Odour

Council's Health Officer's may assist where there is residential odour that impacts your health.

Residential odour affecting health

If you have noticed concerns with odour coming from your neighbours property, Council encourages you to speak to them directly in the first instance. There are instances that council cannot assist, these may include:

• If the odour is a strong chemical odour or fire danger please ring 000.
• If you observe any gas type odours it is recommended that you contact your gas suppliers fault lines.
• Any emissions coming from Public Housing including odour can be referred to the Housing Victoria
• Odours caused by tobacco smoke drift on residential properties are unable to be investigated by Council and should be addressed privately.
• Odours from cooking and fertilizer use in the garden would be considered reasonable in a residential setting.

If there is a reoccurring residential odour that is affecting your health, Council may be able to investigate. To determine whether Council assist you will be asked to complete and submit an Residential odour log(PDF, 261KB) over a 14 day period. The data provided will enable an authorised officer to determine whether the odour is unreasonable or potentially a nuisance that requires further investigation.

How to reduce odour emissions

Observe weather conditions when completing work that may create an odour.

Consider weather conditions before starting work that may create an odour. For example try to avoid windy days in summer odour may affect more people because they are outdoors and windows maybe left open.

Good housekeeping

• Accumulated vegetation or rubbish may rot and create an odour.
• Minimise rubbish by composting and mulching organic waste and garden clippings and by recycling plastic, glass, paper and cans;
• Regular turning and aerating of compost may help to reduce odour;
• Clean wheelie bins regularly;
• Ensure wheelie bins are put out for collection;
• Avoid storing wheelie bins near neighbours bedrooms;
• Place meat and seafood scraps in the freezer and wait until the night before bin collection day to put them in the bin;
• Rinse containers before placing them in the bin to get rid of any remaining residues or substances that may smell.
• Be careful when storing and using chemicals, paints and other products, which may cause strong and offensive odours.
• Where possible, enclose or cover compost bins or vegetation waste.
• Keep the lid to your wheelie bin closed.
• Avoid storing wheelie bins near windows, especially near neighbours bedroom windows.

More information

Customer service
Call: 03 8470 8888
Email: mailbox@darebin.vic.gov.au