ARC Welcomes Public Consultation On Botanic Gardens Noise Barrier

April 19, 2002

The Auckland Regional Council is welcoming a Manukau City Council decision to call for public submissions on whether a layer of noise absorbent cladding should be added to the Botanic Gardens noise barrier.

The ARC has applied for a resource consent to attach the layer of cladding to the existing barrier between the Auckland Regional Botanic Gardens and the Southern Motorway. Manukau City's hearing commissioners today decided that they would publicly notify the consent application.

Regional Council Parks and Heritage Committee chairman Bill Burrill says the ARC is relaxed about that process and will play its part.

"We have been working closely with Manukau City Council through the consent application process and we are happy to continue in the spirit of partnership and co-operation," he says.

Cr Burrill says the decision on whether to publicly notify was Manukau's to make and the ARC didn't make a request one way or the other.

Since the noise barrier was erected in February 2001, some local residents have complained of noise reflected off it into their properties on the opposite side of the motorway. The cladding is designed to minimise any such effects.

The ARC Parks and Heritage Committee resolved last December "that the identified best practice option of attaching a high performance noise absorbent cladding, of visually appropriate colour and texture to the barrier, including planting of additional vines to create a denser foliage coverage to further improve the visual appearance be approved and resource consent be sought from Manukau City Council."

Representatives of the local community spoke at that meeting, which was held following several public meetings and meetings of a focus group set up to debate the issue in Manurewa.

Cr Burrill says he is sure the community will welcome the opportunity to make submissions on the current application.

"Obviously, the public will understand that the notification relates to the attachment of the acoustic cladding only. Manukau City Council has confirmed to the ARC in writing that the barrier complies fully with its existing consent so that is not up for debate during this process," Cr Burrill says

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