Noise, light and odour issues

Environmental nuisance issues, such as noise, dust, light and odour, are covered by environmental authority conditions if there is an environmental authority in place.

For environmental nuisance issues caused by a State or local government entity, or coming from an environmentally relevant activity (ERA) administered by the State you may wish to contact the Queensland Government. Refer to the reporting environmental nuisance issues webpage.

Environmental authority conditions may require companies to not cause environmental nuisance from noise at a sensitive receptor (a place where noise is measured to investigate whether impacts are occurring) or from dust, odour, light or smoke at a sensitive place (including for example a dwelling, library, childcare centre, medical centre, or a public park).

They may also set emissions limits to be met by the operator to comply with best practice or other specific arrangements around managing nuisance may be included if considered appropriate or necessary by the administering authority.

Written procedures may also be required through the conditions of the EA and may include steps for identifying and managing environmental nuisance.

Noise

An application for an environmental authority must identify the acoustic values of the area where the proposed activities are to be carried out. Acoustic values include:

health and biodiversity of ecosystems
human health and wellbeing, including ensuring a suitable acoustic environment for individuals to sleep, study or learn, and be involved in recreation, including relaxation and conversation
the amenity of the community.

Applicants must include an assessment of the likely impact of the activities on these acoustic values, including details of the management practices proposed to be implemented to prevent or minimise adverse impacts. This information allows the department to develop relevant conditions for the protection of the acoustic environment.

Noise management plans can also be required to address how activities will be carried out, according to best practice noise management principles. Best-practice noise management principles include:

noise impact assessments and emission calculations
stakeholder engagement
adoption of noise attenuating technologies for plant and equipment
minimising background creep
containing and minimising variable noise
avoiding sleep disturbance.

Environmental authorities can also contain noise criteria and other relevant requirements to ensure the protection of the acoustic environment at sensitive receptors. Operators are legally obligated to comply with the requirements of the environmental authority.

The Queensland Government has developed an Information sheet - Environmental Nuisance - Noise - Scare/Scatter guns ESR/2021/5865 to assist local councils, residents and businesses understand how noise from scare/scatter guns can be managed for our communities.

Air contaminants (dust, light and odour)

Applicants must identify environmental values that are relevant to air quality. These may include protecting:

the health and biodiversity of ecosystems
human health and wellbeing
the aesthetics of the environment, including the appearance of buildings, structures and other property
agricultural use of the environment.

The description of the environmental values of the air shed must be accompanied by details of the specific air quality objectives to be maintained in that air shed for the life of the activity. Companies are required to provide background air quality monitoring data and in certain instances, undertake air quality modelling to demonstrate that the air quality objectives are being maintained.

Operators must ensure that the release of dust, light, odour or any other airborne contaminants resulting from the activities do not cause an environmental nuisance to any sensitive receptor. Environmental authorities also include a suite of monitoring requirements for point source contaminant releases to air in order to demonstrate that companies are complying with their requirements.