A former Whakatane Councillor is calling for a change to by-laws, to deal with excessive noise in rural areas.

The property of Awakeri resident Brian Shaw adjoins a kiwifruit orchard.

He says noisy "bird scaring" devices are being used to keep them from the crop.

Mr Shaw says the noise is excessive and it's time for greater restrictions to be put in place.

He says he chaired the District Plan change in 2001, so he knows what they're doing now is quite legal.

Mr Shaw says the plans have to be reactive not proactive, because you can't address a problem until it arrives.