Environmental Health

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Environmental Nuisances

Western Down Regional Council's Environmental Health Section works diligently to address environmental nuisances that impact our community's wellbeing.

Council understands that these issues can significantly affect residents' quality of life and are here to help you navigate the appropriate channels for resolution. In many cases, the best first step is to communicate directly with those responsible for the nuisance, as they may not be aware of the impact their actions are having.

If the issue remains unresolved, Council has the jurisdiction to act on certain matters, however, responsibility for environmental health is shared with other government bodies. Below, you'll find information on who to contact for various types of nuisances.

Abandoned Vehicles

Council can only remove abandoned vehicles from public roads or land.

To report an abandoned vehicle, please Contact Us.

If the vehicle is on private property, the owner of the property will need to contact Police and seek further advice on removal. 

Air Pollution (dust, light, odour, smoke)

Environmental Health can investigate numerous types of air pollution nuisances:

  • Dust pollution occurring due to the development/subdivision of residential land and some commercial land  
  • Light pollution from spotlights or security lights on residential and some commercial land
  • Odour pollution caused by septic tanks, treatment plants, waste, fertilisers etc.
  • Smoke pollution from backyard burning or chimney smoke
  • Spray drift occurring on residential and some commercial land

Please Contact Us to lodge an air pollution nuisance request.

Air pollution outside of Council authority:

Barking Dogs

In the first instance, Council recommends contacting your neighbour directly to express your concerns. Your neighbour may not be aware that the barking is occuring or that it is causing a nuisance.

A letter or one of Council's flyers in their mailbox is a simple alternative if speaking to them directly is not an option.

Barking Dog Flyer(PDF, 650KB)

If the barking continues, you can Contact Us and lodge a barking dog complaint.

Please visit Council's Responsible Pet Ownership page for further information.

Illegal Dumping

Please refer to Council's dedicated Illegal Dumping page.

Illegal Parking

To report a vehicle illegally parked please contact Council.

For further information on parking, please refer to Local Law No. 5 (Parking) 2011

Noise and noise restrictions

Council’s role in managing noise is limited to certain types of noise, and we work with other government agencies to address matters outside our authority. The guide below explains permitted noise levels, allowable times, and which organisation to contact for different noise issues.

 

Aircraft Noise

All aircraft noise — contact Airservices Australia on 1800 802 584

Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Equipment

5Db(A) above background noise between 7am and 10pm

3Db(A) above background noise between 10pm and 7am

Contact Council to lodge a noise nuisance complaint

Amplified Sound, Parties & People Noise

Household music (e.g. stereo, instrument) — contact Police on 131 444

Parties or disruptive behaviour — Police on 131 444

Burglar alarms (home or car) — Police on 131 444

Contact Council to lodge a noise nuisance complaint

Concerts & events — contact Council

Council events — contact Council

Commercial Building Work

Monday–Saturday:

6.30am–6.30pm: Noise permitted

6.30pm–6.30am: No audible* noise

Sunday & Public Holidays:

No audible* noise permitted

 Contact Council to lodge a noise nuisance complaint

Licensed Premises (Pubs, Clubs, RSL)

All enquiries — contact Liquor Licensing Division on 13 13 04

Regulated Devices (e.g. power tools, mowers, leaf blowers)

Operated on residential or some commercial land — contact us for clarification. Devices include: compressors, vacuum systems, generators, grass-cutters, impacting tools, mulchers, etc.

Monday–Saturday:

7am–7pm: Use permitted

7pm–7am: No audible* noise

Sunday & Public Holidays:

8am–7pm: Use permitted

7pm–8am: No audible* noise

Contact Council to lodge a noise nuisance complaint

Swimming Pool & Spa Pumps

Any day:

7am–7pm: Max. five (5) decibels above background

7pm–10pm: Max. three (3) decibels above background

10pm–7am: No audible* noise

Contact Council to lodge a noise nuisance complaint

Vehicle Noise

Trail bikes on private land — Police

Trail bikes or racetracks on Council land — contact Council

Noisy vehicles — Queensland Transport on 13 23 80

‘Hoons’ or reckless driving — Police on 13 4666 (13 HOON)

Major road traffic noise — Department of Main Roads on 1800 806 414

After-hours deliveries or refrigerated vehicles — contact Council

*Audible noise is defined as sound clearly heard by a person inside a building affected by the source. Refer to the Environmental Protection Act 1994 for more information.

Download Noise Regulation Fact Sheet(PDF, 221KB)

Overgrown and Unsightly Allotments

Under Local Law No. 3 (Community and Environmental Management 2011), Council has authority to manage issues such as excessive vegetation growth and the unsightly accumulation of objects or materials that may affect the community's appearance or safety.

Council do not have the authority to determine if a rural property poses a Fire Risk. If you are worried about a neighbouring block causing a Fire Hazard you should contact the Rural Fire Service.

If you’ve noticed an issue, please contact Council to report it.

Please note Council does not investigate complaints about overgrown allotments on rural or non-urban properties.

Environmentally Relevant Activities

Western Downs Regional Council’s Environmental Health Section is responsible for implementing specific provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1994 and subordinate legislation in relation to some business operations, and general environmental duty. 
 
Business operations involving industrial or intensive animal industries that have the potential to release emissions which impact on the environment and surround land uses, require approval and registration under this legislation.
 
Below are the relevant application forms required for this registration. Please note that new operations may also require a development approval with the Planning Department. 

 

Hazardous Chemicals

Storage handling and use of hazardous chemicals and major hazard facilities is regulated by Queensland Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (WHS Act).  For enquiries in relation to storage of Flammable and Combustible Liquids Storage, please contact Work Safe Qld by visiting their website www.worksafe.qld.gov.au.

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