Complaining to the police
If you have an urgent complaint about noise, you can contact the police.
When to contact the police
You may contact the police if you have an urgent noise problem. For example, you may contact the police if:
- your neighbour is having a loud party late at night
- a house or car alarm is going off
- there is a noisy vehicle on private property
What the police can do
Depending on the circumstances, when responding to noise, police may:
- give a warning
- issue a noise abatement direction
- fine or charge a person
- seize equipment used to make noise.
Police may quickly deal with a one off noise problem by giving a warning. This means they will tell people to stop making the noise.
The police can also issue a noise abatement direction. A noise abatement direction requires the person to stop making the offensive noise or to limit the noise to certain days and/or certain times of the day. The police can issue the direction if the noise occurred within the last seven days.
A noise abatement direction lasts for 28 days from the date it is issued. If your neighbour continues to make the offensive noise, they will be breaching the direction and may be fined.
If the noise continues after a warning or direction you should contact the police. The police may issue a fine or charge a person with an offence. The police (or local council) also have powers that allow them to seize equipment used to make noise if the noise persists.
What if the noise continues?
If the problem continues, you may want to apply for a noise abatement order at the Local Court.
For more information, see Applying for a noise order.