As the warmer months take hold across Australia, lawns everywhere seem to demand constant attention.
For many, the weekend offers a golden opportunity to tackle the ever-growing grass, with an early morning session may seem like the perfect solution to beat the heat.
That said, your neighbours might not share your enthusiasm for the hum of a lawnmower at dawn. This raises the big question: how early is too early to start trimming the turf?
When can you crank the mower?
When it comes to setting the mower in motion, the answer depends largely on where you live, as noise regulations differ by state and territory. While weekday guidelines are more lenient, weekends and public holidays come with tighter restrictions to ensure everyone gets a chance to sleep in.
Here’s a breakdown:
Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
- Monday to Saturday: 7am to 8pm
- Sunday and Public Holidays: 8am to 8pm
New South Wales (NSW)
According to the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA):
- Monday to Friday: 7am to 8pm
- Saturday, Sunday, and Public Holidays: 8am to 8pm
Northern Territory (NT)
- Monday to Saturday: 7am to 8pm
- Sunday and Public Holidays: 8am to 8pm
Queensland (QLD)
If local councils don’t enforce their own rules, these are the default standards:
- Monday to Saturday: 7am to 7pm
- Sunday and Public Holidays: 8am to 6:30pm
South Australia (SA)
- Monday to Saturday: 8am to 8pm
- Sunday: 9am to 8pm
Tasmania
- Monday to Friday: 7am to 8pm
- Saturday: 9am to 8pm
- Sunday and Public Holidays: 10am to 8pm
Victoria
- Monday to Friday: 7am to 8pm
- Saturday, Sunday, and Public Holidays: 9am to 8pm
Western Australia (WA)
- Monday to Saturday: 7am to 7pm
- Sunday and Public Holidays: 9am to 7pm
Does this apply to all garden tools?
Yes, in most cases, these regulations extend beyond lawnmowers to include other powered garden tools. Noise limits generally cover devices like:
- Leaf blowers
- Chainsaws
- Lawn trimmers
- Mulchers
- Generators
- Power tools
Each state provides specific examples of restricted equipment.
- ACT: Includes “garden equipment” broadly.
- NSW: Covers everything from blower sweepers to circular saws and pneumatic tools.
- QLD and NT: Encompass power tools, compressors, and electric gardening equipment.
- TAS: Enforces stricter chainsaw usage rules, allowing them to be operated only once a week for domestic garden maintenance.
- WA: Restricts “specified equipment” requiring an operator’s presence, like whipper snippers and even basketballs.
How loud Is a lawn mower?
Lawnmowers typically emit about 70 decibels (dB(A)) — a level considered moderate but noticeable. To put this into perspective:
- Angle grinder: 100 dB(A)
- Food blender: 90 dB(A)
- Vacuum cleaner: 60 dB(A)
If you’re still unsure if the morning leaf blower is breaking the neighbourhood noise rules, homeowners can use smartphone apps like Decibel X or Sound Meter to measure the loudness of your favourite gardening tools.
A balancing act
An early start might seem like the key to enjoying a productive weekend, but it’s crucial to respect noise regulations and your neighbours’ right to a quiet morning.
By following local rules and keeping consideration at the forefront, you can maintain a harmonious community — and a perfectly manicured lawn.
