FLORIDA Road residents had to put up with another noisy Concert in the Park, given the green light by eThekwini Municipality, without giving local residents and ward councillor Martin Meyer notice that the concert was taking place.
According to Meyer, it was with shock and surprise that he learned late Friday afternoon that the Department of Parks Recreation and Culture had decided to host the concert on the corner of Florida and Gordon Roads.
“A similar concert was held last year, which caused massive outrage from residents in the area, and this was communicated clearly to the city who then indicated that they would rethink the suitability of this park for such an event. During last year the park was also made available to private individuals who held similar events, every time with a negative impact on residents, and this was explained to the department. It goes beyond understanding why the city itself would once again host an event like this in a park that is clearly not suitable,” said Meyer.
Meyer said contrary to popular belief, this park was situated in a residential area. There is an apartment building bordering the park, and another right opposite the park.
“The stage was set up in such a way that it was mere meters away from a residential building, and facing the other apartment building. The noise was so excessively loud that complaints were received from all over the area, some as far as three kilometres away,” he said.
Meyer said he had received more than 30 phone calls and double that amount of SMSs complaining about the excessive noise.
After the concert in 2013, Meyer made a call in local media to residents to contact him with negative and positive feedback on the concert. Not one letter of support was received.
Meyer said he kept contact with the official in charge at the venue, who at one point stated that turning the music down would defeat the purpose of the event.
“This clearly proves that this park is not suitable for such an event, if such high levels of noise is needed. Myself and the community welcome any initiative to promote all forms of culture in the ward, as long as it is done at a suitable venue. Ward 27 is lucky enough to have a totally suitable venue in the form of People’s Park which is not in a residential area, has more space and more parking and toilet facilities than the Gordon Road park. This too was pointed out to the city over an year ago,” said Meyer.
Meyer said many of these problems could have been prevented if he was consulted and informed about this event in good time, not at the close of business on Friday.
“Where the CPF, myself and the Florida Road community are trying to get the excessive noise pollution and bylaw violations in Florida Road under control, it sets a very bad example that the city itself is seen to violate these bylaws,” he said.
He said he would be meeting with the relevant department this week.
