Residents up in arms over noise factor

The number of clubs and pubs playing loud music including weekdays is escalating day by day. Residents from various areas in Centurion have been complaining about the same frustrations and these are becoming  the norm for many.

Rekord has previously published various articles whereby residents complained about the loud music and noise coming from various clubs and pubs in Centurion. In a recent complaint made by a resident from Valhalla who’d like to remain anonymous, he said that a pub that is just a block way from his house, Roosters Pub & Grill in Hekla Road, continues to play loud music on weekends and sometimes even weekdays.

He said besides the noise that’s coming from cars and motorbikes into his house, the pub’s noise can raise the dead. “Sometimes people are fighting screaming and shouting outside the pub as well. This pub is a block from my house. There are also two other pubs in a 700m radius and if I did not drive to see if those pubs were there, I would not have believed it. The music level is not nearly as loud, even if you sit outside the front door of that pub. I strongly feel that this place should be shut down. No one is going to tell me that the people staying close to the pub are happy with the noise.”

Barend van Der Merwe from the city council who previously commented on the same issue raised by residents in Centurion, said business owners need to comply with strict laws and regulations. He appealed to those complaining about the noise to supply the city council with the names of their areas they are residing at in order to take further measures.

Ward 66 councillor Ina Strijdom said she is aware of the complaints from residents  regarding the noise factor. She said she took the matter up with the owner who undertook to turn the music down and would also request the bikes visiting the pub to respect residents in the area when arriving and leaving.

“According to the law, noise disturbance is no longer applicable and can only be reported after 22:00. I have also escalated the matter to the metro to take necessary action.” Rekord contacted the owner of the pub, Herman Grobler who said that he has always been available when anybody wanted to make a complaint of any kind. “The same policy stands to this day and anybody must feel free to come and discuss any matter that annoys them, with me. The problem as far as I can see, is only when ten to twenty bikes arrive and leave together causing loud noise in the process. Sometimes some individuals rev their bikes, but never on my premises. For bikes driving on the streets at night I cannot take responsibility for. I would like to help and talk to the people if they are my customers, but the streets are the domains of the metro where by law I cannot intervene. When there are problems or transgressions at my establishment I will always put it right and I therefore give an open invitation to all the complainants to come forward so that we may solve the matter immediately. I myself am a member of this community since 1989 and therefore respects their point of view,” he said.