Guidance on noise from industrial and commercial premises – including industries, shops, offices and other businesses – varies between metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria. There is more information in our fact sheet How to reduce noise from your business (publication 1481).

Melbourne metropolitan area (SEPP N-1)

In the Melbourne metropolitan area, the State Environment Protection Policy (Control of Noise from Commerce, Industry and Trade) No. N-1 sets limits for noise from industry:

• View SEPP N-1 overview map (PDF 395KB) of the SEPP N-1 area showing the SEPP N-1 boundary and the urban growth boundary (UGB). Other file formats are available.
• View detailed map of SEPP N-1 area to the north east (PDF 1.25MB).
• View detailed map of SEPP N-1 area to the north west (PDF 964KB).
• View detailed map of SEPP N-1 area to the south east (PDF 1.67MB).
• View detailed map of SEPP N-1 area to the south west (PDF 1.14MB).

In current versions of the Adobe Acrobat reader, the SEPP N-1 boundary and the urban growth boundary can be displayed or switched off using the layers tool to the left side of the map.

Calculating zoning levels

The SEPP N-1 method for setting noise limits is based on:

• the land use planning zones, referred to as a ‘zoning level’
• the existing background sound level measured in the absence of industry noise.

Contact EPA if you need help calculating the zoning levels when using SEPP N-1 or NIRV for major urban areas.

The industry or regulator will need to measure the background sound levels to obtain the noise limits that apply.

Regional Victoria (NIRV)

Noise from industry in regional Victoria (NIRV) (publication 1411) has two approaches for setting levels for industry noise emissions. The method to use depends on whether you are located in:

• major urban areas (large regional towns, cities and the outskirts of Melbourne)
• rural areas.

In major urban areas, NIRV adopts the method of SEPP N-1 for setting recommended noise levels from industry. In rural areas the NIRV method applies.

Areas of Melbourne between the SEPP N-1 boundary and the urban growth boundary are major urban areas. See the maps of SEPP N-1 area above.

Regional cities and towns are also major urban areas. The town names with the population references at the time of publication of NIRV are listed in the table below. Click the name to view the boundary of the major urban area for that town.

For further guidance on SEPP N-1 and NIRV, see the following publications:

• SEPP N-1 and NIRV explanatory notes (publication 1412)
• Applying NIRV to proposed and existing industry (publication 1413)