Just imagine the sweet serenity of your outdoor haven in New South Wales (NSW). However, that tranquil atmosphere can sometimes be ruined by the constant hum of your neighbor's pool pump.
With more pools being installed in recent years and especially since the onset of Covid and reduced land sizes, these pool pumps often find themselves wedged between shared boundaries and the neighbor's home.
The result? A disturbing mixture of noise that echoes and amplifies, testing your calmness to another level.
However, you shouldn’t have to worry. We're here to help you restore harmony in your outdoor paradise.
Neighborly Talk: Before beginning to bring up your concern, consider starting with a friendly conversation. Approach your neighbors and kindly express your concerns about the pool pump noise. They may not even be aware of the disturbance it's causing, or perhaps the pump is in need of maintenance. A little chat can go a long way in finding a solution.
Check the Regulations: If your neighbors are less approachable, it might be time to check the rulebook. In NSW (as well as most other states), new pool installations or builds come with specific requirements regarding soundproof enclosures. You can find these regulations in the NSW State Environment Planning Policy (SEPP). If your neighbor's pool pump is newly-installed, it should conform to these requirements. If not, you can reach out to the Principal Certifying Authority (PCA) for the prescribed swimming pool build.
Written Appeal: Still no luck? Consider a more formal approach. Pen a letter detailing your concerns, the times of day the noise disrupts your peace, and how it affects you and your family. Offer solutions, such as soundproof pool pump enclosures or acoustic lining, should they have an enclosure. Slip the letter into their mailbox; it might just strike the right chord.
Try Discussing the issue with an independent mediator: When all else fails, then it might be time to bring in an independent mediator. Community Justice Centers (CJCs) offer independent mediation services to resolve disputes. This process won’t cost you a dime and has a high success rate. Both parties must be willing to participate for this to work, but it's surely a peaceful way to find common ground.
If the above steps are not working, you can report your complaint to your local council who will investigate and could possibly discuss the issue with your neighbour.
Failing all of the above you can always go down the legal route, but be prepared this could very well cause increased conflict…
Obtaining a Noise Abatement Order
When diplomacy has hit a wall, you can consider seeking a Noise Abatement Order under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997. To do this, you need to gather evidence of the noise, including statements from witnesses who can confirm its recurrence. You'll need to lodge an application notice and pay a fee of $83.
The court will guide you on the next steps, which may involve attempting mediation before legal proceedings.
Contact details for your local court are on the Lawlink website
When you have gathered all the evidence and details that the court requires, lodge an application notice with the application fee of $83 (increased in line with the annual consumer price index). The court will advise how the application notice should be lodged. As an individual you will need the court registrar's approval to register the application notice and begin the legal process. The court may require you to consider, as an initial step, seeking mediation at a Community Justice Centre and would only proceed if mediation failed.
Get Your Soundproof Pool Pump Cover and Council Regulatory Compliant Pool Enclosures from Sound Bunker
While legal action is a last resort, it's never a bad idea to know your options.
In the meantime, don't forget to explore Sound Bunker’s pool pump covers. They're designed to minimize noise, withstand Australia’s harshest climate conditions, and bring peace back to your backyard.
Visit our website to discover more, and we'll ship your solution right to your door.
