Post by Bruce on Dec 17, 2007 8:29:42 GMT 12
From
Queenstown school plan causes concern
Dec 16, 2007 7:03 PM
Plans to build a primary school on a site some 250 metres from Queenstown airport's main runway, are being described as ridiculous.
Parents are worried about noise levels, and the airport fears having a school for a neighbour will stand in the way of its expansion.
The official noise level is 55 decibels but the airport says that is misleading.
"A single event noise is between 95 to 99 decibels which is very loud. Kind of rock concert loudness," says Queenstown Airport Corporation spokesman Steve Sanderson.
There are around 40 of those a day plus hundreds of small planes and helicopters.
"Why subject our children to that level of noise, that level of fumes, potential accidents and danger to hearing when we don't have to. It's just a stupid decision," says parent Cath Gilmour.
History shows that health and safety concerns increase over time so it is going to be problematic for the airport and the Ministry of Education in the future.
The Ministry of Education plans to use sound insulation in its buildings but does that mean the windows and doors would have to be closed all the time and what about when children are outside?
The Ministry of Education was unavailable to comment.
Submissions on the decision to give up to 700 schoolchildren their education at the primary school has already closed. A decision will be made next year
Queenstown school plan causes concern
Dec 16, 2007 7:03 PM
Plans to build a primary school on a site some 250 metres from Queenstown airport's main runway, are being described as ridiculous.
Parents are worried about noise levels, and the airport fears having a school for a neighbour will stand in the way of its expansion.
The official noise level is 55 decibels but the airport says that is misleading.
"A single event noise is between 95 to 99 decibels which is very loud. Kind of rock concert loudness," says Queenstown Airport Corporation spokesman Steve Sanderson.
There are around 40 of those a day plus hundreds of small planes and helicopters.
"Why subject our children to that level of noise, that level of fumes, potential accidents and danger to hearing when we don't have to. It's just a stupid decision," says parent Cath Gilmour.
History shows that health and safety concerns increase over time so it is going to be problematic for the airport and the Ministry of Education in the future.
The Ministry of Education plans to use sound insulation in its buildings but does that mean the windows and doors would have to be closed all the time and what about when children are outside?
The Ministry of Education was unavailable to comment.
Submissions on the decision to give up to 700 schoolchildren their education at the primary school has already closed. A decision will be made next year
