Resolve neighbourly noise dispute with softball bat, couple told

Keeping fraying tempers under control is hard enough when you are living with noisy neighbours, but a Ngaruawahia woman is astounded to have been advised by a noise control officer to approach them armed with a softball bat.

Belt St resident Eileen Blissett and her husband Roy have lodged "over 200 complaints" with the Waikato District Council about noisy neighbours over a two-year period (including five in one night). But now they are equally concerned about the officers who act on their complaints.

The officer who allegedly advised them to resolve matters with a softball bat worked for Armourguard.

The Blissetts have a taped conversation with the noise control officer who explained he couldn't act if he didn't hear the noise himself.

On the tape, the officer recounts how his son's neighbours once had a party that went on for three days. So his son popped over and threatened them with a softball bat.

"That's what you really need to do with old Charlie (the neighbour). Smash the old gate down and... sometimes you make a threat, make a promise."

They also allege that a noise control officer who has attended many of their call-outs is hard of hearing.

Waikato District Council chief executive Gavin Ion said of the Blissetts' 26 complaints in the past six months, four were adjudged to involve excessive noise, and 17 times Armourguard contractors found no noise when they arrived.

It was trying "very hard" to resolve issues, he said. Meetings had been held with Mrs Blissett and police, while Armourguard had been asked to investigate its practices.

"We have not heard the tape, so it is difficult for me to make any comment on that, but we have raised the matter with Armourguard," Mr Ion said. "We do not condone violence."

No other complaints have been lodged by residents in the same street as the Blissetts.

Armourguard said the nature of its contract with the council precluded it from commenting.

- NZPA