Council Committee Moves on Set Nets

The Community and Environment Committee of the Rodney District Council has today voted unanimously on a notice of motion that may lead to the banning of set nets at Arkles Bay on the Whangaparaoa Peninsula.

The motion called for the prevention of set netting to the mean low water mark. Several councillors questioned whether such prevention, if passed as a by-law, would be legally enforceable.

Mayor John Law, who voted for the motion, says he did so to allow due process to go forward so that issues such as legal jurisdiction could be clarified.

“There is a lot to go through here. There is of course the suggested threat to public safety, and perhaps there is a case for further evidence on that.

“Then there are such issues as human rights. I think the committee has taken the proper step in allowing the process to continue so that these issues can be clarified.”

The Council is yet to announce when it will debate the committee’s decision, but a council spokesman said it was likely to be included as an item in the first available agenda.

ENDS.

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