survey results

1
neighbourhood
noise
survey results

This is an extract of a report from a community
noise survey done by instinct and reason for DEC
in 2004, with the aim of informing the DEC's
review of noise regulations, which is conducted
every five years.
2
presentation overview
introduction and background
objectives and study design
nature and extent of noise
behaviours and actions
issues and attitudes
preferred solutions
knowledge and legislation
3
introduction

• This document covers the results of a survey
  designed to enhance the understanding of the
  issues surrounding neighbourhood noise in NSW so
  that good policy can be developed to enable fair
  neighbourhood activity without inconveniencing
  the community unduly
• The strategic outcomes DEC seeks is to be able to
  use this work to
• Identify current attitudes, knowledge and
  behaviours in relation to noise issues
• Inform planning, implementation and evaluation of
  future legislation, programs and initiatives
  targeting this issue
• This survey is about understanding how the
  community experience, act and feel in various
  situations involving neighbourhood noise

4
research objectives
Given that the goal of this neighbourhood noise
survey was to increase the amount of knowledge
about how the community currently experiences
noise then there were as a result, four primary
research objectives set to be achieved, including

1. Identify the nature and extent of neighbourhood
   noise impacts being experienced by the NSW
   community
2. Identify community awareness of, and attitudes to
   neighbourhood noise problems
3. Identify community preferences concerning
   potential solutions to noise problems - in
   particular views concerning the appropriate level
   of restriction on legitimate noise activity such
   as lawn mowing and using power tools
4. Gauge the level of public awareness and
   understanding of current legislation and
   enforcement options, including what works, what
   doesnt and what's missing, and to explore
   aspects of current knowledge, attitudes and
   behaviours regarding noise

5
study design

• The study was based on personal telephone
  interviews amongst community members
• Sample selection was on a quota basis using
  two factors gender to ensure a broad cross
  section, and location. Location was based on
  place of residence in either inner metro areas,
  outer suburban areas and in rural and small town
  areas of NSW. The final database was as follows

Males Females
Metro inner 106 134
Metro outer suburban 137 124
Rural/small town 102 147
Total 345 405
6
who did we speak to?

• The study reached a wide cross section of the NSW
  community
• Living in different residential circumstances
• separate housing (N544)
• semi-detached, row or terrace, townhouse (N75)
  and
• in flats units or apartments (N121)
• owners (N341)
• non owners (N288) and
• renters (N101)
• Age groups
• under 39 (N295)
• 40-59 (N298) and
• 60plus (N157)

7
nature

extent
8
problems experienced in local area
Base Total Sample N750
Q1. Which of the following, if any, do you
consider to be a problem in your area that
affects your quality of life at home or
in your local area? Multiple response
9
problems experienced in local area continued

• Slightly more than one in five indicated noise
  from neighbours as being a problem, however, to
  put this in context, noise from neighbours is
  considered far less a problem than many other
  aspects of urban living
• Noise from traffic is by far the most prevalent
  problem, whilst noise from barking dogs is
  experienced by over a third
• Concerns over neighbourhood noise peaks amongst
  flat, unit and apartments dwellers (34 compared
  to 21 of total sample), is slightly higher in
  the outer city suburban areas (26) and lowest in
  rural or small town locations (16)
• Neighbourhood noise is stated as a problem more
  by the young (24 of under 39 compared to 17 of
  those over 60)

10
extent of noise heard in the home
Base Total Sample N750
Q2. Irrespective of whether you find the noise
annoying or disturbing, can you tell me what
extent you can hear noise from your
current neighbourhood when you are at home?
Single response
11
extent of noise heard in the home continued

• For some in the community (21 much, all the
  time or quite often), neighbourhood noise is a
  fairly constant factor in their environment.
• This constancy increases with the proximity of
  other residential dwelling to 28 for those in
  semi-detached or townhouses, and 37 for those
  in flats or units.
• Aligned with this is the greater extent of
  neighbourhood noise being experienced in inner
  city areas (28 compared to 18 for suburban and
  16 for rural and small towns).

12
impact of neighbourhood noise on the individual
Base Total Sample N750
Q3. And what extent are you personally bothered,
annoyed or disturbed by noise from your current
neighbourhood? Single response
13
impact of neighbourhood noise on the individual
continued

• A significant minority one in eight of our
  community also consider neighbourhood
  noise to be personally annoying or disturbing
  (12 extremely or very)
• At the other end of the scale, less than half
  (42 not at all) feel they have escaped any
  psychological impact
• Again the degree of intrusion is closely
  related to the proximity of the dwelling (9 for
  separate housing, 17 for semi-detached and
• 20 for flat, unit or apartment dwellers)
• All of this higher impact group evince a high
  degree of concern in relation to neighbourhood
  noise

14
type of noise experienced and its impact on the
individual
Type of noise Aware N750 Extremely Very A little Not at all
Motor vehicles in general 50 10 16 56 18
Garbage collection 39 3 17 55 26
Animals (barking dog) 34 6 14 62 18
Motorcycles 30 15 20 50 15
Loud music 27 8 15 53 24
Modified vehicles 24 14 18 49 19
Powered garden tools 23 3 10 51 36
House alarms 20 2 11 66 21
Pubs/entertainment venues 9 9 27 45 19
A/C or pool pump 5 3 11 57 30
Other 22 - - - -
Impact
Base N74
Q4a. Which of the following noises have you been
aware of inside your home from your current
neighbourhood? Multiple response. ASK FOR
EACH NOISE AWARE OF IN Q4a Q4b. What extent are
you personally bothered, annoyed or
disturbed by INSERT NOISE? Single response
15
type of noise awareness continued

• Again, motor vehicle noise in general is
  identified as a source that most are aware of.
  This is particularly so for dwellers in
  semi-detached and flats and also correlated with
  the inner city dwellers (64 and 60
  respectively)
• Garbage collection is the next most nominated
  noise source again dwellers in semis and
  flats/units etc. nominating it more often (53
  and 42 respectively), than separate housing
  dwellers (37)
• Third most nominated is animal noises
  (specifically barking dogs) this is less of a
  problem for flat dwellers (21).
• Fourth most nominated are motorcycles and again
  semi and flat dwellers are the highest nominators
  (37 and 38 respectively)

16
noise impact or intrusion continued

• Whilst motorcycles may be fourth in terms of
  awareness, the impact or degree of annoyance is
  particularly high amongst those aware of this
  noise source
• Similarly, the same comment can be made for
  modified vehicles
• Combining both awareness and impact (degree of
  annoyance), we can create a Noise Impact
  Matrix that can help show where action is
  needed. High levels of awareness and annoyance
  need the greatest attention, while high levels
  of awareness and low levels of annoyance need
  lesser attention.

17
noise impact matrix
2
4
Low Awareness High Annoyance
High Awareness High Annoyance
Annoyance
Low Awareness Low Annoyance
High Awareness Low Annoyance
1
3
Awareness
18
noise impact matrix
4
2
Pubs entertainment venues
Motorcycles
Modified vehicles
Motor vehiclesin general
Loud music
Annoyance (Extremely/Very)
Animals
Garbage collection
A/C or pool pump
Power garden tools
House alarms
1
3
Awareness ( of people)
19
behaviours
actions

20
complaints made about noise
Base Total Sample N750
Q5a. Have you ever complained about a noise
issue by a neighbour? Single response Q5b.
Has anyone ever complained about a noise
issue caused by you? Single response
21
complaints made about noise continued

• Despite the high awareness, and in some cases
  the high level of annoyance created, the level
  of complaint action against neighbours is
  considerably lower presumably because many of
  the sources of noise are often not neighbour
  specific and therefore felt to be outside a
  community members control.
• However, it is clear that the closer the
  dwelling proximity (crowding), the more common
  the complaint level. Those living in semis or
  flats have almost double the level of complaint
  making behaviour (23 and 22 respectively) as
  those living in separate housing (12).
• This pattern is also reflected in the higher
  levels of complaints made in inner city
  environments (18) compared to rural or small
  town environments (12).

22
complaints received about noise

• Whilst complaints received were lower than
  complaints made, a similar pattern occurs as
  those for complaints made i.e. higher levels
  amongst closer proximity dwellings and in inner
  city areas.
• Of those having had a complaint made against
  them, most had a perception that the level of
  noise was not inappropriate hence were
  presumably surprised by the complaint. Roughly
  the same number however recognised that the the
  noise being made was perhaps badly timed or a
  rarity.
• In general, the great majority were responsive to
  the complaint either ceasing the noise
  completely or taking steps to reduce the noise.
  Only a small minority ignored or reacted
  negatively (9).

23
perceptions about complaints made against
Q5c
Q5d
Base Those who have had a noise complain made
against them N57
Q5c. How would you describe the noise that you
were making when the complaint was made? Single
response Q5d. Following the complain
against you, to what degree did you make efforts
to change the noise? Single response
24
where complaints are lodged
Base Total Sample N750
Q8. Have you ever complained about a noise issue
by a neighbour to any of the following? Multiple
response
25
where complaints are lodged continued

• A direct approach to the noise maker is the
  preferred approach by the majority (56) of those
  ever complaining. This is closely followed by
  complaints to police (46).
• Complaints made to local government is a very
  distant third at 10, however this rises to 22
  amongst those in semi-detached/ townhouses etc.
  Local government in this case may be the
  landlord.
• Complaints both directly and to the police
  increase dramatically in semi-detached and unit
  or flat dwellings. In the later case increasing
  to 74 for direct complaints and 41 for
  complaints to police.

26
perceptions as to effectiveness of complaint
Base Those who have complained N156
Q9. Thinking about your complaint, how effective
do you think it was? Single response
27
effectiveness of complaint continued

• Whilst two thirds overall felt that their
  complaints were effective to some degree in
  abating the noise problem, this varied markedly
  depending on the approach taken.
• Those approaching directly or using the Police
  were by far perceived as the most effective. On
  the other hand, those few approaching Local
  Government for redress were largely disappointed
  (75 stating it was not effective).
• Small Base.
• This pattern is also reflected in how well the
  complaint was resolved to the satisfaction of the
  complainant.
• - over half were dissatisfied when Local
  Government agencies were involved.
• - a third or less if the Police or being
  directly resolved.

28
satisfaction with complaint resolution
Base Those who have complained N142
Q10. Thinking about your complaint, how
effective do you think it was? Single response
29
reasons for not making a complaint
Base Total Sample N750 (note 60 did not
complain)
Q11. And why did you not complain? Multiple
response
30
reasons for not making a complaint continued

• The willingness to tolerate neighbours noise,
  given that the occurrence of the noise is
  irregular, is a major factor in limiting
  complaints. This is followed by a fear that
  complaining may generate a backlash or
  repercussions with neighbours a fear more
  prevalent amongst flat, unit and apartment
  dwellers. This is further reinforced by those
  feeling they needed to keep the peace with
  neighbours.

31
result of complaint on relationship with
neighbour
Base Those who have complained N323
Q12. How did the relationship with your
neighbours change as a result of the complaint?
Single response
32
issues

attitudes
33
issues with neighbourhood noise(1 is strongly
disagree and 10 is strongly agree)
Mean
People in my immediate area tend too look out for each other 6.3
I shouldnt be able to hear noise from neighbours at any time 4.9
Noise is only acceptable at certain times 6.7
People are entitled to make noise providing they get permission/let neighbours know 6.8
I should be able to make noise in my own home its my personal side 6.3
I would not feel comfortable approaching my neighbour about a noise problem 5.0
Where I live I think it is reasonable to expect some noise from neighbours 5.9
Car and house alarms are necessary to maintain neighbour security 6.6
Motorcycle noise is more annoying than noise from cars 6.6
I feel a more stringent set rules should apply to noise from private activities than for public works 5.0
If neighbourhood noise gets too much I have faith in the council being able to control it 5.2
Base Total Sample N750
34
issues with neighbourhood noise
Disagree (1-3) Moderate (4-7) Agree (8-10)
People in my immediate area tend too look out for each other 16 48 36
I shouldnt be able to hear noise from neighbours at any time 27 58 15
Noise is only acceptable at certain times 6 58 36
People are entitled to make noise providing they get permission/let neighbours know 7 52 41
Base Total Sample N750
35
issues with neighbourhood noise
Disagree (1-3) Moderate (4-7) Agree (8-10)
I should be able to make noise in my own home its my personal space 9 60 31
I would not feel comfortable approaching my neighbour about a noise problem 35 43 22
Where I live I think it is reasonable to expect some noise from neighbours 16 58 26
Car and house alarms are necessary to maintain neighbour security 9 53 38
Base Total Sample N750
36
issues with neighbourhood noise
Disagree (1-3) Moderate (4-7) Agree (8-10)
Motorcycle noise is more annoying than noise from cars 11 51 38
I feel a more stringent set of rules should apply to noise from private activities than for public works 24 63 13
If neighbourhood noise gets too much I have faith in the council being able to control it 26 53 21
Base Total Sample N750
37
issues with neighbourhood noise continued

• Responses regarding various noise issues are well
  distributed across the agree disagree scale.
• There is a seminal clustering of the data into
  two groups. Those that could probably be defined
  as the Noise Sensitives being less than
  tolerant of neighbours, less likely to tolerate
  noise or intrusion. They are more likely to be
  younger (under 39), female and perhaps in poorer
  accommodation I.e. close (100 metres) to a rail
  line, and in a flat or unit and mortgaged. The
  second group could be defined as the Noise
  Tolerant you tolerate some noise from us, we
  in turn tolerate some noise from you on an
  occasional basis. These are more community
  involved people they are more likely to be
  owners of their place of residence (40-59).
• However, these two attitudinal clusterings are
  not clearly defined. Consistent profiling of
  those two groups is not clear cut and there is a
  lot of overlap in terms of attitudes. Nor do they
  provide clear explanations of many of the
  behavioural responses that make up the weight of
  the study.

38
preferred
solutions
39
effective way to deal with noise complaints
Base Total Sample N750
Q13. Which in your opinion or experience is most
effective in dealing with noise complaints?
Single response
40
reduce noise problems what should local
council state government do?
Base Total Sample N750
Q14. Which three of the following do you think
are most important for the local council or state
government to do to reduce problems of
noise by neighbours? Single response
41
reducing noise problems continued

• Responding quickly to incidents by the
  appropriate authorities, a continuing education
  program and resolving disputes quickly are put
  forward as the three major avenues in reducing
  neighbourhood noise.
• Response times and education are equally
  supported across all age and gender groups whilst
  younger males are slightly more supportive of
  quick resolution than other groups.
• On a second tier, tougher legislation, more
  information about what powers are available to
  curtail noise, and a 24 hour noise service are
  put forward as supporting elements.

42
placing limits on noise what is a suitable time
for noise to cease
Base Total Sample N750
Q6. In general, until what time of night do you
think it is acceptable to make noise that can be
heard inside your house a) on the weekend
and b) during the week? Single response
43
placing limits on noise what is a suitable
time to cease (accumulative)
44
placing limits on noise continued

• During weekdays the midpoint time, i.e. the
  time half the population considers noise to be
  unacceptable, is between 10pm and 10.30pm. This
  varies little across the three zones (inner city,
  suburban and rural) although inner city
  dwellers are marginally in favour of a later
  time.
• During the weekend this time is advanced by an
  hour to 11.30pm each of the three zones being
  very similar in their view on this.

45
knowledge
of
legislation
46
awareness of legal restrictions relating to
34 claim to be aware of laws that exist on
making noise in their neighbourhood. Of these
most (83) are aware of restrictions around the
time of day noise is made
Base Those aware of regulations N253
Q16. Do these laws relate to the? Multiple
response
47
appropriateness of regulations
Total N253 Very appropriate Appropriate Not appropriate
Length of time noise is made 104 37 58 6
Time of day noise is made 209 40 56 4
Offensive noise 105 37 57 6
Other 15 13 60 27
Caution small base size
Base Those aware of the specified legislation
N253
Q17. How appropriate do you feel these types of
laws are? Single response
48
awareness and appropriateness of legal
restrictions on noise continued

• Only a third claimed knowledge of laws that exist
  to control noise, males (41) and those 4059
  (40) claimed a greater level of awareness than
  other groups.
• The highest level of claimed awareness was in
  relation to the time of day that the noise is
  made. This level of awareness was particularly
  high amongst those resident in outer city suburbs
  (95) and least so in rural or small towns (69).
• Laws relating to the length or duration of the
  noise has a far less claimed awareness level as
  does that for offensiveness of the noise made.
• All three areas of law, time of duration, length
  of duration and offensiveness were equally
  supported as being appropriate to be legislated
  for. Only very small minorities felt legislation
  in regard to each would be inappropriate.
  Generally males were, by a matter of degree, more
  supportive of legislation (i.e. more strongly in
  support) than females.

49
knowledge of noise laws
Every vehicle on road cannot be noisier than a
set level
You can be as noisy as you like during the day
Only police can enforce noise laws
Some noisy garden appliances have noise labels on
them to help you buy the quietest
Motor cycle mufflers have to carry a noise label
The regulations control on road vehicles but not
vehicles traveling off road
Offensive noise means noise above a prescribed
level
You cant mow your lawn late at night
Base Total Sample N750
Q17b. For the next statements, can you please
tell me whether you think they are true or false?
Single response
50
knowledge of noise laws continued

• Despite the level of claimed awareness in regards
  to law that is in place, there are large
  portions of the population that either harbour
  misapprehension or are ignorant of the nature of
  those laws.
• The highest levels of ignorance or
  misapprehension relate to
• - the meaning of the term offensive noise
• - the right to mow your lawn late at night
• - regulations that apply both on and off road
• The highest levels of knowledge i.e. the greatest
  degree of correctness relate to
• - the level of noise permitted or set of all
  road vehicles
• - whether or not you can be excessively noisy
  during the day
• - whether only police are responsible for noise
  enforcement
• With some exceptions, males tend to be marginally
  more correct about these regulations than do
  females especially in regard to those relating
  to vehicle noise.

51
current noise experience noises people
make/experience occasionally or regularly
Base Total Sample N750
Q18. Which of the following neighbourhood noise
to you currently experience either regularly or
occasionally? Q19. And being honest which ones
would you generate either regularly or
occasionally?
52
current noise generated continued

• The most significant noise sources indicated is
  that of amplified music played after midnight.
  Not surprisingly, this has higher claim rates
  amongst younger (under 39), male and those
  resident in flats, units or apartments.

53
current noise experience continued

• Of the three major noise sources being currently
  experienced, there are a number of groups that
  have a greater or lesser degree of experience.
• Noisy modified motor cars
• - Areas of semi-detached/townhouses (35 i.e.
  plus 7 on overall)
• - Outer suburban areas (33 plus 5)
• - Rural or small towns (20 minus 8)
• Noisy motor cycles
• - Over 60 years (17 minus 6)
• - Inner city areas (31 plus 8)
• - Rural or small town (18 minus 5)
• - Areas of semi-detached housing (35 plus
  11)
• Loud amplified music after midnight
• - 60 years plus (12 minus 7)
• - Inner city areas (25 plus 6)
• - Rural or small town (9 Minus 10)
• - Flats, units/apartments (34 plus 15)

54
appropriateness of regulations
Security alarms to have maximum duration for the
alarm noise
Loud amplified music played after midnight to be
banned
Air conditioning /or pump noise to be banned
after 10pm
Offensive noise generated by off road trail bikes
Modified motor cars to have a maximum level of
noise
Motor cycles to have max. level of noise
Noisy Garden powered tools banned after 8pm
Base Total Sample N750
Q20. One way of dealing with this noise is to
regulate against it. For each of the following
can you tell me how appropriate you feel
is the regulation for this type of noise? Single
response
55
appropriateness of regulations continued

• It is evident that all the proposed or current
  legislation put forward has a wide degree of
  acceptance in the community. There are minor
  levels of opposition, however
• - Loud amplified music played after midnight to
  be banned. Not surprisingly, the pockets of
  resistance lay with the young, males (and the
  restless).
• - Air conditioning or pump noise to be banned
  after 10pm. Again males (21), those 4059
  (21), and in suburban areas (20) constitute
  greater than average pockets of resistance.

56
amplified music/power tools okay if occurring
more than
A frequency of between fortnightly and weekly
would seem to be the tolerance point for
amplified music and power tool noise for all. The
major variation from this pattern is for those
living in flats, units and apartments. Here the
tolerance occurrence point is between fortnightly
and monthly
57
overall satisfaction with regulations and how
they work to control and resolve