Noise levels at a controversial community motocross track are under assessment.
The Lawrence Bike Club track in Wetherstons Gully became a source of local friction in July last year after complaints about noise polarised residents of the small Clutha township.
The complaints came to light during public consultation on the Clutha District Council’s Lawrence-Tuapeka reserve management plan, leading to the question of potential track regulation dominating submissions.
Mr Weatherall has provided an initial report on his activities to the council’s regulatory and policy committee, which meets in Balclutha tomorrow.
In it, he says Christchurch consultancy Marshall Day Acoustics conducted noise testing on April 9, while 12 bikes used the track.
The testing was conducted with the full co-operation of the Lawrence Bike Club, the report says.
"As a critical part of valuing the community asset/use, we have recently undertaken a sound/noise monitoring programme ... operating in ideal conditions for such a programme over six hours.
"We had two control points and recorded over 10 reserve boundary and community locations. [This] will be a strong platform/baseline to develop reserve behaviour and compliance needed to achieve a workable outcome."
Mr Weatherall praised the community for its support of the investigation.
"I am continuing consultation with the community, adjacent landowners, working with clubs to establish a workable set of management behaviours/protocols/rules.
"To date, I have received excellent community support to the consultation being undertaken and we are continuing to develop a workable reserve management plan outcome."
Initial proposals in July’s draft plan included specific restrictions on the hours and days the track could be used.
Following community uproar, the council back-pedalled, saying all options remained open for discussion.
It is not clear whether time restrictions will form part of Mr Weatherall’s eventual proposals.
Council planning and regulatory group manager Ian McCabe said he expected the noise report by mid next month.
In the meantime, Mr Weatherall would continue consulting with the local community.
His final report is expected at the regulatory and policy committee meeting of June 9.
