area, they have reported that the most common noise complaints are related to parties, typically at night, followed by barking dogs.
Council Action
For most enquiries and complaints about noise, Council directs people to the noise brochures produced by the Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC), provided by council or DECC (including via their website http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/noise/noise_brochures.htm).
In dealing with the issue of barking dogs, Council follows the guidelines identified within the DECC brochure named “Dealing with barking dogs”. This brochure provides advice to owners on how to reduce barking and also offers the following steps for people affected by neighbour’s dogs, specifically:
- Talk to the dog’s owner – to inform them there is a problem;
- Contact a Community Justice Centre (CJC) – a free mediation service to settle differences between neighbours;
- Contact your local council – if mediation is unsuccessful and the noise problem persists, council may investigate and potentially take legal action;
- Seek a noise abatement order – from the local court, independently of council.
Council has found that this process works well in most cases, and the CJC reports a high level of success through independent mediation. Council is also in the process of producing education material for new ratepayers and staff compliance training to help reduce the incidence of unreasonable noise.
About the data
Information was supplied by Palerang Council.
