Streamlined process for bus shelters

Ensuring bus shelters in North Shore City are attractive and handy will now be easier.

As part of its commitment to an effective transport system that caters for passengers' needs, the North Shore City Council has changed its District Plan to make it easier to provide well-designed and conveniently located bus shelters.

North Shore City's regulatory and hearings committee chairperson, Gary Holmes, says this streamlined process will reduce the cost and delays in building new bus shelters.

"The council will no longer have to apply for resource consent to approve new bus shelters but it will ensure that people who live nearby are properly consulted under the Local Government Act 2002," he says.

A public hearing was held earlier this month to consider people's views on the proposed change (Plan Change 4 - Improving provisions for bus shelters) to North Shore City's District Plan.

Community concerns focused on the location, design and impact of bus shelters that are allowed in the District Plan.

Councillor Holmes says the decision gives more certainty to local residents and passengers.

"The council has set stringent controls to ensure new bus shelters are attractive and blend into the local landscape, and that they do not distract motorists."

The plan change does not allow any general commercial advertising on new bus shelters. Passenger transport information such as timetables would be easy to read for people using the bus shelter or passing by, but should not distract motorists or nearby residents. It also ensures a maximum size for new bus shelters; design, colour and finishes that are in keeping with the neighbourhood and do not distract motorists; limits on lighting and reflectivity levels and sufficient space for passengers and pedestrians to move safely and conveniently around bus shelters.

People who made a submission will be sent a copy of the decision and it can also be viewed on the council's website www.northshorecity.govt.nz. Appeals on the decision can be made by anyone who originally made a submission within 30 working days of receiving the decision.

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