Rollegoli causes noise disruption

Rollegoli, a new rollerskating and kids party venue located on Main Road in Bryanston, has caused much frustration for residents, who have filed high noise levels and zoning issue complaints.

Ward 102 councillor David Potter stated, “The matter of Rollegoli has again recently been brought to my attention with another complainant reporting unacceptable noise levels. The noise issue is what is of concern to the neighbours. Next to this site is a large multi-unit complex [Antigua] and residential housing. I have last week requested the Development Planning Unit of the City to provide me with an update on the various complaints logged with regards to the land use and complaints.

“Whilst a specific land use may have been approved, a property user may not cause a disturbance to the neighbourhood. I await further feedback from the Development Planning Unit. Randburg police are also aware of the noise complaints.”

A resident, who wished to remain anonymous, is unhappy with the noise levels emanating from Rollegoli. “For the past 10 months, I have been subjected to non-stop music and noise over the weekend and public holidays. The music normally starts on a Friday afternoon or 9am on Saturday and only stops at 9pm that evening and repeats on Sunday from 9am until 5pm.”

The resident added that besides the music, Rollegoli also has very loud announcements over its PA system which can be heard from all corners of the property.

“I have reason to believe that they are operating outside their trading hours lodged with the Johannesburg Council and, in their application, stated they would not be playing any music.”

Lansdowne Investment Properties, property agents for Antigua, have acknowledged the noise complaints and have received a petition with more than 30 signatures from Antigua residents regarding the disturbances.

Rollegoli owner, Claudia Feige said, “The volume of the music we play at our popular roller rink/party venue Rollegoli is relatively soft. Our sound system and speakers are small entry level units bearing our neighbours in mind. Our speakers are below the perimeter wall level and well away from the complaining neighbours’ boundary walls, facing inside the rink, in order to contain the music within the rink.

“On a Monday there is no music because we are closed. Also, when the rink is empty, which is mainly the case during the week when children are at school, the music stays off. On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, we close at 6pm. On Fridays and Saturdays the music stops at 9pm.”

Sandton Chronicle is in possession of an internal memo by the City of Johannesburg, which states that “The property is being used contrary to its zoning for non-compliance to approved consent granted, failure to submit a site development plan…”

The memo continues “…We require a penalty tariff to be enforced and the property to be flagged for illegal land use.”

Spokesperson for Randburg Police Station, Stanley Bopane, confirmed that police were aware of the situation.

“We are aware of the noise complaints coming from neighbours of Rollegoli. An official inspection by the Gauteng Department of Environmental Health and Safety will take place within the next few days.”

At the time of publication, the Department of Environmental Health and Safety was conducting an official noise level inspection.

Details: 079 888 3514.