Air & Light Nuisances
Emissions into the air can cause a nuisance to neighbours and interfere with their normal daily activities. It can even affect their health under severe conditions.
Council only has jurisdiction to act on certain air pollution issues, and shares the responsibility of air emissions with other government bodies.
Who should I contact regarding air complaints?
| Light | Authority |
|---|---|
| Occurring on residential land and some commercial land | Council |
Read more about light nuisances in our residential light nuisance fact sheet (PDF 127 KB).
| Odour | Authority |
|---|---|
| Council sewage treatment plant | Council |
| Private sewage treatment plant Septic tank | Department of Environment and Resource Management |
| General (e.g. fertiliser, pesticides, waste, builders toilet) | Council |
| Smoke | Authority |
|---|---|
| Backyard burning | Council |
| Chimney smoke | Council |
| Bushfire smoke | Queensland Fire and Rescue Services |
| Smokey vehicle | Queensland Transport and Main Roads |
| Cigarette smoke | Queensland Health |
| Spray drift | Authority |
|---|---|
| Occuring on residential land and some commercial land | Council |
| Dust | Authority |
|---|---|
| Occuring from the clearing of vacant land in preparation for sub-division | Council |
| Occuring on residential land and some commercial land | Council |
Penalty
Any person who causes a nuisance may receive an infringement notice from Council with an on-the-spot fine of $550. Alternatively, Council may issue the person with a compliance notice or a stop order. Any person who fails to comply with the requirements of a compliance notice or stop order is liable to a maximum penalty of $5,500 or $22,000 respectively.
For further information on air nuisances, please contact Council on 07 3412 5318.
