Smoke, Noise & Odours

Noise

Common complaints include loud music, machinery, power tools, construction outside permitted hours, alarms, amplified sound, and barking dogs. Whether noise is considered unreasonable depends on its volume, duration, time of day, frequency, and impact on neighbours. Council may ask you to keep a noise diary to support an investigation.

Smoke

Complaints typically involve wood heaters, backyard burning, or commercial emissions. To minimise smoke from wood heaters, burn only dry untreated wood, avoid smouldering fires, and keep your heater well maintained. Burning prohibited materials — such as plastics, treated timber, rubber, or household waste — may be unlawful.

Odours

Council investigates persistent or offensive odours from businesses, industrial activities, composting, wastewater, burning, and animal or agricultural activities. Some investigations may require monitoring over time or involvement from other authorities.

Before Reporting an issue

We encourage neighbours to try to resolve disputes privately and amicably before taking Council action. Before reaching out to us, consider:

• Have you spoken with your neighbour about your concern?
• Regarding noise nuisances, have you kept a noise diary with dates & times of nuisance?
• Do you have the correct address of where the concern is being emitted from?

How to report an issue

When reporting, include the address, a description of the issue, dates and times it occurs, and how it’s affecting you. Contact Council via:

• Phone: 03 6216 6800
• Email: environmentalhealth@gcc.tas.gov.au
• Online: Council’s report form

For urgent matters outside business hours — such as serious pollution or public health risks — call 03 6216 6800 and follow the after-hours instructions.

Note that privacy obligations may limit what Council can share about the outcomes of investigations involving other individuals or businesses.