Neighbourhood noise survey - background
This is an extract of a report from a community noise survey done for DEC in 2004 with the aim of informing the organisation's review of noise regulations, which is conducted every five years.
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 this organisation 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
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:
- Identify the nature and extent of neighbourhood noise impacts being experienced by the NSW community.
- Identify community awareness of, and attitudes to neighbourhood noise problems.
- 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.
- Gauge the level of public awareness and understanding of current legislation and enforcement options, including what works, what doesn't and what's missing, and to explore aspects of current knowledge, attitudes and behaviours regarding noise.
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 |
Who did we speak to?
The study reached a wide cross section of the NSW community:
Living in different residential circumstances
- separate housing (N=544)
- semi-detached, row or terrace, townhouse (N=75) and
- in flats units or apartments (N=121)
- owners (N=341)
- non owners (N=288) and
- renters (N=101)
Age groups
- under 39 (N=295)
- 40-59 (N=298) and
- 60plus (N=157)
Page last updated: 09 June 2011
