18 January 2024

Media: Rotorua Daily Post

Topic: Eat Streat noise limits

Enquiry

Further to my inquiry about the noise complaint story, I have a couple more questions to add.

Could you please answer the following questions?

• Of the 14 Eat Streat noise complaints, how many named Urban Gusto specifically?
• Was the ENDs issued on the Saturday in question the only enforcement activity the council has taken regarding noise at Urban Gusto in the timeframe of those complaints, and, if not, what other actions has it taken?
• Urban Gusto claims the verbal and ENDs happened at the same time- ie in the same visit - which seems contrary to the standard process described. Can the council explain what happened?

The reporter was asked for more information on the incident she was referring to.

The noise complaint the reporter was referring to happened on Saturday, 6 January at 10.16pm and involved the Urban Gusto co-owner.

Response

We provided the following information:

The reporter was told we were unable to give a response by 4pm today on that specific incident as the staff member who would help with that information was not available. But she was given some general background information on noise complaints.

The following is information – so not an attributable comment/quotes but information you can use:

Generally, the majority of the noise complaints we receive are about activities on Eat Streat rather than a specific business. The noise control officer will review these complaints and give warnings or END notices (Excessive Noise Direction notice) as needed.

A noise control officer has some discretion in their role and if a business has received a previous END notice before, the officer can issue another warning immediately.