Report unwanted noise from retail, commercial or industrial premises
Noise from retail, commercial and industrial operations can have an unwelcome impact at times, but these businesses are subject to controls.
Project Status: When you need to do this
If you have a concern about a type of excessive noise from retail, commercial or industrial operations, you can report it to us. If we can’t investigate it, we’ll refer you to the appropriate authority.
Entertainment noise from licensed premises
Licensed premises include pubs, clubs, small bars, restaurants, cafes and other entertainment venues that supply and sell alcohol.
From 1 July 2024, complaints about entertainment noise from licensed premises need to be reported to Liquor & Gaming NSW. Follow the steps to resolve your concerns.
What you need to do
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Reporting excessive noise from retail, commercial or industrial operations
We can investigate noise complaints about retail and commercial operations and plant form most premises in the City of Sydney local area. In most incidences we’re also the appropriate regulator for investigating noise from smaller industrial operations.
Note, some premises or land fall outside our authority due to the ownership of the property or land. This makes it the responsibility of other authorities to regulate, for example state government operations. In these cases we’ll refer you to the relevant authority.
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Contact us to make a report
Further information
Noise from commercial operations, plant and industrial activity
Typical issues associated with commercial premises include:
- noise from different types of plant
- forklifts/delivery vehicle noise
- loading docks and waste handling noise (not collections)
- commercial/process-related noise and associated business activities.
Typical issues with industrial noise will also include activities such as manufacturing, heavy processes, dismantling and assembly, refining, servicing and repairing.
Development conditions of consent for noise also apply to most commercial operations and industrial activities in the City of Sydney local area. We apply a variety of noise conditions at the planning and development stage to reduce the risk of noise problems developing once a commercial operation has been approved.
Some premises may not have been subject to planning controls or there may be other circumstances leading to a noise nuisance. In such circumstances where we have been able to gather appropriate evidence and the noise impact has been assessed as excessive, we may be able to take action to address an environmentally unsatisfactory situation separate to a development approval.
Entertainment noise from licensed premises
Licensed premises include pubs, clubs, small bars, restaurants, cafes and other entertainment venues that supply and sell alcohol. Noise from these venues can reach unreasonable levels at times.
The NSW Government changed relevant noise control law to make Liquor & Gaming NSW the lead regulator for entertainment noise from licensed premises, effective from 1 July 2024.
Complaints about entertainment noise, for example unwanted music and patron sound impacts from licensed venues, are now led by Liquor & Gaming NSW.
You can raise concerns about ongoing entertainment noise with Liquor & Gaming NSW.
Other useful contacts
The NSW Environment Protection Authority provides contacts for noise pollution and information on noise regulation in NSW.
