Noise from Manly Wharf to be Analysed

Manly Council will seek to install noise analysing black boxes in Manly Cove resident’s living rooms to investigate what’s been described as “boom boom” music coming from Manly Wharf.

This comes in response to ongoing complaints from residents who live across from the wharf.

Manly Cove resident Roger James said he and fellow locals formed the Manly Cove Alliance and had received written complaints from 34 people on the issue.  “We have a lot of problems with noise late at night, more specifically the music with its  constant base beat,” he said.

According to Cr Cathy Griffin part of the problem is that the cove acts as an amplifier.  “It’s unique in its location because it juts out into the water,” she said. “It exacerbates the problem as the sound from the wharf refracts off the water and actually intensifies".

Council general manager Henry Wong said noise analysers generally remained in a home for more than 21 days and measured standard background noise as well as determining how many decibels above the norm an incident was.

Meantime, Mr Wong said residents should call council’s Night Owl Rangers to ask them to make a record of the noise from their homes.

Obviously the summer period when crowds at the Wharf's various restaurants are larger, and venues are busier more nights of the week, is the time when the noise issue can be  greater. Site lessees of Manly Wharf, TMG Developments property manager Chris Coore , said he took noise complaints seriously. 

Residents are awaiting advice from the Council when the noise analysing boxes will be installed.

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