Excessive Noise Complaint falls on Deaf Ears
I live within Maroondah Council in Victoria. I have lived at my current address for 8 years.
For the last 5 months I have written several complaint letters to the council about a business emitting excessive noise past 11pm. I have been advised that the business is currently running as a Function Facility without the appropriate licence. It does have a licence to run as a Tavern. Both licences allow the sale of alcohol and playing of music as long as they abide by relevant legislation.
After so many months of doing the right thing I am at a loss as to what I need to do. I contact the Police when the offending noise is occurring, but they never have any cars that can attend. I have corresponded with the planning department via mail, email and phone. I am told the proprietor has been officially warned and yet they still have excessive noise into the early hours of the morning (Usually 1am).
So what do I do now? Do I complain about the council? If so, to whom? Is there anyone that can be contacted to monitor the noise levels when they are occurring (The planning department employee attended on a Friday, but there was no loud music on that particular night). How do I prove my case if no one attends the site when the loud noise is occurring? If the council knows that the business is running as a Function Facility without the appropriate licence, what recourse do they have?
I believe the business Licence number is 32282268. Anticipating your help and a good night’s sleep!
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Comments
This problem is easily fixed. Try to involve other residents that share your concerns and who are also challenged by the excessive noise past 11:00pm. Attend the next Ordinary meeting of council and ask the question a public question time. This puts Council on notice publically, they don't like that. Also, start a petition to be tabled at council and never underestimate the power of the Environment Protection Authority (EPA), work with them not against. They have always proven to me to be very good value.
Thanks for the information. I did a letterbox drop to surrounding houses with a copy of my council complaint letter and a "How To" information page for people to follow up themselves. The council says they have not received any complaints from other residents. I am now wondering whether this is true. Thankyou about the information about the council meeting. This will be my next step. Thanks again.
Progress so far - the premises operator has been asked by Maroondah council to hire the services of a noise assessor. This is self regulatory as in the premises causing the excessive noise is required to monitor their own noise levels. The assessor completed the first of three assessments last week to no avail - The noise levels were only 2 decibels above background noise with background noise noted as about 31 decibels (Who would have thought that the owners would turn the music down when they knew someone was assessing them - read sarcasm here) I am now going to hire my own noise assessor. If anyone knows a good one, please post here.
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