Samantha Motion: The scourge of suburban moaners

Is calling noise control on a community event necessary? Photo / Getty Images

I live in one of those subdivisions where the houses sit cheek-by-jowl, our bathroom metres from someone else's bedroom.

Ubiquitous double glazing is the only thing allowing us all to make eye contact when we meet at the mailbox.

But even so, a light summer breeze has carried the odd preferably private sound over the fences - a flush here, an argument there.

On one mortifying occasion, the sound of a couple partaking in some... afternoon delight.

And, of course, we all share in the experience of the outdoor soundscape of our neighbourhood: dogs barking, children squealing, mowers mowing, jovial dinner parties, 2am burnouts.

I'm not complaining, this is life in the suburbs and I knew what kind of neighbourhood I was making a home in.

There is a term for people moving into an area and complaining about noisy or smelly or otherwise unappealing things that were there first: reverse sensitivity.

The term pops up in the provisions for a recently approved District Plan Change in Rotorua that rezones farmland for - one day, hopefully - some 790 new houses in the Pukehangi Heights area.

Not too far from that area is the Paradise Valley Raceway.

The risk of reverse sensitivity is obvious (Western Springs, never forget), but the provisions say the design of the development should "reduce the potential for reverse sensitivity to the speedway and achieve an appropriate noise environment for residents".

Kudos for getting out in front of the issue but hopefully any eventual buyers also do their due diligence on living with any speedway noise not dealt with by the design.

Last week, the organiser of a beach volleyball tournament held for years on Mount Maunganui's main beach was slapped with a warning over excessive noise after a series of complaints.

He understood the complainers were residents living nearby.

It's gotten so bad he thinks the event may have to leave the Mount, and his supporters have been quick to label complainers whingers and moaners.

This is perhaps a little harsh. People running events should stay inside the rules and it's reasonable to hold them to account.

But, at the same time, come on. Let's be real.

We're talking about what has long been a famous and popular surf beach - hardly an oasis of quiet.

And the event is temporary and in the daytime - bringing visitors to the city, putting on a good time for locals and benefitting businesses in the area.

So if people want to call noise control on their neighbour's loud Thursday night party, they should go for it.

But when it comes to community events with wide public benefits, they should consider putting the phone down, putting off the fun police.

Maybe close the windows and turn up the telly or go visit a friend for the day.

Better yet: head down to the beach and join the fun.