Townsville builders reminded to stick to noise timeframes
Date published: 19 May 2021
Townsville City Council is reminding builders of their responsibility to stick to the Environmental Protection Act’s construction noise timeframes.
The act covers the entire Townsville Local Government Area and allows builders to work from 6:30am to 6:30pm Monday to Saturday. Builders who conduct work outside of those timeframes risk more than $10,000 in fines.
Community Health, Safety and Environment Sustainability chairperson Maurie Soars said it was essential for builders to stick to the allotted timeframes.
“Council officers have recorded an increase in incidents where building work has been happening outside of the allowable hours following an increase in complaints from residents,” Cr Soars said.
“These timeframes are important to protect the amenity of our neighbourhoods – nobody wants to be woken up at the crack of dawn by the sound of construction.
“It’s important that builders respect the Environmental Protection Act’s timeframes and don’t work outside of these times.”
Cr Soars said these rules applied to anyone conducting building work, including owner-builders.
“The timeframes apply to people who are building, repairing, altering, underpinning, moving or demolishing a building,” he said.
“Basically if you’re a builder, your tools need to be down between 6:30pm and 6:30am Monday to Saturday.”
He said there were also certain days where no building was permitted.
“Builders are not allowed to make noise on Sundays or on public holidays,” he said.
“Council can take enforcement action against builders making noise outside of these time frames. The fines can be more than $10,000, which just isn’t worth it.”
Complaints
2020: 98 out of a total of 261 noise complaints received related to building work noise.
1 January 2021 – 30 April 2021: 19 out of 73 noise complaints received related to building work noise.
