Off-road dirt bike riders in New South Wales are being warned that loud riding could be classed as offensive noise under new rules. Upper Hunter MP Dave Layzell said the bikes can be heard inside neighbours' homes, which could trigger a complaint. Under the changes, the owner or occupier of the property where a bike is ridden could be responsible for controlling the noise. Agricultural vehicles, and motor vehicles and bikes entering and leaving a property, are exempt. The changes form part of wider reforms to state noise regulations now in effect.
A house at 53 Harrison Rd in Devon Park, Adelaide, has sold at auction to the neighbours of a 92-year-old woman who lived there her whole life. The 1925-built home sold for $1.361 million under the hammer. Selling agent John Eglezos of Ray White Prospect said it was the first time the property had ever sold, and that its owner's father built it. Fourteen buyers registered to bid, and the sale came down to two locals. The neighbours plan a longer-term development of the site.
Nate Taylor, a part-time DJ and stay-at-home dad from Traverse City, Michigan, began building a Halloween display in 2017 using decorations he obtained for free. The display has grown each year, drawing visitors including families of patients from a nearby hospital and special needs groups, and it is run without charging admission. Taylor funds the build through a donation box and online donations, and he says these are not ticket sales. A neighbour complained to the city, which then sent him a letter outlining home operation rules, including a limit of eight parked cars at a time.
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A retiree named Kev has drawn attention online after his wife, content creator Jenelle, shared a TikTok video about his plan to interview people bidding at a neighbouring house auction. Kev is not interested in buying the property. He wants to ask buyers about children, dogs, work and whether they have a trailer he can borrow. Jenelle said she had told him to stay inside on auction day. Many viewers supported the idea, while others said it would put them off buying the home.
Neighbours in Bayside, New York, say they banded together to have alleged squatters removed from an empty home. Vernon Glass and Lusascha Taylor have been indicted on burglary, grand larceny and criminal trespass charges, and both have pleaded not guilty. The home had sat unoccupied after its owner died in 2018, and authorities believe the pair moved in after hospital and funeral home notices did not reach the county public administrator. Neighbours signed a petition and contacted local media, and a Queens District Attorney says the defendants have been removed and the home secured.
A Queensland building inspector has sparked debate after filming a new home built barely a fence's width from its neighbour. Anthony Baldwin shared the video to TikTok, mocking the cramped gap and the reality facing buyers in many new developments. A Sunshine Coast couple, Jake Philpott and Kaylie Stott, have also complained about a neighbouring build in Palmview that nearly touches their home. Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show new house blocks shrank 13 per cent over the past decade, while floor areas barely changed.
Yarrabilba residents are invited to meet their neighbours over coffee at Shaw Street Oval Park on Saturday 31 October. The Coffee in the Park event runs from 8.30am to 10.30am as part of the community's park gatherings. The first 200 coffees are free, with one available per person while supplies last. Organisers say the morning gives residents a chance to connect with others in their neighbourhood. Dates and locations may change, so updates will be shared through Stockland Yarrabilba.
A reader named Norrie D. says neighbours keep taking their freshly cleaned bins on collection day and leaving smelly ones behind at a shared central spot. Columnist Jasminda suggests collecting the bins first or placing a light-hearted message on the lids. She also points to a food and garden organics mandate being introduced across NSW by 2030, aimed at reducing harmful waste habits. Jasminda proposes a friendlier option of leaving a cleanser bottle on each empty bin.
A New South Wales homeowner posted photos online after half of his front lawn disappeared, and asked locals to help identify two men he believed took it. Commenters soon suggested the grass was removed by construction workers next door. They said the strip sat on council-owned land, not on his property, and that it would be replaced once building work finishes. Some people said they would still be upset to see their lawn torn up.
Under new NSW Government rules now in force, residents will no longer be told when a neighbour lodges plans for a home extension, swimming pool or demolition. Every council in the state, including Mosman, North Sydney and Willoughby, must follow a Community Participation Plan. The plan removes some development applications from public exhibition altogether.
Under new NSW Government rules now in force, residents will no longer be told when a neighbour lodges plans for a home extension, swimming pool or demolition. Every council in the state, including Mosman, North Sydney and Willoughby, must follow a Community Participation Plan. The plan removes some development applications from public exhibition altogether.
Sonia Kruger and partner Craig McPherson have submitted amended development plans to Mosman Council for their $16 million Sydney home overhaul. The couple's earlier plans were refused by the Mosman Local Planning Panel in July on five grounds. The revised design lowers the building height to 9.1 metres, which still exceeds the council's 8.5 metre standard. Neighbours remain opposed over privacy and blocked views, and public submissions are open until October 21.
