Local Nuisance
The Local Nuisance and Litter Control Act 2016 (the Act) has now come into effect as of 1 July 2017. The Act was developed to support and enhance local amenity values by making specified matters such as noise and odour a local nuisance.
This is new legislation to Council and to the community; therefore in the first instance a person should try and discuss concerns with the people (e.g. neighbours) from where the nuisance is emanating from, as they may not be aware that they are causing a nuisance. Concerns should be raised and discussed, and suggestions provided to resolve problems - simple solutions can often be found that satisfy everyone.
Generally, Council will become involved if an issue within the community (e.g. between neighbours) cannot be resolved. Council will then try to work with the person causing the alleged nuisance to try and resolve the matter.
Backyard Burning
Keep South Australia’s air healthy and community safe by burning responsibly. Burning in the open is a common practice to reduce the risk of bushfires, manage agricultural land and to dispose of agricultural and forestry wastes. Open fires are also used to cook food, prepare beverages, and as part of recreational activities such as camp fires.
While activities such as burn offs for bushfire reduction are absolutely necessary, smoke from these activities can impact on human health and the environment, and can also cause nuisance. Wood smoke from burning in the open also contributes to poor air quality in South Australia
If you burn without a required permit you will be breaking the law and will be fined $300, under section 34 of the Environment Protection Act 1993, by Council Community Safety staff or South Australia Police. If you have any questions or to request a permit contact us on (08) 8405 6600 or email service@cityofpae.sa.gov.au
Local nuisance is described in the Act as being any adverse impact on the amenity value of an area, which unreasonably interferes with, or is likely to unreasonably interfere with, the enjoyment of that area by people in that area.
Some examples of activities that may be considered a local nuisance include:
- Bill Posting (PDF, 365.65 KB)
- Litter(PDF, 248.41 KB)
- Noise(PDF, 225.27 KB)
- Odour(PDF, 647.29 KB)
- Smoke(PDF, 263.67 KB)
- Dust(PDF, 552.34 KB)
Local nuisance within the community can also be caused by:
- Insanitary conditions(PDF, 162.34 KB) such as filthy or neglected premises and
- Unsightly conditions (PDF, 236.06 KB)
The Act specifies what can constitute a local nuisance and anything outside of this, Council can’t deal with, here are a few examples:
- People noise including music and voices from domestic premises – SAPOL investigate such complaints tel: 131 444
- Any activity from liquor licensed premises – Liquor Licensing Authority investigate such complaints tel: 131 882
- Noise from vehicles (other than vehicles operating within, or entering or leaving, business premises) SAPOL- tel: 131 444
- Activities controlled by an Environment Protection Authority SA licence – EPA tel: 8204 2004
A person’s activities should not unreasonably interfere with the well-being or enjoyment of an area by others. This includes not only the indoor and outdoor spaces of a person’s own property but public and community areas such as parks, other places of public recreation, and commercial precincts.
The community should all be mindful of the degree of potential local nuisance that can be generated by things such as unwarranted smoke, excessive noise, nuisance dust or unkempt properties and always seek to minimise such impacts as much as possible. Discussing any concerns with your neighbour/person causing the alleged nuisance may be all that is needed, but if further advice is required or you wish to lodge a complaint Council can be contacted on 8405 6600.
Council can grant an exemption from local nuisance-causing activities upon application. Exemptions may be reasonable for short-term activities - such as festivals, events or major construction activities - where some level of noise, dust, odour or other local nuisance is likely to be unavoidable.
Applications must, however, be accompanied by a nuisance management plan describing the steps that will be taken to prevent, minimise or address any adverse effects on the amenity value of the area concerned and also describing the exceptional circumstances that exist to justify the granting of an exemption.
Site plans and proposed communication strategy to affected neighbours will also be required as part of the application process.
Please contact us on 8405 6600 to discuss you application before completing a form for an exemption.
Exemption Register
| Applicant | Exemption Location | Period | Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hansen Yuncken | Lot 101 Victoria Rd Outer Harbour | October 2023 - 31 May 2024 4am -7am | Concrete pouring and pumping |
| Saunders International | 104 Pelican Point Rd Outer Harbour | 12 Feb 2024 - 30 June 2024 5am-7pm | General construction works |
| Hansen Yuncken | Lot 101 Victoria Rd Outer Harbour | 29 Feb 2024 - 29 Mar 2024 6am-7am | General construction works |
| Partek | 23 Newcastle St Rosewater | 6 March 2024 - 6 June 2024 6am - 7am | Concrete pouring and ancillary construction related activities |
| Heart Song Festival | Harts Mill | 20 April 2024 - 10:30am - 10:30pm | Live Music |
| Sarah Constructions | Western Regions - Cnr Bower Rd and Old Port Rd | 19 April 2024 - 3:00am - 7:00am | Concrete pouring and pumping |