Offensive Odours
If you experience odours that are offensive or impacting your health from a nearby property or business, and it continues for some time, you may wish to firstly speak to your neighbour, as they may not be aware.
Offensive odours may include:
- Abandoned waste materials garbage. Find out more about illegally dumped litter.
- Lack of cleanliness with animal excrement
- Stagnant water or wastewater etc
- Chemical/toxic odours
- Commercial business odours
- Clandestine Labs (illegal drug manufacture)
On this page
Chemical/toxic fumes
If you experience exposure to external chemical or toxic odours, stay inside and close windows and doors and contact Fire Rescue Victoria. Call triple zero (000) if it is an emergency.
Fire Rescue Victoria | 131 444
Report online
Clandestine Lab (illegal drug manufacturing)
If you believe offensive odours are caused by illegal drug manufacturing, report this matter to Victoria Police.
Victoria Police |131 444
Report online
Commercial business
If offensive odours are being caused by a commercial business, Council’s Planning Department can investigate if the business requires a Planning permit. Where a Planning Permit is not required, these matters can be addressed by Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) (larger commercial premises) or Council.
Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) | 1300 372 842
Report online
For more information about managing commercial odours visit: Control odour from your business | epa.vic.gov.au
Relevant webpages
Further information
To make a report to Council about a public health concern: contact Council
An Environmental Health Officer (EHO) may contact you to discuss the concerns and may request further information from you about the odour, including a record/log of dates and times of when you are experiencing the odour. A log sheet for you to use to record the odour you may be experiencing is provided below.
Smoke/Odour log(DOCX, 840KB)