Environmental Health Information Sheet: Health Nuisances

Certain circumstances relating to residential, commercial and industrial premises can cause a nuisance to others. A nuisance is deemed to be created when a situation is offensive or likely to be injurious to health. It is important for all individuals and businesses to avoid creating a nuisance for the health and wellbeing of the whole community.

So what is a Nuisance?

Listed in the Health Act 1956 nuisances include (but are not limited to) the following;

• Accumulations or deposits that are offensive or likely to be injurious to health
• Premises that harbour rats or other vermin
• Building’s that are overcrowded
• Factories, workrooms, shops, offices, warehouses, or other places of trade not kept in a clean state, and free from smell or leakage from any drain or sanitary convenience.
• Factories, workrooms, shops, offices, warehouses, or other places of trade that don’t flue any fumes, gases, vapours, dust, or impurities generated therein
• Any chimney smoke that is in such a quantity that it may be offensive or injurious to health
• Any land or premises in any condition that is found to be breeding flies or mosquitoes or is suitable for breeding of other insects which are capable of transmitting disease

What can you do?

If you notice something in your area which you think might be a nuisance, or is causing a nuisance to you, you can call the Council and report it to an Environmental Health Officer on 307 7700. You may be required to fill out a complaint form which you will find a link to at the end of this document.

What will the Council do?

If the Environmental Health Officer finds that a nuisance is being caused as defined by the Health Act 1956 then the following action will be taken:

1) Immediately request that the condition causing the nuisance is ceased or removed
2) A District Court Order may then ensue to require the nuisance to be abated
3) If the person responsible does not comply with this direction the Environmental Health Officer may take all necessary steps to abate the nuisance and may recover costs for the abatement from the owner or occupier of the premises
4) Causing a nuisance is an offence and does carry penalties

Further Information

Other issues within your environment that you are finding a nuisance or concern are the responsibility of the following authorities:

Health Nuisance Complaint Form