Editorial: Compo not the answer

Noise from nearby works means a motel has had to close. Photo/Thinkstock

I HAVE the utmost sympathy for a local motel having to shut up shop for two days because of noise from nearby works.

Unwanted noise can drive you around the twist, so why would you put up with it if you were paying to stay somewhere?

Owners of the Astray Motel on Pukuatua St say they have been forced to close while electrical work is carried out on the neighbouring Telecom exchange building.

The noise is coming from a generator installed to supply power to the building while three 11,000 volt switches are replaced by Unison Networks.

Motel owners Frank Jeppersen and Sue Gibbison say they should be compensated at least $3500 for having to turn away customers for two days and a night.

Unison has said it won't pay compensation because it sets a dangerous precedent.

Although it's not what the motel wants to hear, it is the right response. Once compensation is paid, where does it stop? Pukuatua St is full of businesses. They could all go to Unison with their hands out.

From Unison's point of view, this work needs to be carried out and if it is faced with having to pay compensation, nothing would get done.

It's similar to the issues Lake Rd residents and businesses had during the lengthy four-laning and road reconstruction period.

Many of those businesses lost so much turnover, it put their futures in jeopardy. None of those businesses were paid compensation.

So while a noisy noise annoys, compensation can't be the answer.