The Environmental Management and Pollution Control (Noise) Regulations 2026 establish a regulatory framework for the control of environmental noise in Tasmania under the Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act 1994. The Regulations apply to noise not already regulated by approved instruments such as environmental protection notices, permits or emergency authorisations, and exclude activities necessary for public health and safety, emergency services and the protection of plant and equipment during emergencies. They define key concepts including fixed equipment, motor vehicles, motor vessels, chainsaws and residential premises, and set out the scope of application of the noise control regime. The Regulations prohibit the operation of specified equipment and machinery during prescribed hours where the resulting noise is audible in habitable rooms of nearby residential premises. Schedule 1 establishes prohibited operating hours for chainsaws, portable equipment, vehicles, vessels, musical instruments, sound-amplifying equipment and garden maintenance machinery. The Regulations also impose noise limits for fixed equipment, restricting emissions to 45 dB(A) during daytime hours and 40 dB(A) during night-time hours, and specify methods for measuring compliance. Additional provisions regulate the recreational operation of motor vehicles and motor vessels near residential premises and restrict chainsaw use within 300 metres of residential areas unless authorised or falling within limited domestic-use exceptions. Enforcement provisions include offences for breaches of operating-hour restrictions, fixed-equipment noise limits, recreational vehicle and vessel noise controls, and chainsaw operation requirements.
Australia · 2026-08-10