Reporting environmental nuisance
Who manages environmental nuisance issues?
In Queensland, local governments are responsible for administering those parts of the Environmental Protection Act 1994 that manage environmental nuisance. There are some exceptions, so check the information below.
What is environmental nuisance?
Environmental nuisance is:
- unreasonable interference (or likely interference) with an environmental value caused by emissions of aerosols, fumes, light, noise, odour, particles (including dust) or smoke; or
- unhealthy, offensive or unsightly conditions caused by contamination.
Environmental values include the amenity of a place, such as a house, that make it suitable for anyone to sleep, study or relax there. These values can be affected by noise, dust, odour or light.
If noise, dust, odour or emissions are unreasonable and make it difficult for you to lead your life, it’s probably an environmental nuisance.
How to report environmental nuisance
There’s more than one way to report environmental nuisance.
Talk directly
You can contact the person or organisation causing the environmental nuisance.
Together, you might achieve an outcome that suits you both.
Talk to your local government
- For most environmental nuisance issues you should talk to your local government.
- If it is their responsibility, your local council will deal with the situation either under its own laws or the state regulations.
- Each local government has a complaint resolution process you can follow if you’re believe the process was not effective.
- You may also contact the Queensland Ombudsman.
Talk to the Queensland Government
- For environmental nuisance issues caused by a state or local government entity, or coming from an environmentally relevant activity (ERA) administered by the State you may wish to contact the Queensland Government.
- You can call the 24/7 Pollution Hotline on 1300 130 372 (option 2).
- You can complete an online environmental report, from either your desktop or mobile device.
- For ongoing issues you may also fill in either an odour log sheet or noise log sheet (DOCX, 184KB) and attach to the online reporting form or email to pollutionhotline@des.qld.gov.au when completed. Note: this email is only monitored 8.30am to 5.00pm business days.
- Please phone the 24/7 Pollution Hotline on 1300 130 372 (option 2) for all environmental emergencies.
Read more about reporting pollution.
What can a local government do about environmental nuisance?
Local governments can respond to your report or they can take action against someone causing an environmental nuisance.
Local government officers use noise and emission standards, such as audibility, duration, and frequency of noise; frequency and intensity of exposure to dust; or the nature and strength of odours, to decide if there is an environmental nuisance.
Local governments can act against people or organisations causing the environmental nuisance. This can include making them change their activities, pay a fine, and even taking them to court.
What are the exceptions?
Some situations are not managed by local government—you will have to contact a different authority.
- Noise from parties, cars, house alarms and trail bikes—call the Queensland Police Service (Police Link 131 444).
- Noise from licensed premises such as hotels and nightclubs—contact the Queensland Government’s liquor and gaming regulatory office on 13 QGOV (13 74 68) or make an online complaint.
- Emissions from some commercial activities may be permitted—call your local council to find out more.
- Nuisance caused by essential safety or essential government actions, such as emergency repairs—call your local council to find out more.
- Your council may also have restrictions about the level of noise from barking dogs, building sites, air conditioners and other devices.