Factory told to reduce noice

Press, 20 December 1978, Page 2

Factory told to reduce noice

The Canterbury bentonite, i factory at Coalgate will be!; issued with notice by Mal-j( vern County to reduce its! noise levels or face legal ac-jl tion. !; A special meeting of the i council yesterday recom-l mended the action after’ almost three hours of de-j bate. Health Department measurements and a report by! Davie. Lovell-Smith, and. Partners confirmed that; noise generated by the, plant's crushing machinery; was producing noise above! the acceptable levels; and)

■ two nearby residents have already complained to the ! council. Complicating the matter, ‘however, is the fact that in 'addition to processing bentonite. a clay material used as "mud” for oil-well drill- ' ing, the firm is also crushing limestone for the rubber industry. I It is thought that the lat- ; ter process is causing most lof the noise. I The resolution passed by : the council calls for a reduc- ! tion in the noise level from ; the factory during the day! and an even further reduc-! I tion at nights, Saturday! jafternoons, and Sundays and; (public holidays. The company will have! three months to comply! with the notice. The limestone-crushing (work will be dealt with separately by the council at a later date. Noise levels will be monitored at frequent intervals to make certain of comIpliance.