By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
BUILDERS who breach residential noise laws can expect a $700 fine from the City of Casey after council recorded an 80 per cent rise in noise complaints over the last year.
There were 40 residential construction noise complaints during January to April this year, compared to 22 for the same period in 2013.
City of Casey acting manager Community Safety Rod Bezanovic said a significant portion of complaints received by council related to early morning construction noise associated with new dwellings in existing residential areas.
“Areas currently most affected primarily lie in the growth corridor areas of Clyde North, Cranbourne East and Cranbourne West,” he said.
“Council has undertaken an educative approach, but in light of increased community concern, council has recently transitioned to an approach of applying penalties for those found breaching the noise laws, with recent instances where council authorised officers have attended residential construction sites in early hours of the morning and provided on-site directions to cease noise.”
All residential construction sites are subject to the provisions of the Environment Protection Act, which prohibits unreasonable noise from residential premises, including those under construction.
According to the Act, it is an offence to emit noise from construction equipment and vehicles where it can be heard from neighbouring residential premises outside the permitted times.
Hours where construction equipment noise is strictly prohibited include 8pm to 7am from Monday to Friday, and 8pm to 9am on weekends and public holidays.
People or companies operating outside the permitted hours face on-the-spot fines of $722 for individuals and $1444 for companies.
City of Casey mayor Geoff Ablett said most of the noise complaints council received related to early starts, loud radios on sites, excessive hours of operation, and concreting trucks pouring on sites as early as 6am.
“To maintain amenity and the comfort of neighbouring residents, council is increasing monitoring and compliance to ensure that construction noise does not occur outside the allowable times or is excessive in nature,” he said.
For more information, visit the EPA website at www.epa.vic.gov.au, contact City of Casey Customer Service on 9705 5200 or visit the council’s website at www.casey.vic.gov.au/building.
