Environmental nuisance complaints process

People are sometimes unaware that their activities are causing a nuisance. Brisbane City Council encourages all residents and business operators to talk to their neighbours about nuisance problems before making a complaint.

Steps in the process

  1. Council writes to all parties about the issue and provides copies of relevant fact sheets and supporting information to assist parties in documenting an environmental nuisance diary (Word - 118kb).
  2. The parties are encouraged to discuss the problem and seek a possible solution.
  3. If the resident or business operator takes no action to solve the problem, and a second complaint is made, a council officer will investigate. If an offence has occurred, a notice may be issued to remedy the matter.
  4. If the resident or business still takes no action, an infringement notice may be issued.
  5. Council officers may issue on-the-spot fines after they investigate complaints. In the case of noise complaints, they may conduct noise monitoring from the complainant's premises.

Noise complaints

Check the list of noise complaints not handled by Council before you make a complaint.

Building noise complaints

Building noise complaints are handled differently to general noise complaints. Find more information about how to lodge a complaint about building noise.

Non-nuisance complaints

Some complaints investigated by Council, and specifically those relating to impacts on the natural environment, are not managed through the above process and can result in the issuing of on-the-spot fines, prosecution and court penalties. These complaints include:

Lodging a complaint

If your complaint is handled by Council, you will need to provide:

  • your name, address and phone number (this information is kept confidential during the investigation. However, should a formal notice be required it may be necessary to disclose your address)
  • you may be asked to consent to your address being disclosed should a formal notice be required. In some circumstances the complaint investigation cannot proceed unless this consent is provided.
  • nuisance description – the date, time and source address.

To make a complaint:

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