Friday Rant – Farging Stadium Noise

On Thursday evening we observed the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium setting up a huge tent in front of the western facing area away from the sea called the ‘World of Windows’.

Immediately the Longhair went into panic mode and began fretting about the oncoming noise onslaught and, despite my attempts to calm her down, she was right.

Apparently the stadium had been commandeered by around 850 persons attending the (hopefully) final night of festivities by municipal engineers from across the country who were attending the Institute of Municipal Engineers of Southern Africa (Imesa) conference taking place from 23 to 25 October. Not content with gratefully accepting ratepayer money to guzzle and drink with abandon these miscreants proceeded to further kick sand in the face of law abiding citizens by elevating the music WAY above the guidelines as laid down by the Municipal By-Law.

The Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality Noise Control By-Law on noise, has two pertinent sections:

• Section 10(1): Subject to the provisions of sections 5 and 6(a), no person may operate or play a radio, television set, gramophone, recording device, drum, musical instrument, sound amplifier or similar device producing, reproducing or amplifying sound, or allow it to be operated or played, in a public place, if the noise level, measured at any point which may be occupied by a member of the public or at one metre from the source of the sound, exceeds 95dBA, unless permission has been obtained from the municipality.
• Disturbing Noise: No person may make, produce or cause a disturbing noise, or allow it to be made, produced or caused by any person, animal, machine, device or apparatus or any combination thereof. The definition of a disturbing noise is one that exceeds the ambient sound level measured continuously at the same measuring point by 7 dBA or more.

At around 9:30 pm during my and the Longhair’s conversations with Chris and Jaco down at the NMB Stadium we were told by both that the guidelines given to them by the Municipality for the event was that the noise level was not allowed to exceed 65 decibels on the perimeter of the stadium.

Both assured us that they had done readings which indicated 61 decibels.

I disagree vehemently with their readings and also question why the municipality allows this continued flouting of our own By-Laws?

Evidence from the image below shows that decibel readings of the noise from the stadium taken from my porch indicated a peak noise level of 82 decibels at over one kilometre away from the stadium. PLEASE NOTE: this reading was taken before the REAL noise started.

Suffice to say that the Longhair and her apprentice spent a sleepless night until 11:45 when the music was finally switched off, despite many complaints to 10111 by neighbours who could be seen giving up, switching lights on and gazing with mute desperate appeal at the stadium as we waited for the noise to cease.

I am wondering if the stadium or the municipality will compensate me if the Apprentice fails Matric or if the Longhair falls asleep at the wheel of her car on the way to work and has a fatal accident?

If you feel that your rights have been trampled on by a neighbour with regards to noise pollution you may report it to the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality 24 hour contact centre at 0800 20 50 50.

See also: Noise Pollution – Your rights as a neighbour

See also: Yes, This is a threat

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE

Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.

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