Residents brace for noisy weekend

WITH the impending Vodacom Durban July celebrations this weekend, ward councillor Martin Meyer is urging residents to report bylaw violations like excessive noise and loud music going on past 2am.

Councillor Meyer said the July weekend was by far the busiest and noisiest one of the year for the ward and although he welcomed the July event, and the economic benefits to the city, he condemned the bylaw violations that unfortunately often go with it.

“I therefore what to make residents aware that there will be various events all weekend, starting on Friday. There will obviously be events at Greyville, with various concerts seemingly going on until the early hours on Saturday. There is also a Fact Durban Rocks event at People's Park. History has shown us that these concerts tend to go on past the allowed time. Again I welcome events and concerts, as long as they adhere to the bylaws and respect the residents of the area,” he said.

Meyer said Florida Road was usually also a hive of activity during the July with a massive increase in patrons and noise. He said he had not yet been able to confirm whether the event at the park at the intersection of Gordon and Florida Roads was happening, who granted permission and the impact would be on the area.

He said it was unfortunate the organisers had been granted permission from the City to host these events which and often carried on until the early hours of the morning. He said councillors are not informed beforehand of such applications, and were not involved in the granting of permission.

“Once they have permission, there is not much I can do regarding the problem. It is with this in mind that Councillor Shaun Riley and I had a motion earlier this year to get the city to limit the impact of these events on residents. Unfortunately this was voted down by the majority party. I will however continue to engage with the city, law enforcement and organisers to try and prevent chaos,” he said.

To do this, Meyer said he would need help from residents and encouraged them to contact Metro Police on 031 361 0000 if there was excessive noise and loud music later than 2am. Residents must insist on a reference number from the call centre, and forward the reference number and time of call to Councillor Meyer by email to: ward27@ethekwini.org, so he will have proof of the extent of the problem.

“Again I want to stress that myself, like the majority of residents of the ward, are not against the July, nor any other event, as I realise the benefits for the ward and the city. But it is possible to have wonderful, beneficial events while at the same time respecting residents and adhering to the bylaws. This is what I will continue to strive for,” said Meyer.