The draft Regulations are being made to tighten planning controls around noisy activities to lessen the impact of noise on people.
"If noise is taken into account from the beginning of the planning process then noisy activities can be sited
away from homes and sensitive areas because it is often extremely difficult to reduce noise once a development has already been established," Tasneem Essop, Provincial Minister for Environment, Planning and Economic Development said.
It is not so easy to define a noise level that is acceptable to all. The World Health Organisation has however, through many studies, set a guideline limit of 55dBA (decibels) for residential noise which is averaged over 24 hours.
In modern society, there are noisy activities that we are forced to tolerate but there must be limits to noise. Most people accept that we have to put up with a lot of traffic noise if we live or work near a busy road, however most people believe it is reasonable to complain if they live next to a noisy night club.
The Noise Control Regulations deal with two categories of noise. The first category is termed noise nuisance and is generally related to the irregular and unpredictable actions of others which cause noise e.g. a neighbours' backyard workshop, use of a recreational vehicle, barking dogs. The resolution of such problems is primarily through negotiation and only if all else fails, should the matter go the legal route.
The second category is termed disturbing noise and means that the noise must be loud enough and long enough to exceed a specified limit. Disturbing noises are generally related to long term and regular activities such as noise from a nightclub, an industry, an airport or a concert venue. The solution in these cases should be to prevent the noise from impacting on people, particularly in residential areas, through careful planning. For existing problems, walls and Perspex barriers can be effective but are costly.
People are invited to attend one of the workshops listed below if they would like to give input on the draft Regulations or the Department can be contacted on 021- 483 2760 Catherine Bill or Russel Mehl on 021-4832752 for more information.
13 Feb - Industry only. RSVP please. Clara Anafontein, Durbanville
15 Feb - Worcester Town Hall, Hoog Street 5:30pm - 7pm
20 Feb - George - Community Banquet Hall, 71 York St 5:30pm - 7pm
27 Feb - Cape Town Public - Mitchells Plain 5:30pm - 7pm
28 Feb - Cape Town Public - Khayelitsha 5:30pm - 7pm
1 March - Cape Town Public- Goodwood 5:30pm - 7pm
6 March - Hermanus Municipality, The Auditorium, Magnolia Street, 5:30pm - 7pm
8 March - Beaufort West, Rustdene multipurpose centre 5:30pm - 7pm
13 March - Saldanha Bay Recreational Centre, Dial Rock 5:30pm - 7pm
15 March - Cape Town Public - Muizenberg Civic Centre 5:30pm - 7pm
Issued by :
the Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning.
For more information:Catherine Bill on 021 483 276
