Shouting, singing, and noisy pets out in Timaru

Press, 19 October 1976, Page 1

Shouting, singing, and noisy pets out in Timaru

Staff reporter Timaru Shouting, singing, noisy pets, and sports crowds will all come under a new Timaru city by-law which will come into force on December 20.

Although the city “hasn’t got too much of a noise problem yet,” its Mayor (Mr C. R. Hervey) said that the new by-law adopted by the council last evening would enable the city “to be ready for the problem when it comes.”

Under the by-law controls are toughest between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. Activities considered loud and disturbing include the use of car horns except as a danger signal, playing any device or instrument whether powered or amplified or not; and the use of hand tools and power-driven equipment. The resolution will be confirmed at a special order of the council on November 22.

In the words of the bylaw, activities that may be considered loud and disturbing are, “The sounding of any horn or signal device on any motorvehicle except as a danger sigpal; using a motorvehicle in a manner which causes excessive noise; the use or playing of any device or instrument ■whether powered or amplified or not; the use of any motor vehicle, or of any power-driven mower, chain saw, or other power-run equipment that is in such a condition or is so designed that having regard to the time of its use causes loud and disturbing noise; the use of hand tools and of power driven equipment in panel beating, boat building, carpentry and engineering and constructional work in such circumstances, and the keeping of

any anima! or bird which by frequent or long continued noise shall disturb the comfort ... of persons.” There are' restrictions on the creating of noise in any public place or building or in or about any privately owned building, or. in assembly rooms, theatres, music halls, dance halls, racecourse, sports grounds or show grounds. Limitations are placed on contractors carrying out demolitions. All practicable means are to be used to minimise noise, vibration, dust or the emission of fumes. Mr Hervey said that the by-law was similar to others introduced by local bodies elsewhere in New

Zealand, such as Hamilton. "Whether the by-law is effective is like a pudding —the proof will be in the eating,” he said when asked about possible difficulties in policing the proposed.

Mr Hervey said that the council probably would not need more inspectors to police the by-law. Mr Hervey said that it would be policed just like any other by-law and penalties for offences against the by-law would be decided by the courts. Technical officers had been called in by the council to advise on the drafting of the by-law. “It won’t mean everyone has to be as quiet as a mouse,” said Mr Hervey.

“But noise is a recognisable pollutant and as such it needs to be controlled in the public interest.” “If the public puts out a cry for help it is our job to do something about it.” The council had used the powers vested in it by the Municipal Corporations Act to legislate against excessive noise, because it was in the public interest to do so. Mr Hervey said he expected most prosecutions to arise out of public complaints, and there would have to be sufficient complaints to warrant a prosecution. “The innocent have nothing to fear,” said Mr Hervey. “We just want Timaru to be peaceful.”