The great tsunami siren debate is back before city council with the Papamoa Progressive Association challenging the authority to take note of last week's informal siren test.
In council chambers with a public gallery packed with progressive association members yesterday, president Steve Morris congratulated council for initially changing its mind on tsunami sirens, and asked that they reconsider the type of sirens being contemplated.
Papamoa Progressive Association president Steve Morris next to the 'air raid' type sirens.
At present the electronic sirens company Meerkat is undertaking the resource consent and design phase of the project.
Next month the council is expected to make its second decision – which manufacturer gets to supply the sirens.
The association says it is better to have fewer sirens that are more robust and can be heard, as opposed to Meerkat's proposed 60 electronic sirens on 10 meter poles that Steve says residents have not been able to hear during tests.
Steve says the maximum reading taken from a siren at Papamoa was 111.6 decibels - a level he says a councillor and staff member assured him would pop eardrums.
Councillor David Stewart admitted to telling the Papamoa Progressive Association meeting that, based on the advice he had received, that level of sound would damage hearing.
He denied saying eardrums would pop.
Steve says if the carter ‘air raid' type sirens were going to be excluded because their noise levels exceed those permitted in the city plan, then a lot of other sounds would have to be excluded as well, things like thunderstorms, and a variety of traffic noises.
The reply was that car horns, ambulance sirens, and heavy traffic, which also have a decibel reading of 100 decibels or more are in the road zone, and don't require consent under the city plan.
After the public forum was over councillor Murray Guy said they should be seriously looking at the alternate siren types.
'Perhaps we haven't made the right decision,” says Murray.
Councillor Catherine Stewart says the sound levels the council set for the tsunami sirens was at such a low level the council was limiting the providers.
Mayor Stuart Crosby says another issue is there is no national tsunami siren standard, and no understanding from one local authority to another of what a tsunami warning siren should actually sound like.
Staff advice is once the first stage of the contract is completed, the council can make any decision.
Council City Services group manager Ian McDonald says there will be a full report on the various issues for when the sirens issue is next discussed.
10 comments
Split eardrums and LIFE please
Posted on 30-10-2012 09:28 | By The Tomahawk Kid
Ha ha - what a laugh - and I would if it wasnt so serious. At least people with split eardrums would still be alive! The council on the other hand are doing the equivalent of "winking at a pretty girl in the DARK!" Going through the exercise despite the fact what they are doing is a complete waste of time because nobody will hear their sirens. Sign me up for split eardrums and LIFE please (as opposed to the councils politically correct DEATH option
Who exactly will pay for the sirens?
Posted on 30-10-2012 10:04 | By Phailed
Will it be those who have chosen to build their houses close to sea level, or will even those who wisely built at higher levels pay? But one thing's sure, if you're going to stake your life on sirens it's better to be able to hear them.
Posted on 30-10-2012 10:22 | By crazysteed
Hmmm its seams to me Meerkat are getting a resource consent does that mean that TCC Muppets have made the decision.
Crosby has no understanding?
Posted on 30-10-2012 10:41 | By wreck1080
My understanding is you put the biggest baddest and loudest sirens you can get your hands on. Maybe Crosby lives in the hills and does not want to be disturbed in the event of a tsumani. That could explain his wish for quiet sirens.
right tone
Posted on 30-10-2012 11:19 | By hapukafin
its not neccessary the loudest sound that gets heard. we all know what a siren sounds like and it can be heard in all winds and weather conditions unlike a electronic noise
Perplexed??
Posted on 30-10-2012 11:23 | By penguin
Why is it that TCC is finding it so difficult to come to a decision based on practical reality when other councils in NZ have happily gone ahead and chosen the air raid type siren? It raises the question of competency. Incidentally, I have stood beneath local fire brigade sirens in various towns and my hearing is fine. Maybe the 'deafness” affects council only.
who pays ??
Posted on 30-10-2012 13:43 | By vinniz
just in case you live above the 3 metre sea level, im sure some time during your travels either to the beach or downtown you might be closer, heaven lets hope nothing happens then. we may not all be home when a close tsunami happens. It wasnt all just progressive association members at the meeting, i for one was from the general public. To all those who have a comment to make, the council are going ahead with a siren system, lets hope the most effective and cost efficient option is used. And lets hope civil defence and the Govt can put a national standard in place. Im sure it not that hard to do....I'd do it for free..
Consent madness
Posted on 30-10-2012 19:45 | By Papamoaner
This is getting confusing. So is it true then, that the air raid sirens could be installed at roadways to avoid obstructive bureaucracy? If so, that's the obvious thing to do. That's also where the power connection is easiest.
Who triggers the siren?
Posted on 30-10-2012 20:18 | By dgk
I didn't hear the second test at all from downtown the Mount. So I reckon it's just sour grapes from an unsuccessful tenderer, who is now trying to railroad the council into selecting them anyway. Anyway, who cares about the volume if they aren't triggered properly or if noone knows what to do if they hear that particular siren? Which is just one of several heard in any given day. Was that the tsunami siren, or just a car alarm, or just a fancy car horn, or something else?
To dgk
Posted on 22-11-2012 12:41 | By Papamoaner
Next time it might pay to remove your pop music headphones. The siren was heard loudly from the top of the mount. That's a long way from the siren, and there was a strong wind blowing in the other direction. You seem to be one of a few who didn't hear it, so there has to be another reason. Negativity springs to mind.
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