Minister seeks ways to curb noise

Press, 11 February 1981, Page 2

Minister seeks ways to curb noise

Power boards should be allowed to “pull the fuse” on excessively amplified music, said the Minister of Health (Mr Gair) yesterday. It would not be unreasonable to give power boards the legal authority and protection to withhold electric power at the request of the territorial local authority, he told the Health Inspectors’ Institute and Royal Society of Health joint annual conference at the University of Canterbury. This should be done in instances where it was clear that power was being misused in a way detrimental io the health and well-being of a ■ neighbourhood, ‘ said Mr Gair. “While I realise excessively amplified noise from electronic, equipment is •not the" sole thausi?''of nuisance, it is a big' one and should be tackled, even if in isolation.

“Pulling the fuse plug on excessively amplified noise would provide immediate abatement of a substantial noise nuisance,” Mr Gair said. He recalled incidents where the authorities had been unable to quieten excessive noise. A group of people , barricaded themselves’ into a Mount Albert house last Labour Day week-end and played excessively amplified music for several days. The police, health, and local government officials subsequently decided that the law was inadequate. In'., the New Year there was.: another episode . in Manurewa, again. involving excessively amplified mijsic. It proved that the law was, in such cases, unable' to be used effectively ,{9, bring about an immeditteTWatement of noise. Mr Gair asked the.Manukau City health inspector if

he had sought the help of the local power board to cut power off to the offending house. “He told me the power board officials said they could not because they would make themselves liable to an action against them for illegal interruption of supply. “That to me is quite unsatisfactory,” said Mr Gair. He has asked Health Department officials to explore the practicability and desirability of cutting off power from premises if an intolerable noise would not be stopped when the council officer made a proper and reasonable request to do so, Mr Gair said that he wanted local authorities to watch closely tire conditions they attached to the granting of permits for, amplified outside entertainment arid to see that the conditions, of such permits were complied with.