Aussie man stands in a hot spot worth $10,000: ‘What do you want me to do?’
- Replies 5
The humble air conditioner is a household staple in The Land Down Under, where the summer sun can be relentless, and the winter chill cuts through the air.
It's our trusty ally against the elements, providing much-needed relief when the mercury soars or plummets.
For one Aussie bloke, this simple act of seeking comfort within his home has become a potential financial nightmare.
Artarmon resident George was left steaming when he received a stern warning from Willoughby City Council.
According to the council, his air conditioner's nighttime buzzing was a breach of noise regulations.
With the header 'Warning letter: Noise disturbance', the letter informed George that operating his heating or cooling system after 10 pm and before 7 am on weekdays was a no-go.
Weekends and public holidays offered a slight reprieve, with the curfew starting at 10 pm and ending at 8 am.
However, the real shocker was the jaw-dropping $10,000 fine that could be imposed for non-compliance.
It may be a bit steep to use an air conditioner alone; however, under the Protection of the Environment Operations (Noise Control) Regulation 2017, creating a noise disturbance with an air conditioner is indeed an offence.
'The person causes or permits an air conditioner to be used on residential premises in such a manner that it emits noise that can be heard within any room in any other residential premises,' the law stated.
The rule applies regardless of whether the doors or windows of the affected room are open or closed.
The maximum penalty for flouting the law is a staggering $11,000, which can make anyone sweat profusely.
Wakehurst Independent MP Michael Regan, who also served as the mayor of the Northern Beaches, is no stranger to the chorus of complaints about noisy air conditioners.
His office would field several grievances daily, with residents vexed when the units were installed close to bedroom windows.
Whether a high-end model was causing a stir or a budget-friendly, window-mounted unit, these air conditioning units have been called out for their noisy performances.
On average, air conditioning units hum at 35 decibels, with the recommended cap at 40 decibels, which is the level of typical background noise.
However, when these machines start belting out their cooling tunes louder than that, they can disrupt the neighbourhood's peace.
There's a silver lining for those planning to install an air conditioner.
Residents don't need building or planning approval if their installation complies with the development regulations outlined in the State Environmental Planning Policy 2008.
Residents must remember that even with the right paperwork, they must consider the impact on their neighbours and ensure their unit doesn't become a nuisance.
The Willoughby City Council has yet to comment on individual cases. Still, the message is clear: be mindful of your air conditioner's volume or risk a hefty fine that can make you sweat bullets.
Have you ever had a run-in with your neighbours over something seemingly innocuous like air conditioner noise? Share your stories with us in the comments below.
It's our trusty ally against the elements, providing much-needed relief when the mercury soars or plummets.
For one Aussie bloke, this simple act of seeking comfort within his home has become a potential financial nightmare.
Artarmon resident George was left steaming when he received a stern warning from Willoughby City Council.
According to the council, his air conditioner's nighttime buzzing was a breach of noise regulations.
With the header 'Warning letter: Noise disturbance', the letter informed George that operating his heating or cooling system after 10 pm and before 7 am on weekdays was a no-go.
Weekends and public holidays offered a slight reprieve, with the curfew starting at 10 pm and ending at 8 am.
Air conditioning units must operate at a silent or ambient level to avoid any complaints or hefty fines. Image Credit: Pexels/Alpha Innotec
However, the real shocker was the jaw-dropping $10,000 fine that could be imposed for non-compliance.
It may be a bit steep to use an air conditioner alone; however, under the Protection of the Environment Operations (Noise Control) Regulation 2017, creating a noise disturbance with an air conditioner is indeed an offence.
'The person causes or permits an air conditioner to be used on residential premises in such a manner that it emits noise that can be heard within any room in any other residential premises,' the law stated.
The rule applies regardless of whether the doors or windows of the affected room are open or closed.
The maximum penalty for flouting the law is a staggering $11,000, which can make anyone sweat profusely.
Wakehurst Independent MP Michael Regan, who also served as the mayor of the Northern Beaches, is no stranger to the chorus of complaints about noisy air conditioners.
His office would field several grievances daily, with residents vexed when the units were installed close to bedroom windows.
Whether a high-end model was causing a stir or a budget-friendly, window-mounted unit, these air conditioning units have been called out for their noisy performances.
On average, air conditioning units hum at 35 decibels, with the recommended cap at 40 decibels, which is the level of typical background noise.
However, when these machines start belting out their cooling tunes louder than that, they can disrupt the neighbourhood's peace.
There's a silver lining for those planning to install an air conditioner.
Residents don't need building or planning approval if their installation complies with the development regulations outlined in the State Environmental Planning Policy 2008.
Residents must remember that even with the right paperwork, they must consider the impact on their neighbours and ensure their unit doesn't become a nuisance.
The Willoughby City Council has yet to comment on individual cases. Still, the message is clear: be mindful of your air conditioner's volume or risk a hefty fine that can make you sweat bullets.
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