Code of practice: construction hours and noise in the city centre

Measures to reduce noise and impose time restrictions on noisy demolition, excavation and construction activities.

Published 1 December 1992

Business trading beyond the lockdowns

It’s important local businesses and venues in the city can thrive and financially recover from the extended lockdown. We want to ensure this is balanced with residential amenity.

Takeaways

No-one wants to live next to a noisy building site. To balance the needs of the building industry and residents, we manage the amount of noise produced by construction works. Our code of practice governing the industry demands builders:

include measures to reduce noise in development applications
get advice from qualified and competent acoustic consultants on noise-compliance measures
restrict all potentially noisy construction activities from 7am and 7pm Monday to Friday and from 7am to 5pm Saturday for projects in the city centre
work from 7.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday and from 7.30am to 3.30pm Saturday in other parts of the city
not work on Sundays or public holidays anywhere in our local area – in certain instances these hours may be modified to restrict the use of particularly noisy machinery such as rock breakers, rock saws and pile drivers
take reasonable and practicable steps to prevent offensive noise.

Code of practice: construction hours and noise in the city

Fact sheet: construction noise

If possible, quieter machinery should replace noisy equipment. Noisy equipment can also be retrofitted with damping materials and mufflers. Acoustic barriers should be built around noisy operations if possible.

We won't necessarily stop the work if the contractor exceeds the levels in the code of practice. There are occasions where the sound levels from certain construction activities and equipment may not be able to meet the desirable criteria in the code despite the contractor taking all reasonable measures.

If activities and equipment can’t meet noise-restrictions, we may require developers to take regular breaks and respite periods to minimise impact on neighbours. These restrictions may be implemented during the development application phase or imposed if complaints arise during construction. We can also restrict the use of highly intrusive equipment.

Contractors are expected to implement a complaint monitoring and resolution procedure. A representative’s contact details must be publicly displayed at the site and made available to neighbouring noise-sensitive properties. Complaints and any subsequent action taken must be logged and available if we request this information.
If construction works are likely to have a significant impact on local communities, the developer must lodge a noise management plan with us. The plans should be completed by a suitably qualified and competent person, who possesses qualifications that make them eligible for membership for one of the following:
- Australian Acoustic Society
- Institution of Engineers Australia
- Australian Association of Acoustic Consultants.
The plan must contain comprehensive details of the work methods the developers will employ on site to fully comply with the code.

Where unforeseen problems with offensive noise occur during construction works, we can require additional controls under law. Developers may have to amend and review noise management plans and work methods when necessary.

To keep improving our city, we're reviewing the code and plan to update it in the future.

Code of practice: construction hours and noise in the city centre

Business trading beyond the lockdowns

Takeaways

Acceptable noise limits

Noise management plans