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Council is responsible for enforcing environmental legislation concerning pollution incidents and general waste disposal. However, the Department of Environment & Climate Change (DECC) deals with major pollution and hazardous waste incidents.
Council Environmental Health Officers investigate complaints and assist with incidents involving the DECC and fire brigade as required.
After hours emergencies should contact the DECC Environment Line, 131 555 or local police in the case of noise.
Council rangers also investigate some complaints, eg barking dogs and littering.
Dumped Rubbish on Public Land
Council's rangers investigate illegal dumping on Council land. Any person wishing to report illegal dumping in progress should contact Council's Customer Service Centre, (02) 9952 8222 during office hours, or the DECC Environment Line after hours 131 555.
In cases, which do not require immediate action, the details will be referred for investigation to the Chief Ranger.
Reports of one-off items being dumped, eg: mattresses, bag of rubbish or newspapers / pamphlets, will be forwarded to the Rangers for action.
Noise Pollution
Certain articles may not be used on residential premises between certain times if they can be heard inside a neighbour's house.
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Noise Source from residential premises |
Time restrictions |
| Power tools and equipment * |
8pm to 8am on Sundays and public holidays
8pm to 7am on weekdays and Saturdays |
| Musical instruments and electrically amplified sound equipment ** |
Midnight to 8am on Friday, Saturday or any day preceding a public holiday
10pm to 8am on any other day |
| Air conditioners and heat pump water heaters |
10pm to 8am on weekends and public holidays
10pm to 7am on weekdays |
Motor vehicles (except when entering or leaving
residential premises) |
8pm to 8am on weekends and public holidays
8pm to 7am on weekdays |
| Refrigeration units fitted to motor vehicles |
8pm to 8am on weekends and public holidays
8pm to 7am on weekdays |
Table 1: Time restrictions when noise from residential premises should not be heard inside a neighbour’s residence
* powered garden tools – e.g. lawn mowers and leaf blowers – electric or pneumatic tools, chainsaws, circular saws, gas or air compressors and
swimming pool or spa pumps.
** radios, TVs, tape recorders, CD and DVD players, and home theatre systems.
- Building intruder alarms must stop sounding within 10 minutes of being activated, and must not start again without being manually re-set.
- The operating hours of commercial and industrial premises are generally restricted by development consent conditions. The operating noise level of plant and equipment on these premises may also be restricted by consent conditions.
Council Environmental Health Officers investigate noise complaints. If the noise is occurring at the time should contact Council's Customer Service Centre, (02) 9952 8222 during office hours, or contact the local police if urgent attention is required after hours (e.g. loud parties, noisy intruder alarms).
In cases, which do not require immediate attention, the details will be referred to the area Environmental Health Officer for investigation.
Further Information: Dealing with Neighbourhood Noise - Department of Environment & Climate Change (NSW)
Turn in a Tosser
The DECC Environment Line, 131 555, takes reports of people tossing litter out of car windows, and are able to issue fines if sufficient information is provided.
Reports need to include the registration details of the vehicle, and the time, date and location of the incident. It is also of assistance if the car’s make, model and are given, as well as a description of the item thrown from the vehicle and from which window it was thrown.
Reports can be made 24hrs a day, 7 days a week, and callers are required to leave their name and phone number. All information provided is confidential.
Water
Council Environmental Health Officers investigate water pollution incidents and arrange emergency clean-ups if required. There is no fee for reporting an incident. Any person wishing to report an incident should during contact Council's Customer Service Centre, (02) 9952 8222 during office hours, or the DECC Environment Line after hours, 13 1555.
Tips for Cleaner Wood Heating
The improved management of woodsmoke emissions is an air quality priority. The Department of Environment and Climate Change is working with Governments at all levels to reduce the amount of woodsmoke in our urban areas.
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