Is there anything that spoils our city’s streets, beaches, reserves for you? This is the question Tauranga City Council is asking the community to help inform the review of four public places bylaws.
Council is reviewing these bylaws to make sure they tackle all the issues they need to, and that they meet the changing needs of a growing community. This includes looking into topics such as begging, rough sleeping, signs, tables and chairs on footpaths, activities on beaches, freedom camping, and alcohol-free areas.
Bylaws help ensure that people can enjoy public places safely and free from nuisance. They are special rules that apply in the Tauranga area only. Not complying with a bylaw can result in prosecutions, court-imposed fines and seizure of property. Bylaws are enforced by warranted Council staff or contractors, and by external agencies like the New Zealand Police.
The bylaws currently up for review are the Street Use and Public Places Bylaw, the Beaches Bylaw, the Freedom Camping Bylaw and the Liquor-free and Vehicle-free Zones in Public Places Bylaw.
Before making any changes to these bylaws, Council is gathering information from the community on any issues that spoil their enjoyment of Tauranga’s streets, beaches and reserves.
Residents are invited to have their say by Monday 12 March by completing a short survey at tauranga.govt.nz/publicplaces
Council will use the community’s input to prepare proposals to update the four bylaws, and develop options for consideration by elected members. The draft amended bylaws will then be submitted back to the community for formal consultation – likely in July 2018.