Noise control is everyone's responsibility

The festive season and long summer months are traditionally a busy time for Council staff who deal with noise control issues, but there are plenty of ways in which everyone can help make their festive season quieter!

Council has a statutory responsibility to enforce noise legislation in order to minimise public nuisance. Everyone has the right to use their property for enjoyment and noise is a fact of everyday life. However, when noise becomes a nuisance, upsets neighbours or causes distress, Council has staff that are trained and experienced in dealing with these issues.

Noise can arise from a variety of domestic sources including loud music, barking dogs, DIY and building work, car alarms, car stereos and revving cars in the street. Noise can also arise from outdoor events, factories, pubs or clubs or noisy equipment such as ventilation units. Many of these noises may be a temporary nuisance, and as long as they do not persist, or take place during unreasonable hours, they are unlikely to be reason for complaint.

In many cases, the person making the noise may not be aware that they are causing a problem and they are more than happy to be told in a polite and friendly way. However, if you do not feel comfortable in approaching someone or have tried to deal with a problem noise issue and it has not been resolved then you should contact the Council.

What is excessive noise?
The Resource Management Act 1991, Section 326, which covers noise pollution issues, defines excessive noise as "any noise that is under human control and of such a nature as to unreasonably interfere with the peace, comfort and convenience of any person".

Excessive noise is subjective by nature and it is up to Council officers investigating a noise complaint to assess whether the noise is excessive. Decibel readings may be taken but this is not always an accurate indication of the noise level.

What happens if a complaint is received?
Council officers are required to investigate any excessive noise complaints received. If they are of the opinion that the noise is excessive they may direct the person who is making the noise to reduce the noise to a reasonable level.

A direction may be given in writing or verbally and the direction is in force for 72 hours. If the noise continues or occurs again during the 72 hours for which the direction is in force, the officer (accompanied by a Police Officer) may take other action such as issuing a $500 infringement or enter the property and seize the instrument or appliance which the noise is coming from.

What can I do to help?
Be aware of the kinds of noise that you and your family are making and think about the possible impact on neighbours.

Let neighbours know if you are planning a major DIY project or having a party so that they are aware of when noise is likely to happen and how long it is likely to last.

Sound travels so be considerate if you are playing music inside the house with the windows open. Not everyone wants to listen to what you are listening to.

Noise from cars, including revving engines and car stereos, are often the subject of complaints. Be aware that this kind of noise can also be the subject of an excessive noise direction and a stationary vehicle, if creating a noise nuisance, can be seized.

For further information contact Wanganui District Council on 349 0001 or click here.  Noise complaints can be made 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 349 0001.

Picnic in the Park
Saturday, December 3

Join the Wanganui District Council Youth Committee for a fantastic free, fun, family event at the Picnic in the Park on Saturday, December 3, at Kowhai Park.

The fun runs from 11.00am until 2.00pm with something for everyone to enjoy. Bring your picnic, your family and your friends and enjoy music, entertainment, face-painting, bouncy castle, sausage sizzle and more.

"Picnic in the Park is a major event which the Youth Committee organises for young people and their families," says Cr Jack Bullock, Chair of the Youth Committee.

"Our Youth Councillors put in a lot of hard work to make the event a success and this year it's going to be bigger than ever. Kowhai Park is a great place to hold the event.  It's a really fun way to start the busy festive season and give families time to relax and enjoy some time together."

The event is free but gold coin donations are welcome. Funds raised will be given to 'For our Kids', an initiative of the Community Taskforce for Youth Wellbeing, which encourages volunteers to help and support young people in the community in a variety of ways.

Annual General Meeting
Members of the Sarjeant Gallery

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) is to be held at the Sarjeant Gallery at 7.30pm on Tuesday, 6 December 2011.

The Members are a support group to the Gallery. They provide volunteer support to openings, functions and other Gallery operations; have assisted with the upgrade of Tylee Cottage, the home of the Artist in Residence scheme; provide an award at the Whanganui Arts Review and, in the case of Patron Members, donate to the permanent collection. 

This year consideration is being given to assisting with funding for conservation work on selected items from the Gallery's permanent collection.

At the AGM the Annual Report and Accounts will be presented and Executive members elected.  In addition there will be a presentation by Greg Anderson, Senior Curator at the Sarjeant Gallery and Pete Gray, Deputy Community and Culture Manager on the proposed extension to the Sarjeant Gallery. 

Members and visitors are welcome.

Cooks Gardens will be closed to the public for a private event from 6.00am on Saturday, 3 December 2011, and will reopen at 6.00am on Sunday, 4 December.

If you have any queries contact the Wanganui Events Trust, Cooks Gardens Office, phone 349 1815 or email cooks@eventswanganui.com.

Use of sprinklers

Consumers are advised that automatic garden sprinklers can be used by all residents (irrespective of whether their house number is an odd or even number) between the following times:

7pm to 9pm     During the hours of daylight saving
6pm to 8pm     Outside the hours of daylight saving

Hand-held hoses can be used at any time.

The Wanganui District Council has the following vacancies:

Governance Office Assistant
Part-time (20 hours per week)

Records Office Assistant
Part-time (20 hours per week)

Applications for both roles close on Friday, 3 December 2011.

Click here for details

We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings.
           
Community and Environment – December 1 (2.00pm, Council Chamber)

• Whanganui Regional Museum Report; Safety of the Sky Show at Cooks Gardens, Wanganui, 5 November 2011; Community and Cultural Portfolio Activity Report ; Community Meetings – Castlecliff and Wanganui East; Library Collection Development Review; Gonville Café Library: two years on; Rose House Project – A Community Partnership Opportunity; Sister Cities Report – November 2011; Draft Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) Policy; Petition – Liquor Outlets; Customer Services Group Activity; Annual Plan Submissions 2011.               

Wanganui District Councils’ Forestry Joint – December 5 (2.00pm, Committee Room 2)

• Emissions Trading Scheme – Market for Units; Annual Report 2010/11; Statement of Intent; General Business.

Strategy and Finance – December 6 (2.00pm, Council Chamber)

• Finance and Corporate Activity Report; Financial Results 2010/2011 and Carry Overs to 2011/12 Financial Year; Liability Management Policy; Quarterly Financial Report to 30 September 2011; Cemeteries Charging, Debtors and Debt Recovery Process; Schedule of Documents Sealed; Financial Commitments; Progress Report on Tram Project Stage One; New Subdivision Road Name; Policy and Planning Activity Report; Annual Report – Non-Financial Performance; Wanganui District Plan Review; Risk Management Policy and Process; Draft Economic Development Strategy. Confidential: Wanganui Gas Ltd’s Report – 21 November 2011; Port Update;  Investment and Non Core Property; 79 to 97 Victoria Avenue; Debtor Write-offs

Hearings and Regulatory – December 8 (9.00am-5.00pm, Council Chamber)

• Objections to Dog Classifications.

Council – December 19 (2.00pm, Council Chamber)

• The Council will consider the reports from Committee meetings held in November and December 2011 along with reports direct to Council.

Agendas are available at the Customer Services Counter, Municipal Office Building, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui and the Wanganui District Library two working days prior to the meeting.