By Mark Squibb
A Paradise business is seeking approval to set off loud, controlled bangs upwards of 20 times a day to scare off seagulls which have allegedly been diving at employees and making a mess of the property, but council is hesitant to approve the application, citing the potential impact on neighbours.
Councillor Sheldon Antle, during council’s March 31 committee of the whole meeting, brought attention to the application from Superior Pipe, located at 1345 Topsail Road, which wants to use propane cannons that produce loud, timed blasts to scare away pests. The blasts are between 110 and 120 decibels loud.
Antle said aggressive seagulls are diving at employees during nesting season, and the business has had to spend a considerable amount to clean up bird droppings, in addition to $10,000 on non-lethal deterrence, both visual and auditory, which have had little effect.
The business has contracted Rentokil-Terminix to alleviate the problem, and the pest control company has recommended the use of cannons.
“Propane cannons are designed for safe, controlled outdoor use and are commonly utilized in industrial and agricultural settings,” noted Antle. “When operated in accordance with manufacturing guidelines, these systems present minimal risks while delivering effective results.”
If approved, the application would be good up until September. To start, the cannons would be fired 20 times a day between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Should the application be approved, the company would notify neighbouring businesses and alert the community at large via social media.
The recommendation of staff was to approve the use of the cannons. Councillors, however, were not so sure.
Antle allowed that while the cannons are approved for use in industrial settings and while he understood the predicament the business was in, the noise volume of a cannon, which he described as a “muted thunderclap,” or shotgun blast, was a cause for concern.
“My issue is Elizabeth Park,” said Antle. “The proximity to Elizabeth Park is very concerning to me. Even limiting the time and use and position of the cannon, I feel residents in Elizabeth Park would be very sensitive to 20 muted thunderclaps throughout the run of a day.”
He said the cannons are in use at Robin Hood Bay, and to great effect.
The councillor also noted that should council grant approval for the use of the cannons, that approval can be revoked if necessary.
Councillor Glen Carew echoed similar concerns.
“One hundred and twenty decibels is pretty loud,” said Carew. “I have a bit of experience as a musician and audio engineer. If you’ve gone to a concert anywhere locally, outside, the requirement is 100 decibels at 100 feet…. And if you’ve been at a concert, you know it’s pretty loud.”
The councillor asked if the permit, if approved, could be revoked immediately should the need arise.
Antle said it could.
Councillor Erin Furlong also expressed concern, given the proximity of neighbouring homes and businesses.
“These cannons, as far as I can tell, are used in industrial and agricultural areas, more so than anywhere else,” said Furlong. “I don’t know if I would consider where this is as an industrial area. So, I’d like to keep that in mind as well. I think about the residents, and their right to live peacefully. I also have the same concerns I had when we were talking about fireworks recently, which is individuals who are not neurotypical, individuals with autism or dementia living in the area, and how it will impact those individuals.”
Furlong asked if there was any information available on how pets and other wildlife might be impacted.
Antle said staff would have to do a little more digging on the potential impact on other animals.
Furlong then asked whether Rentokil-Terminix had determined the root cause of the problem of the seagull infestation, suggesting that otherwise the propane cannons may simply serve as a Band-Aid.
Antle said seagulls have been nesting in the areas for years, and it may be difficult to root them out altogether.
Councillor Tommy Maher pointed out the town’s one and only motel, Crossroads Inn &Suites, is just a few roads over.
“I really think it’s going to be a nuisance noise, for not only residents and businesses, but the general area of Elizabeth Park and St. Anne’s Park,” said Maher.
The councillor said he would like to know the decibel levels of the cannons used at the Robin Hood Bay Landfill, which he described as a massive bang, and compare the two.
The Shoreline paid a visit to the property last Tuesday, and at least three seagulls flew overhead in the space of just a few minutes. A representative of the company said it would not be commenting on the issue.
Rather than move the application to the next public meeting for a vote, council agreed that staff would gather more information.
Deputy Mayor Kimberley Street, meanwhile, declared a potential conflict of interest, as her brother-in-law works for the business in question.
