Making a Complaint About a Smoky Woodheater

Many Tasmanian households use woodheaters and open fireplaces for home heating. As a consequence in some of our towns and cities, levels of winter air pollution are unacceptably high. Many people don't realise that smoke from their woodheaters and fireplaces can present a real hazard to their neighbours, causing physical discomfort for those with respiratory problems, especially older people and young children.

Steps to take to resolve issues of excessive woodsmoke from a neighbouring house

Step One

Often your neighbours will not realise their fire is affecting you. It is best to discuss the problem with them and try to find a solution. Our Improving Woodheater Use web page provides some practical information about reducing wood smoke.

Step Two

If you cannot reach an agreement after talking to your neighbour, you can contact an environmental health officer at your local council (external link) for advice.

Wood smoke can easily become an environmental nuisance. An environmental nuisance is any emission of a pollutant that may unreasonably interfere with a person's enjoyment of the environment.

You local council can issue an Environmental Infringement Notice if the situation is bad enough.

An infringement notice is an on-the-spot fine of $200. Fines may be greater for more serious or wilful breaches of environmental nuisance provisions. Your local council can also issue an Environment Protection Notice requiring your neighbour to undertake some works to fix the problem.

Further Information

For further information, please contact:

Air Specialist

134 Macquarie Street
GPO Box 1751
Hobart TAS 7001

Phone: 03 6233 3373
Fax: 03 6233 3800

Email: EnvironmentEnquiries@environment.tas.gov.au

See also