» Environmental pollution
» Air pollution
» Noise pollution
» Nuisance lighting
» Nuisance animals
Environmental pollution
Enquiries/complaints relating to air, noise or water pollution, e.g. concrete truck washing out into the street gutter or a miniskip filled with rotting fruit on a hot day can be made to our City Planning Division on 9789 9300.
Air pollution
If you have a complaint regarding backyard burning or general air pollution, please contact our City Planning Division for advice and/or action on 9789 9300. Some sources of air pollution include:
- Smoky cars
- Wood heaters
- Illegal backyard fires
- Chemicals
- Lawn mowers
Noise pollution
If you have attempted to resolve a noise pollution problem with your neighbour without success, you may then want to make a complaint to our City Planning Division on 9789 9300. Some sources of noise pollution include:
- Fans and air conditioners
- House and car alarms
- Automobile noise
- Loud music
The fact sheet 'Dealing with Neighbourhood Noise', 'Managing Vehicle Noise', and 'Managing Noise from Intruder Alarms'ublished by the Department of Environment and Conservation NSW contains good information for those affected by the problem.
Nuisance lighting
Street lighting is important for safety reasons, particularly in urban areas. Excessive lighting from office buildings and street advertising signs are often unnecessary and can occasionally be a nuisance and may reduce the quality of life for some people. It is also a waste of energy resources which results in the unnecessary consumption of fossil fuels and contribute to air pollution.
If you have a complaint regarding flood lighting in local parks which are not switched off or from offensive lighting from commercial property, contact our City Planning Division on 9789 9300. This does not apply to private lighting.
Nuisance animals
Dogs - Attack/Injury
Notify our Rangers as soon as possible. Please give details of the dogs owners, where the attack took place, when, what kind of dog and if injuries were sustained and if possible, where the dog is now.
Dogs that have been declared dangerous must be muzzled and have signage around the owners home.
Dogs - Barking
We will attempt to contact the dog owner and give advice on how to deal with the problem. Under the Companion Animals Act, persistent barking is regarded as similar to straying or other antisocial behaviour. Where a council officer identifies a serious or ongoing problem, a nuisance dog order can be issued. The fact sheet 'Dealing with Barking Dogs' published by the Department of Environment and Conservation NSW contains good information for those affected by the problem of barking dogs.
Dogs - Stray
A "stray" dog is one which is in a place, other than where it is usually kept, unaccompanied by a responsible person. This is defined under the Companion Animals Act 1998. Stray dogs found by our Rangers will be taken to the Fairford Road Animal Hospital - phone 9709 6884.
Dogs - Unrestrained
Dog owners can be given an on-the-spot- fine if their dog is unrestrained in public areas. The Companion Animals Act 1998 allows for a fine of $110 for allowing your dog to be in a public place when not under the control of a dog leash. If you have a complaint regarding unrestrained dogs in local parks which are not allocated as designated off-leash areas, contact our City Planning Division on 9789 9300.
Cats - Nuisance
We have a number of cat traps that can be supplied to residents free of charge. If you know the owner of the cat, you are required to return the cat to its owner or have one of our Officers pick it up.
For more information on pets and animals in the City of Canterbury, see our 'Pets and Animals' pages.
