Noise barrier decision disappointing – ARC

The Auckland Regional Council is disappointed that the Environment Court on Friday ordered the ARC to remove the acoustic barrier between the Regional Botanic Gardens and the southern motorway.

The Environment Court ruled that the acoustic barrier be removed within 42 days, following an application by local residents. The residents claimed that the noise barrier reflected ounced motorway noise into their properties.

The ARC erected the barrier to reduce motorway noise in the Regional Botanic Gardens for the benefit of the Gardens’ 900,000 visitors each year.

“We have acknowedged that residents have concerns and we have obtained and used the best specialist advice available throughout the project and endeavoured to respond to the local community’s concerns,” said ARC Parks Committee chairman Bill Burrill.

“We have been working with the residents towards a win-win situation. We have just received a consent from Manukau City to put a noise aborbent cladding on the wall to further reduce motorway noise,” said Cr Burrill.

“We’re disappointed that the Court’s decision has come before we have had the opportunity to try the noise absorbent cladding. We are confident that the cladding would alleviate residents’ concerns,” said Cr Burrill.

The noise barrier was erected with consent from Manukau City. Since the barrier has been installed, Manukau City issued the ARC with a letter indicating that the ARC is complying with the consent.

The ARC is considering its position following the judge’s decision.

© Scoop Media