Will the Noise Ever Stop?
www.MyPE.co.za: In
our last report in September 2009, we mentioned that Paarlcoldset
intended to extend their printing factory along the William Moffett
Expressway, and would incorporate solid sound insulation to try resolve
the the printing noise problem affecting the nearby residents at night.
It was estimated back then that construction would begin at the end of
2009, and would be completed in the first half of 2010. Residents have
been waiting ever since with bated breath, expecting an end to this
ugly problem that we’ve endured since 1999.
It’s now middle of March and, sadly, no construction has begun, not one
brick has been laid, and a scheduled starting date has not even been
set. On top of it, no concrete reason explaining this huge delay has
been provided. It’s not an exaggeration to say that this project could
be delayed by at least a year, or worse, indefinitely. Looks like
residents will have to endure another winter season with frequent
westerly winds carrying the sound (audible at night) into our homes.
What exactly is this sound one might ask? A 10 second sample
can be heard by
clicking here – a rapid repetitive droning. Quite
annoying when one is trying to sleep.
We sometimes wonder if the company in question has truly understood the
extent of agony that this sound is causing humans. Big corporations
generally pursue the following priority system, and it goes like
this: “money first, all else (including well-being of people)
comes second”. Obviously, companies need to make a profit in order to
survive – no argument. But when human beings suffer, and when the fix
requires big money, the above priority system becomes a formidable
gauntlet.
It is very sad and disheartening that our own municipality
(Environmental Services) have practically abandoned residents in
favour
of industry.
Their credo is simple “industry: green light; residents: sorry, game
over, thanks for playing”. Oddly enough, the municipality were more
than happy to step up in 2005/6 and serve Media24 (management company
at the time) with a noise nuisance notice. After getting said company
to mount insulation boards on the factory’s main wall, the municipality
washed their hands of the matter. It didn’t matter to them that money
wasn’t spent to solve the actual core problem. It was a patch job: the
droning continues to this day. Makes one wonder who profited from this
deal?? We invite anyone from the public to come and have a
good listen at our homes, and see whether this awful sound problem has
been satisfactorily handled.
And, to make things interesting: residential and commercial
construction has already begun in the Fairview area, which is adjacent
to the printing factory grounds. Sooner or later, a couple of houses
will be built fairly close to the printing factory. Future home-owners
are in for a surprise
Sometimes, given the odds we residents face, it feels we are in a
similar pot to David fighting Goliath, or the Dalai Lama versus China,
climate change versus apathy, to name a few.
Even so, we’ll continue to speak out because if a printing company can
make noise then so can we.
Listen to the Noise
Port Elizabeth Budget Accommodation
Go to:MyPE.co.za
