Specified Equipment

Summary of Regulation 14 of Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997

This information summarises the conditions that apply to “specified equipment” as described in the Environmental (Noise) Regulations 1997.

Definition:

Specified equipment is:
“any equipment, which requires the constant presence of an operator for normal use. It includes many common household items like lawnmowers, power tools, basketballs and musical instruments”.

It is understood that noise from specified equipment generally exceeds the assigned levels set in the regulations, therefore these assigned levels do not apply provided:

• The equipment is used:
  • between 7am and 7pm Monday to Saturday or
  • between 9am and 7pm on a Sunday or public holidays

Noise emitted from specified equipment outside of these hours must meet the assigned levels. To judge whether a noise emission exceeds the assigned levels, as a general rule, if you can hear the noise past your property boundary, it exceeds the assigned levels.

• The equipment must not be used for more than:
  • two hours per day or
  • one hour per day if it is a musical instrument
• The specified equipment must be used in a reasonable manner and the noise emitted must not unreasonably interfere with the health, welfare, convenience, comfort or amenity of an occupier of premises receiving the noise. Whether or not the noise emission unreasonably interferes is up to the discretion of the Environmental Health Officer.

For further information please contact the City on 9400 4933.