Serious noise offenders getting the message

The number of persistent noise nuisance offenders in the city is down significantly, due to initiatives by Auckland City Council’s noise control service.

The number of offenders creating on-going persistent noise nuisance has dropped after the introduction of a new system which promotes a tougher stance against ongoing repeat offenders. It has also led to almost 40 percent fewer complaints to the council.

The improvements are the result of a decision made by the City Development Committee in March 2009 to introduce a range of initiatives designed to increase the effectiveness of the council’s noise control service.

“We are very pleased with the progress that has been made over a relatively short period of time,” says Councillor Aaron Bhatnagar, Chairperson of the City Development Committee.

The timeliness of responses to calls about noise nuisance is also now improving, with 85% of all calls responded to within 30 minutes over the past three weeks.

Councillor Bhatnagar continues, “It is great to see that noise control officers have now exceeded the targets for responding to complaints as well as meeting the objective of working with the public in a more detailed and community-focused manner.”

Other notable improvements to the noise control service include the introduction of face-to-face meetings with repeat offenders, and twice the number of noise control officers assigned over the busy summer months.

“This new system is about working with the public to reduce repeat offending, taking a tougher stance against problem offenders and resolving community issues in a logical and more customer friendly way,” says Councillor Bhatnagar.

Council noise control officers have also adopted a policy to speak with the occupiers of premises where noise is not considered excessive to advise that there have been complaints and to ask that noise be reduced as a gesture to the community.

Further improvements to the service are planned in the months to come.