Efforts to cut noise impact

O-week organisers have pulled out all the stops to keep the number of noise complaints down, but that did not stop five people complaining after Tuesday night's toga party.

Otago University Students' Association had been hoping for a repeat of last year, when there were only six noise complaints.

Events and communications manager Dan Hendra said in order to keep complaints down, OUSA had sent out flyers to the most affected areas - which included Waverley, some of Ravensbourne and Opoho - to let people know when loud events were on and when they would finish.

''That's just so people are not just lying there thinking 'When is it going to end','' Mr Hendra said.

Having five noise complaints from the toga party was a little disappointing considering the effort it had put in.

''We are doing all we can to minimise the impact by warning people and we hope that Dunedin can get behind the Orientation as it is just one week.''

The efforts used to keep noise complaints down were introduced last year after there were 58 noise complaints during O-Week in 2012.

''Our first year in the stadium taught us a lot and each time we learn more about what we can do from safety right through to noise.''

This showed in the ''dramatic'' drop in complaints last year.

The OUSA was also keen to thank people who lived in the affected areas.

''We really appreciate it, unlike other promoters who just come in and use and abuse, we really value that we are allowed to do this.''

The music events being held during O-Week at the stadium this year, included the toga party, Chet Faker tonight and Six60 tomorrow. The O-Week after-party, on March 6, was also being held at the stadium and like Chet Faker and Six60 it would finish at midnight.

Mr Hendra was keen to let people know music events would not start at full volume and levels would change through the night.

The number of complaints made over last year's O-Week events were comparable to the number made at other concerts held at the stadium, including Elton John and the Winery Tour.

vaughan.elder@odt.co.nz

Add a Comment

 

Advertisement