The high-frequency sound is coming from a “bird imitator” at a Scarborough hillside mansion dubbed “The Rocks” which was reportedly bought earlier this year for more than $9 million.
Locals have described the high-pitched sound as being like a “dog whistle” and “horrible sounding”.
A post on a community Facebook page asked if anyone knew what the “screeching... ear-piercing sound” was.
Responders quickly identified it was a seagull deterrent coming from The Rocks house which neighbours a seagull colony.
“It’s bloody horrible sounding... needs to go! Ruins the whole spot,” one person said.
The architectural masterpiece on Whitewash Head Rd, Scarborough, was searching for buyers in the $8m-plus bracket. Photo / Supplied
After receiving a complaint, a council officer was sent to the property to make inquiries.
“Upon investigation, we found that a property had installed a device, but this only activates when birds land on their sea-facing patio,” said Head of Regulatory Compliance, Tracey Weston.
“It is not loud but does emit a high-frequency sound. No further action was taken as the complainant does not live in the vicinity and the device does not activate regularly enough to be described as a nuisance under the District Plan noise rules.”
The homeowner installed the device to keep the seagulls away. Photo / George Heard
Weston said that when the officer attended, no noise from the device could be heard.
“It is also a site that can have high background noise levels with wave and wind noise so it may be difficult to assess even when it does activate,” she said.
“Any assessment would need to factor in the time of day and background noise when the noise was occurring, and its duration and frequency of occurrence. It is very unlikely that a brief and infrequent noise even if it was somewhat tonal would be considered unreasonable.”
The house borders a seagull colony. Photo / George Heard
Property owner Hamish Doig told the Press he was “genuinely surprised” that the noise, designed to keep seagulls away from his property, had sparked complaints.
Doig, managing director of Colliers International, said that seagulls “carry disease” and he didn’t want them “standing or sitting on my outdoor table and pooing up on our terraces”.
‘The Rocks’ sold off-market in April and broke Christchurch’s house price record, OneRoofreported.
Harcourts Holmwood agent Grant Chappell, who brokered the deal, said he was unable to reveal the exact sale price but confirmed it “broke $9m”.
Chappell described the property as being located in the “most magical setting”.
“You don’t look at another house, you don’t see any other roofs, you just look out and you just see the ocean and the beach. It’s a very, very magical site and approximately 2000sqm in size so it’s a big site and it’s got a magnificent garden.”
