Air pollution

Redland City Council investigates environmental nuisance about air pollutants including dirt and dust, spray drift, smoke and fumes.

What is an Environmental Nuisance?

The Environmental Protection Act 1994 states that an: Environmental nuisance is unreasonable interference or likely interference with an environmental value caused by aerosols, fumes, light, noise, odour or particles of smoke.

Advise about air pollutes, how to reduce their impact and how complaints are managed, can be found on this page.

• How council manages air emission complaints
• Complaints not investigated by council
• Making a complaint
• Dirt and dust
• Smoke
• Chemical and paint spray drift

How Council manages air emission complaints

Council investigates most air emissions complaints using the Environmental Protection Act 1994.  However, activities with relevant development approval conditions are investigated using the Planning Act 2016.

When investigating air pollution complaints, Council must consider:

• whether the site has a development approval with a condition specific to emissions
• the amount of air emissions being emitted
• the duration and rate of emission and the characteristics and qualities
• the sensitivity of the environment and the impacts
• the views of any other neighbours or complainants
• any measures that have been taken or could reasonably have been taken by the person causing the emission.

For Council to investigate an air emission complaint, an emissions diary needs to be completed. This should be done for a minimum of two weeks, noting the time and duration of the emissions and how it is impacting you.

If Council officers determine an air emission is unlawful, a notice maybe issued to rectify the nuisance in a reasonable timeframe. If the person does not comply with the notice, an on-the-spot fine may be issued.

Complaints not investigated by Council

Council shares responsibility for air emission complaints with other authorities. Council does not investigate the following:

Complaints

If you are affected by air emissions, talk to the person responsible and try to achieve a solution. Give them time to do something about it.

If you can't reach a solution, you can lodge a complaint with Council. Alternatively, you can contact the Dispute Resolution Centre.

Making a complaint about air pollution

Contact council to lodge a complaint about an air pollution issue managed by Council.

Smoke

Smoke from wood-fired heaters, fire pits and open-air fires can affect neighbours and interfere with their normal activities. If severe enough, it can impact people's health.

How to reduce smoke emissions

You can reduce smoke by:

• composting, recycling or reusing waste where possible
• taking garden waste to a council transfer station
• not burning paints, hazardous chemicals, wet paper or cloth and sanitary napkins, as they release hazardous chemicals - check with Council to see if domestic burning is permitted
• not burning wet or green vegetation which smoulders and causes excessive smoke
• giving fires maximum air-flow so that they release less smoke
• checking weather conditions - avoid burning any materials in windy conditions or where the wind is blowing towards your neighbour.

How to reduce smoke from wood fire heaters

Before you install a wood fire heater consider the impact on your neighbours, the size needed to heat your home and consider heating alternatives (e.g. a gas heater). 

You can reduce smoke and particles from wood heaters.

• Not burning chipboard or painted or treated timber.
• Choosing dry firewood - it should be air dried for at least eight months. Wet or green wood causes more smoke.
• Storing firewood under cover, stacked in a crisscross pattern to allow air to circulate.
• Burning the fire brightly - start with dry kindling and gradually add larger wood pieces. An efficient fire should have red glowing embers and bright swirling flames.
• Keeping air controls open at night - avoid shutting down the air controls (damper) overnight.
• Check your chimney to see if it is smoking too much.
• Cleaning and maintaining your chimney and wood heater regularly, e.g. check the glass door for cracks, seals for deterioration, firebox for rust and lubricate the air-slide control with high-temperature grease.

This information is also available as a:

• Smoke nuisance - open air fires
• Smoke from chimneys
• Guide to operating a wood heater

Dirt and dust

Construction, excavation and landscaping can all cause dust and dirt. Sometimes dust and dirt can affect neighbours and interfere with their normal activities. If severe enough, it can also impact on people's health.

How to reduce dust and dirt

You can reduce dust and dirt emissions by:

• checking weather conditions when planning work
• watering down  or dusty areas
• retaining as many plants and grass as possible
• using on-site waste as a dust barrier (e.g. green waste could be mulched and spread on the ground)
• erecting a dust fence or tree rows
• using hydro mulch for large areas
• using property access points away from neighbours
• limiting vehicle speeds around construction sites
• minimising the size of open and unsealed areas.

This information is also available in our fact sheet Air pollution - dirt and dust

Chemical and paint spray drift

Spray drift from chemicals and paint can affect neighbours and interfere with their normal activities. If severe enough, it can damage property and impact people's health.

How to reduce spray drift

You can reduce chemical and paint spray drift by:

• working indoors, where possible
• checking weather conditions - don't spray on days with strong and gusty winds or where wind is blowing towards your neighbour
• following the manufacturer's guidelines
• using a brush on small jobs
• using accurate equipment that reduces over spray
• considering using a commercial spray booth.

This information is also available in the fact sheet Air pollution - paint and chemical spray drift 

Related links

Air quality - Federal Department of Environment website