News

Council needs to match Government action on noisy vehicles

27.02.2006

Christchurch Central MP Tim Barnett is calling on the City Council to match the commitment shown by the Government to end the noisy vehicle problem.

Tim Barnett. Christchurch Central MP, is calling on the City Council to match the commitment shown by the Government to end the noisy vehicle problem.

Over the past year the Government has made fast progress in ending the nuisance through:

(in February 2005) widening Road User Rules to include noise from stereos and “boom boxes”, making it easier for the Police to issue instant infringement offence notices. Christchurch Police have responded enthusiastically to this;
(in August 2005) announcing, in Christchurch, its intention to introduce an objective noise test;
(in January 2006) increasing the infringement fee from $150 to $250 and also introduced a 10 demerit point penalty if someone drives a vehicle in a noisy manner;
(on February 10th 2006) announcing details of the objective noise test. Testing equipment is being ordered and the test will be introduced over the next two to three months

These changes will be cemented by Government legislation later this year.

Tim Barnett said today:

“I have always been ready to sponsor a Members Bill on this issue, but Government action is clearly preferable. Now real progress is being made, driven by the concerns expressed by Christchurch Labour MPs and the great work of the Christchurch-based Noise Off Trust. The Christchurch Police have used their new powers to great effect. The objective noise test and permanent law change will give us a control system very similar to other countries.

“But if this is to work well, local action is crucial. I am horrified by the stories of tourists leaving the city after suffering sleepless nights through traffic noise. I fine it unbelievable that for over two years the City Council have been debating the introduction of a by-law to close the Square – around which over 2000 plus tourists are sleeping at this time of year - to through-traffic at peak traffic noise periods. Still they have not agreed to it. This change is a no-brainer. The law allows councils to act fast on these matters – but they need to be consistent and committed to ending the problem. I call on them to do the decent thing and finally end those two years of debate with some real action to match the determination of Government”.

Tim Barnett is available on 0274 570 809

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